It should have been easy to overlook Dylan Arbetman.

The Metea Valley freshman defender was the smallest player on the field during a DuPage Valley Conference game against Neuqua Valley on Monday.

Instead, it was impossible not to notice Dylan Arbetman, who started at center back and shined under the bright lights of opening night.

“He’s starting to find out how highly we think of him,” Metea Valley coach Josh Robinson said. “When we chose him for a varsity spot, I think he knew, but this was fun.”

Indeed, the 5-foot-6 Dylan Arbetman stood out from the start. He began the game guarding Neuqua Valley senior forward Benjamin Evers, who towered over him. So did several of the other Wildcats.

But none of them could get past Dylan Arbetman, whose spirited play helped the host Mustangs pull out a 1-0 DVC victory in Aurora.

Arbetman’s older brother, Ethan, a senior forward, scored the game’s only goal when he converted a penalty kick with 16:59 left in the second half. That made the game — the first in which the brothers have been teammates — even more special.

“I had so much fun,” Ethan Arbetman said. “Being out there with my brother is obviously the coolest thing ever.”

Metea Valley’s Josh Aguado, left, and Ethan Arbetman celebrate after Arbetman scored a goal against Neuqua Valley during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Aurora on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

Despite missing most of his sophomore season with a broken collarbone, Ethan Arbetman is a three-year varsity player. He started on defense last season, so he’s a known commodity.

That wasn’t the case with Dylan Arbetman, although it didn’t take long for Robinson to see he had a potential star.

“Over the summer, he comes into camp,” Robinson said. “His brother was there. We let him play in some varsity games.

“All of a sudden, it was like, ‘Man, this is a thing that we can do.’”

It is rare for a freshman to start for any varsity team, especially at a crucial position such as center back, which requires leadership ability as well as talent.

But Robinson didn’t hesitate to play Dylan Arbetman, who is one of three freshmen on an inexperienced roster.

“He won his varsity roster spot and he won that starting spot because he just plays composed,” Robinson said. “You saw it. He was fantastic today.

“It was pretty awesome. I’m proud of how he played.”

Dylan Arbetman didn’t expect to crack the starting lineup so soon.

“I was pretty surprised,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a new position. I usually play outside back for club.

“I just stayed calm, moved my feet. That’s all that matters. It works out.”

Things have been working out for Dylan Arbetman ever since he began playing soccer when he was 5. Nearly a decade later, he has gotten to the point where nothing seems to faze him.

None of this is surprising to Ethan Arbetman.

“He’s been really gritty since he was super young,” Ethan Arbetman said. “I love training with him. We go to Knoch all the time.

“It’s so cool to see him on the field today.”

Dylan Arbetman said Ethan has been a “massive influence” on him. So what brotherly advice did he get before the game?

“What I told him before we played this game was there’s going to be bigger guys than him,” Ethan Arbetman said. “It’s tough playing center back at 5-5, 5-6, but he can do it. I know he can. I believe in him.”

Metea Valley’s Dylan Arbetman, right, controls the ball during a DuPage Valley Conference game against Neuqua Valley in Aurora on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

It’s still early, but Dylan Arbetman already believes in the Mustangs.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “I’m getting to know all of the kids.

“Most of them are new people to me, but it’s good to meet new people. I just like my teammates, hanging out with them, all the experiences I can have.”

This is the only season the Arbetman brothers will play together. Ethan Arbetman is going to savor it.

“Every moment of it,” Ethan Arbetman said. “I’ve told him it’s going to go by fast, so enjoy it. It’s going to be super fun.”

Robinson expects plenty of fun moments for Dylan Arbetman.

“As he plays more and more, he’s going to get more and more composed,” Robinson said. “He’s going to have the most amazing four-year career.”

Just how good can Dylan Arbetman, who is 3 inches shorter than his brother, be?

“All-state,” Ethan Arbetman said. “He’ll grow.

“I was a little shorter than he is when I was a freshman, so I think he’ll be taller than me. If he can do this as a freshman, he’ll be crazy amazing come junior year or senior year.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/26/soccer-metea-valley-dylan-arbetman/