Jeff Larentowicz

Jeff Larentowicz
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)
Playing position Midfielder, Defender
Club information
Current team
 Atlanta United
Number 18
Youth career
2001–2004 Brown Bears
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– Atlanta United 60 (2)
National team‡
2011–2012 United States 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of September 2, 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of January 21, 2012

Jeffrey Adam "Jeff" Larentowicz (born August 5, 1983) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. He was a starting midfielder on the Rapids' 2010 MLS Cup Championship team.

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.[2]

Youth and college

Born in Pasadena, California, to parents of Polish descent,[3] 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 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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9] He has since become the full-time captain of the Fire after Pause's retirement in 2014.[10][9]

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.[11] 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.[12] On July 4, 2016, Larentowicz scored his first goal for the Galaxy in a 2–0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps.[13]

Atlanta United

Larentowicz signed as a free agent with Atlanta United in December 2016,[14] and began play with the team in the their inaugural 2017 season. On September 24, 2017, he scored his first goal for the team in a 2-0 win over Montreal Impact.[15] In December 2017 Larentowicz re-signed again with Atlanta United for the 2018 season.[16]

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.[17] 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.

Honors

Club

New England Revolution[18]
Colorado Rapids[9]

References

  1. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLTK-XDY
  2. ↑ Davis, Steve. "MLS Western Conference preview". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Samobój przesądził o tytule".
  4. ↑ "Firchau, Nick. "MLS Cup: A proud moment for Ginger army," Major League Soccer, Friday, November 19, 2010".
  5. ↑ Forbes, Brian. "Larentowicz gives kick-start to Rapids," The Denver Post, Saturday, April 17, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Revolution Make Strategic Trade With Rapids". WorldSoccerReader. 21 Jan 2010. Retrieved 22 Jan 2010.
  7. ↑ "Bolton bring in Team USA's Ginja Ninja". Daily Mirror. Nov 17, 2011. Retrieved 18 Nov 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/01/rapids-trade-allocation-money-international-slot-and-11-overall-pick
  9. 1 2 3 "Jeff Larentowicz Chicago Fire Profile". Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "As Logan Pause announces retirement, Chicago Fire lose another link to the past". mlssoccer.com. September 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/01/06/la-galaxy-sign-midfielder-jeff-larentowicz?autoplay=true
  12. ↑ Match Report: LA Galaxy grab thrilling 5-2 come-from-behind win over Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy, April 23, 2016
  13. ↑ Match Report: Robbie Keane return inspires LA Galaxy to 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, LA Galaxy, July 4, 2016
  14. ↑ https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2016/12/14/13959872/atlanta-united-sign-jeff-larentowicz
  15. ↑ https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/9/24/16358840/watch-jeff-larentowiczs-first-atlanta-united-goal-is-a-huge-one
  16. ↑ https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/12/12/atlanta-united-re-signs-jeff-larentowicz
  17. ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/young-us-side-rallies-draw-chile-1-1-hdc
  18. ↑ "Jeff Larentowicz MLS Profile". Retrieved 27 July 2016.
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