INLAND FIELDHOUSE

Canahai plays a forward attacking role for Arlington. / Dennis Pope Photography

Take a closer look at Riverside Arlington attacking forward Jason Canahai and you’ll see a player often in the right place at the right time.

To wit: Canahai’s goal on 11/30 against Riverside King was a moment of skill brought about by a stroke of luck. With the ball bouncing around near the edge of the penalty area, Canahai met the ball as it randomly arced toward him and fired a shot that beat the keeper from just outside the 18.

“I just took the ball forward, seen what I got, I seen that there was open space. I just cracked it. I was surprised to see what kind of velocity it had. It was still good,” said Canahai, finished with three shots on goal.

Canahai is also the man of the moment at Arlington, where he has become the Lions’ go-to offensive threat following the graduation of Eddie Morales, a two-time All-Inland Valley League player.

“Coach Watson relies on my to do something in the game, and make a stand,” Canahai said. “We were down 3-0. After that I told my team, and we all had an urgency, you seen that we picked it up, and then one of my players (Julian Martinez) scored on the free kick.”

Arlington went on to lose 4-2, but valuable lessons were learned.

1. Canahai has taken ownership of this team, and 2. The Lions need to defend better.

“I think we need to get out there, tomorrow morning, tomorrow afternoon, and work out in our practices, have our defense work on set pieces and going hard every time. So we can defend against tough teams like (King),” Canahai said.

Canahai’s team-first sentiment is perhaps rare among those playing soccer on a landscape ruled by club teams. Kids come and go to club. It’s all about opportunity and exposure. If Canahai is being honest (and I have no reason to think he’s not), the Lions are a better team.

Arlington is a perennial playoff team, I said to Canahai. What will it take to get back there this season?

“Just commit to excellence. Thrive to get better on defense, and work hard in practice. This is a game where we just take a stand, and we just gather ourselves and compete to the next level,” he said.

The Lions (2-3-1) began Inland Valley League play with a 0-0 draw against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs on 12/13. Canahai and Co. play host to No. 1 Moreno Valley Valley View at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.