Arboleda Takes the Wheel for O’s

Photo credit: Rhode Island Oceaneers

CUMBERLAND, R.I. – There may only be one person in the Rhode Island Oceaneers organization who doesn’t consider Wilder Arboleda the undisputed leader of the squad. Just one. That person: Wilder Arboleda.

Despite the cries of capitano sent his way during training, the 23-year-old midfielder doesn’t necessarily believe the armband belongs to him just yet.

“I’m just the guy that’s been here the longest with knowing (Head of Soccer Operations) David Borts, and having been coached by Jasir (Charris),” Arboleda said. “I’m kind of the connection between the players and the coaches, so it helps out a lot. For me, it’s just bringing everyone together, and that’s kind of how I see myself as.”

Arboleda’s familiarity with Borts and Charris isn’t the only reason why many around him have his respect. In fact, it may only be a small part of why he’s stepped into the role.

The former Providence College midfielder is only one of a handful of Oceaneers on the roster who’s played division 1 NCAA soccer. From 2010-13, Arboleda starred for the Friars, where he collected 18 goals and five assists during his collegiate career. During his red-shirt freshman year, he played in a midfield that also included former Revolution draft pick Andrew Sousa.

At the club level, Arboleda was an original member of the NPSL’s Rhode Island Reds in 2012, and recently played for the Real Boston Rams during their 2014 PDL campaign. To say that the captainship is merely due to his connections would be an inaccurate assertion according to his head coach.

“He shows the character of a leader, on and off the field,” Charris said. “He works hard, and he’s technical with the ball. He will support you; he goes both ways, going forward and defending. He’s one of those players that I would call a captain both on and off the field.”

To have a player like Arboleda at his disposal has to be viewed as nothing short of a blessing for Charris and his fellow coaches. To date, the Oceaneers roster is comprised of many young faces – faces that are already turning their attention to the Providence College alum early in the ASL season.

Over the weekend, the Oceaneers played on back-to-back evenings. They earned their first win of the season – a 2-1 comeback effort – on Friday against the Evergreen Diplomats. The next night, to no one’s surprise, a visibly tired Rhode Island side dropped a 2-0 loss to Western Mass. But Arboleda, who started both games, refused to make excuses following the defeat, and instead mentioned that he and his teammates simply needed to play better.

In a sense, it’s hard to picture a better situation for the amiable Arboleda. The midfielder said that playing for a coach like Charris, who also a member of the Revolution staff, fortifies the professional environment the organization is attempting to create.

Of course, it also helps that he gets to share the pitch with players he’s collaborated with in the past, either with the Reds or at Providence College.

“I’m a Rhode Islander,” Arboleda said. “I stayed in Rhode Island throughout college, so I have to go with guys I know. It seems like a lot of fun, and it’s a high level, so it’s definitely worth it.”

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