Jeff Larentowicz

Jeffrey Adam Larentowicz (/ləˈrɛntəwɪts/ lə-REN-tə-wits;[2] born August 5, 1983) is an American soccer player who currently plays in Major League Soccer. He was a starting midfielder on the Rapids' 2010 MLS Cup Championship team, and a starting defender for Atlanta's 2018 Cup-winning side.

Jeff Larentowicz
Jeff Larentowicz after the Atlanta United game on September 24, 2017
Personal information
Full name Jeffrey Adam Larentowicz[1]
Date of birth (1983-08-05) August 5, 1983
Place of birth Pasadena, California, United States
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder, Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Brown Bears 66 (7)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2009 New England Revolution 111 (9)
2005 → Phantoms (loan) 5 (0)
2010–2012 Colorado Rapids 96 (14)
2013–2015 Chicago Fire 94 (14)
2016 LA Galaxy 23 (1)
2016 → LA Galaxy II (loan) 1 (0)
2017–2020 Atlanta United 113 (4)
National team‡
2011–2012 United States 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 23, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 21, 2012

He is described as one of the most consistent midfielders in Major League Soccer, adept at passing and possession while well above average in tackling, tracking and defensive cover.[3] He is widely considered a legend and veteran of MLS.

Youth and college

Born in Pasadena, California, to parents of Polish descent,[4] Larentowicz played college soccer for Brown University from 2001 to 2004. In his four seasons there he played in 66 matches, amassing 7 goals and 6 assists, helping Brown to two Ivy League Championships. Before Brown, he helped lead traditional Philadelphia-area power Chestnut Hill Academy to back-to-back Interacademic League championships in 2000 and 2001. He also captained the FC Delco Arsenal to two USYSA National Championships in 2002 and 2003.

Professional career

New England Revolution
Larentowicz with New England Revolution

Larentowicz was selected in the fourth round, 45th overall in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft by New England Revolution. He spent his first season on the bench, playing only one minute with the first team all year. However, in 2006 Larentowicz came into more playing time through injuries, starting 19 games and appearing in a further seven. He scored his first-ever MLS goal on August 27, 2006 at a home game against the Columbus Crew. In 2007, he firmly established himself as a regular starter for the Revolution, playing all but two games as defensive midfielder alongside Shalrie Joseph.

Larentowicz has been known by various nicknames. He acquired Ginja (or Ginger) Ninja after scoring an acrobatic goal against Chicago Fire on May 6, 2007.[5] As a defensive midfielder who occasionally ventures into the offensive half of the pitch, he was called der Kaiser by Paul Mariner, a reference to Franz Beckenbauer.[6] He's also known as "Big Red."[7]

Colorado Rapids

On January 21, 2010, he was traded to Colorado Rapids along with Wells Thompson in exchange for Preston Burpo, Cory Gibbs, a 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick, and allocation money.[8]

On November 17, 2011, it was announced that he was training with Premier League club Bolton Wanderers following a recommendation by United States national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann.[9]

Chicago Fire

On January 16, 2013, Larentowicz was traded with a second-round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick to Chicago Fire in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2013 SuperDraft, allocation money, and a 2013 international roster slot.[10] In the 2013 season, Larentowicz proved an effective addition to the Fire squad appearing in 32 games, scoring two goals, and contributing four assists. He was always entrusted with the captaincy in the absence of Logan Pause in the Fire's starting 11.[11] He became the full-time captain of the Fire after Pause's retirement in 2014.[12][11]

LA Galaxy

Larentowicz's option wasn't picked up by Chicago at the end of the 2015 MLS season. Larentowicz became a free agent and signed with LA Galaxy on January 6, 2016.[13] He made his debut against Real Salt Lake on April 23, 2016, helping the Galaxy end the last undefeated streak of this season with a 5–2 victory.[14] On July 4, 2016, Larentowicz scored his first goal for the Galaxy in a 2–0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps.[15]

Atlanta United
Larentowicz with Atlanta United

Larentowicz signed as a free agent with Atlanta United in December 2016,[16] and began play with the team in their inaugural 2017 season. On September 24, 2017, he scored his first goal for the team in a 2–0 win over Montreal Impact.[17] In December 2017, Larentowicz re-signed again with Atlanta United for the 2018 season.[18] On November 24, 2020, Atlanta United announced the expiration of Larentowicz's contract and that he would not be returning to the roster for the 2021 season. [19]

International career

On December 22, 2010, Larentowicz received his first call up to train with the senior U.S. national team. He made his international debut a month later in a friendly match against Chile.[20] On August 25, 2011, it was announced that Larentowicz would play for the U.S. national team in two friendly matches against Costa Rica and Belgium.

Career Statistics

As of November 23, 2020[21]

Club League Season League MLS Playoffs US Open Cup Continental Cup[22] Totals
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
New England Revolution MLS 2005 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 1 0
2006 26 1 4 0 2 0 2[A 1] 0 34 1
2007 28 3 4 0 4 0 — 0 36 3
2008 28 4 2 0 3 0 4[B 1] 0 37 4
2009 28 1 2 0 1 1 2[B 1] 0 33 2
New England Revolution Totals 111 9 12 0 10 1 8 0 141 10
Colorado Rapids MLS 2010 30 4 4 0 2 0 — — 36 4
2011 34 7 3 0 0 0 4[A 1] 1 41 8
2012 32 3 — — 1 0 — — 33 3
Colorado Rapids Totals 96 14 7 0 3 0 4 1 110 15
Chicago Fire FC MLS 2013 32 2 — — 4 0 — — 36 2
2014 33 6 — — 4 1 — — 37 7
2015 29 6 — — 1 0 — — 30 6
Chicago Fire FC Totals 94 14 0 0 9 1 0 0 103 15
LA Galaxy MLS 2016 23 1 3 0 4 0 0 0 30 1
LA Galaxy Totals 23 1 3 0 4 0 0 0 30 1
Atlanta United FC MLS 2017 33 1 1 0 1 0 — — 35 1
2018 34 1 4 0 0 0 — — 38 1
2019 27 0 3 0 2 0 4[A 1] 0 38 0
2020 19 2 — — 0 0 3[A 1] 0 22 2
Atlanta United FC Totals 113 4 8 0 3 0 7 0 131 3
Career Totals 437 42 30 0 29 2 19 1 515 45
Notes
  1. Appearances in Concacaf Champions League
  1. Appearances in North American Superliga

Honors

Club
New England Revolution[23]
Colorado Rapids[11]
Atlanta United

References
  1. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLTK-XDY
  2. "Story Time with Jeff Larentowicz: The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith published by Scholastic Inc". Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. Davis, Steve. "MLS Western Conference preview". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  4. "Samobój przesądził o tytule".
  5. "Firchau, Nick. "MLS Cup: A proud moment for Ginger army," Major League Soccer, Friday, November 19, 2010". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. November 19, 2010.
  6. Forbes, Brian (April 16, 2010). "Larentowicz gives kick-start to Rapids". denverpost.com. The Denver Post.
  7. Spence, Sean (October 24, 2015). "A Canticle For Larentowicz: Big Red deserved better than he got with the Fire". hottimeinoldtown.com. SBNation.
  8. "Revolution Make Strategic Trade With Rapids". worldsoccerreader.com. World Soccer Reader. January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  9. "Bolton bring in Team USA's Ginja Ninja". Daily Mirror. November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  10. "Rapids trade for allocation money, international slot, and #11 overall pick". coloradorapids.com. Colorado Rapids. January 16, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  11. "Jeff Larentowicz Chicago Fire Profile". chicago-fire.com. Chicago Fire. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  12. "As Logan Pause announces retirement, Chicago Fire lose another link to the past". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. September 5, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  13. "LA Galaxy sign midfielder Jeff Larentowicz". 2016-01-06.
  14. Match Report: LA Galaxy grab thrilling 5-2 come-from-behind win over Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy, April 23, 2016
  15. Match Report: Robbie Keane return inspires LA Galaxy to 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, LA Galaxy, July 4, 2016
  16. "Atlanta United sign Jeff Larentowicz". dirtysouthsoccer.com. Vox Media. December 14, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  17. "WATCH: Jeff Larentowicz's first Atlanta United goal is a huge one". dirtysouthsoccer.com. Vox Media. September 24, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  18. "Atlanta United re-signs Jeff Larentowicz". atlutd.com. Atlanta United FC. December 12, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  19. "Thank you for everything, Jeff Larentowicz". twitter.com. Atlanta United FC. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  20. "Young US side rallies to draw Chile 1-1 at HDC". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. January 23, 2011.
  21. "Jeff Larentowicz".
  22. Appearances in both Concacaf Champions League and North American Superliga
  23. "Jeff Larentowicz MLS Profile". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
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