Philly files discovery claim on Arrieta

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Mar 30, 2010

[MLS] Midfielder Cristian Arrieta, the 2009 USL-1 Most Valuable Player for Puerto Rico Islanders, arrived in Philadelphia Sunday to start a brief trial. He could be a replacement for right back David Myrie, who had a terrible game in Union's opening game loss at Seattle and has been released.

Arrieta, 30, has played the last two seasons for the Islanders and was a key member of their run to the 2009 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

He also helped the Islanders win the regular-season league title in 2008 when he was named the USL-1 Defender of the Year. The Florida-born Arrieta played several years in the Italian lower divisions and made seven appearances for Lecce in Serie B before signing with Puerto Rico.

The Union is one of two MLS teams to file a discovery claim on Arrieta, according to agent Rob Colosia. The Crew is the other.

Arrieta is best known as a right back, yet has the size (6-foot-2) to play in central defense and has played some defensive mid. He scored 17 goals in his two seasons with the Islanders, who do not have his rights for the 2010 season.