Costa Rica international Jairo Arrieta (pictured) joined D.C. United on January 14, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. United announced Monday that it has acquired Costa Rica international Jairo Arrieta from Orlando City SC in exchange for an International Roster Slot for the 2015 Major League Soccer season. The former Columbus Crew forward was selected by Orlando City SC in the sixth round of the 2014 Major League Soccer expansion draft last month.
Arrieta has spent the last three MLS seasons in Columbus, scoring 17 goals in 67 appearances. In his first season with the Crew in 2012, he finished with nine goals (tied for most on the team) in 18 matches including three multi-goal games.
"Jairo will provide us with important depth this year at the forward position,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a smart player who finds great spots on the field, and we like his work ethic and commitment. We welcome him to the D.C. United family.”
The 31-year-old began his professional career in 2004 with Brujas of the Costa Rican first division and scored 11 goals in 56 matches, before moving to Deportivo Saprissa in 2006. In five seasons with the Monstruo Morado, Arrieta notched 45 goals in 161 appearances in domestic and CONCACAF play, winning five league titles.
Internationally, he has scored five goals in 16 appearances for Costa Rica, also representing the Central American nation at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Arrieta was the top scorer in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana, netting two goals in helping the host Ticos to the title. Also, in 2013, he played in four CONCACAF Gold Cup games and scored one goal.
D.C. United will face Alajuelense in the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, opening their two-leg series on February 26 in Arrieta’s native Costa Rica.
