CARSON, California — Paul Arriola went for the shot, he scored and then it was time to deliver a message. "F**K CANCER" read the shirt he lifted his jersey to reveal.
This one means more to me than anything. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/z8x9G7EMIA
— Paul Arriola (@PaulArriola) May 15, 2022
"My mother-in-law is dying of cancer," the FC Dallas winger said, holding back tears, after the 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy. "Today could be the last time she ever sees me play. So, for me it was tough, but I wanted to send the message not just to her but to everybody to keep fighting."
Arriola also lost his grandfather to cancer in 2019.
You will be missed so much Grandpa! When the odds were against you, you still fought cancer every single day and lived life the best you could. Thanks for the horrible but great dad/grandpa jokes! RIP Gramps❤️ pic.twitter.com/rr6LG0uyg1
— Paul Arriola (@PaulArriola) August 16, 2019
Those emotions and the grief clearly extend beyond sports, but Arriola has somehow been able to channel some of the feelings he's been dealing with off the field into great performances on it.
To score the goal that preceded his meaningful celebration, Arriola received the ball from Paxton Pomykal. Pomykal had intercepted a poor pass from Galaxy midfielder Rayan Raveloson and, as the game plan dictated, found a winger. Arriola still had plenty of work to do, though, getting into the box and finishing past goalkeeper Jonathan Bond with a left-footed shot from a tight angle.
The boys are buzzing.
— FC Dallas :) (@FCDallas) May 15, 2022
Pax with the takeaway and Paul with the finish. pic.twitter.com/lJZzTcYy92
Arriola spent most of the night smiling and also did a fair bit of chirping. The Chula Vista native was briefly in the LA Galaxy academy system before starting his professional career in Baja California with Club Tijuana rather than in Alta California with the Galaxy.
With a number of loved ones in the stadium rooting him on at Dignity Health Sports Park, Arriola seemed to feed off the crowd more than usual and had an impish streak in his game.
In the 75th minute, that earned him Arriola got a yellow card for dissent, but shortly after, he had what appeared to be a good-natured chat with LA Galaxy manager Greg Vanney in the Galaxy technical area.
As he left the field in the 81st minute, replaced by Nanu, Arriola put a finger to his lips for a few seconds as if to shush a Galaxy crowd that hadn't had much to cheer after FCD's three goals in the first 23 minutes paved the way for a somewhat straightforward road win.
"Look, it’s always great to play in front of your friends and family. This one meant a lot to me," he said. "I’m not really that player to kind of try and shush fans, but today was tough and I think I was just a little hot-headed in the end with everybody, but really proud of my effort and the sacrifice. Guys were cramping out there, including myself, giving everything we had to try to get a result.
"I don’t feel like that’s really my personality, but today it came out and I don’t mind it."
The cheeky behavior certainly won't overshadow Arriola's message of perseverance to those coping with cancer or to loved ones grieving those who are no longer with them.