View source for Jeff Larentowicz

{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1983)}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jeff Larentowicz
| image = Jeff Larentowicz - 2017-09-24 2.jpg
| upright = 
| caption = Larentowicz after an Atlanta United game in 2017
| full_name = Jeffrey Adam Larentowicz<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLTK-XDY|title=FamilySearch.org|website=[[FamilySearch]] |accessdate=26 June 2023}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|8|5}}
| birth_place = [[Pasadena, California]], United States
| height = 1.85 m
| position = [[Midfielder]], [[defender (association football)|defender]]
| currentclub = 
| collegeyears1 = 2001–2004
| college1 = [[Brown Bears]]
| collegecaps1 = 66
| collegegoals1 = 7
| years1 = 2005–2009
| clubs1 = [[New England Revolution]]
| caps1 = 111
| goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2005
| clubs2 = → [[New Hampshire Phantoms|Phantoms]] (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010–2012
| clubs3 = [[Colorado Rapids]]
| caps3 = 96
| goals3 = 14
| years4 = 2013–2015
| clubs4 = [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]
| caps4 = 94
| goals4 = 14
| years5 = 2016
| clubs5 = [[LA Galaxy]]
| caps5 = 23
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2016
| clubs6 = → [[LA Galaxy II]] (loan)
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2017–2020
| clubs7 = [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]]
| caps7 = 113
| goals7 = 4
| totalcaps = 443
| totalgoals = 42
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2012
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| medaltemplates = 
}}

'''Jeffrey Adam Larentowicz''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|r|ɛ|n|t|ə|w|ɪ|t|s}} {{Respell|lə|REN|tə|wits}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOEomHF2Jc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/SOEomHF2Jc0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Story Time with Jeff Larentowicz: The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith published by Scholastic Inc.|website=[[YouTube]]|date=21 April 2020 |access-date=22 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> born August 5, 1983) is an American former [[Association football|soccer]] player. He was a starting [[midfielder]] on the [[Colorado Rapids]]' [[2010 MLS Cup Final|2010 MLS Cup Championship team]], and a starting [[Defender (association football)|defender]] for [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]]'s [[MLS Cup 2018|2018 Cup]]-winning side.

During his career as a soccer player, Larentowicz was 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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Steve|title=MLS Western Conference preview|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/steve_davis/03/05/mls.western.conf2012/1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308234456/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/steve_davis/03/05/mls.western.conf2012/1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2012|publisher=Sports Illustrated|access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref>

==Youth and college==
Born in [[Pasadena, California]],{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} to parents of Polish descent,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dziennik.com/wiadomosci/artykul/samoboj-przesadzil-o-tytule|title=Samobój przesądził o tytule|accessdate=26 June 2023}}</ref> 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===
[[File: Jeff-Larentowicz.jpg|thumb|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 [[nickname]]s. He acquired ''Ginja'' (or ''Ginger'') ''Ninja'' after scoring an acrobatic goal against [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] on May 6, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2010/11/mls-cup-proud-moment-ginger-army|title=Firchau, Nick. "MLS Cup: A proud moment for Ginger army," Major League Soccer, Friday, November 19, 2010. |website=coloradorapids.com |publisher=Colorado Rapids|date=November 19, 2010}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/ci_14902074?source=bb| last=Forbes|first=Brian|title=Larentowicz gives kick-start to Rapids|website=denverpost.com|publisher=The Denver Post|date=April 16, 2010}}</ref> He's also known as "Big Red."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2015/10/24/9607792/a-canticle-for-larentowicz-big-red-deserved-better-than-he-got-with|last=Spence|first=Sean|title=A Canticle For Larentowicz: Big Red deserved better than he got with the Fire |website=hottimeinoldtown.com |publisher=SBNation|date=October 24, 2015}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Revolution Make Strategic Trade With Rapids |url=http://worldsoccerreader.com/2010/01/revolution-make-strategic-trade-with-rapids/ |website=worldsoccerreader.com |publisher=World Soccer Reader |date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=January 22, 2010 |archive-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125030150/http://worldsoccerreader.com/2010/01/revolution-make-strategic-trade-with-rapids/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 17, 2011, it was announced that he was training with [[Premier League]] club [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] following a recommendation by [[United States men's national soccer team|United States national team]] coach [[Jürgen Klinsmann]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Bolton bring in Team USA's Ginja Ninja |url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Bolton-transfer-gossip-Jeff-Larentowicz-USA-international-midfielder-training-with-Trotters-article830636.html|publisher=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=November 17, 2011 |access-date=November 18, 2011}}</ref>

===Chicago Fire===
On January 16, 2013, Larentowicz was traded with a second-round [[2013 MLS SuperDraft]] pick to [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] in exchange for a first-round selection in the 2013 SuperDraft, allocation money, and a 2013 [[MLS International Roster Slots|international roster slot]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2013/01/rapids-trade-allocation-money-international-slot-and-11-overall-pick | title=Rapids trade for allocation money, international slot, and #11 overall pick|website=coloradorapids.com|publisher=Colorado Rapids|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref name=ChicagoFireProfile>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicago-fire.com/players/jeff-larentowicz |title=Jeff Larentowicz Chicago Fire Profile |website=chicago-fire.com|publisher=Chicago Fire|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> He became the full-time captain of the Fire after Pause's retirement in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/05/logan-pause-announces-retirement-chicago-fire-lose-another-link-past|title=As Logan Pause announces retirement, Chicago Fire lose another link to the past|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name=ChicagoFireProfile />

===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.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/01/06/la-galaxy-sign-midfielder-jeff-larentowicz?autoplay=true | title=LA Galaxy sign midfielder Jeff Larentowicz| date=2016-01-06}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/04/23/match-report-la-galaxy-grab-thrilling-5-2-come-behind-win-over-real-salt-lake|title=Match Report: LA Galaxy grab thrilling 5-2 come-from-behind win over Real Salt Lake|date=April 23, 2016|publisher=LA Galaxy}}</ref> On July 4, 2016, Larentowicz scored his first goal for the Galaxy in a 2–0 win over [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Vancouver Whitecaps]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/07/04/match-report-robbie-keane-return-inspires-la-galaxy-2-0-win-over-vancouver-whitecapse|title=Match Report: Robbie Keane return inspires LA Galaxy to 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps|date=July 4, 2016|publisher=LA Galaxy}} {{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Atlanta United===
[[File:Jeff Larentowicz - 2017-09-24.jpg|thumb|Larentowicz with Atlanta United]]
Larentowicz signed as a free agent with Atlanta United in December 2016,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2016/12/14/13959872/atlanta-united-sign-jeff-larentowicz | title=Atlanta United sign Jeff Larentowicz|website=dirtysouthsoccer.com|publisher=Vox Media |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> 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 (2012–2020)|Montreal Impact]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/9/24/16358840/watch-jeff-larentowiczs-first-atlanta-united-goal-is-a-huge-one | title=WATCH: Jeff Larentowicz's first Atlanta United goal is a huge one|website=dirtysouthsoccer.com |publisher=Vox Media | date=September 24, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> In December 2017, Larentowicz re-signed again with Atlanta United for the 2018 season.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2017/12/12/atlanta-united-re-signs-jeff-larentowicz | title=Atlanta United re-signs Jeff Larentowicz |website=atlutd.com |publisher=Atlanta United FC |date=December 12, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/1331270006827610119 | title=Thank you for everything, Jeff Larentowicz | website=twitter.com | publisher=Atlanta United FC | date=November 24, 2020 | access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref>

Larentowicz announced his retirement from professional soccer on April 5, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeff Larentowicz announces retirement after sterling 16-year MLS career {{!}} MLSSoccer.com|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/jeff-larentowicz-announces-retirement-after-sterling-16-year-mls-career|access-date=2021-04-05|website=www.mlssoccer.com}}</ref>

==International career==
On December 22, 2010, Larentowicz received his first call up to train with the senior [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national team]]. He made his international debut a month later in a [[Exhibition game#Association football|friendly]] match against [[Chile national football team|Chile]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/young-us-side-rallies-draw-chile-1-1-hdc | title=Young US side rallies to draw Chile 1-1 at HDC | website=mlssoccer.com | publisher=Major League Soccer | date=January 23, 2011 | access-date=May 17, 2020 | archive-date=February 24, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224060504/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/young-us-side-rallies-draw-chile-1-1-hdc | url-status=dead }}</ref>
On August 25, 2011, it was announced that Larentowicz would play for the U.S. national team in two friendly matches against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] and [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]].

== Career statistics ==
{{Updated|November 23, 2020}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeff Larentowicz|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jeff-larentowicz}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|League
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="2"|League
!colspan="2"|MLS Playoffs
!colspan="2"|US Open Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[New England Revolution]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|[[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005]]
|1
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|—
|0
|1
|0
|-
|[[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]]
|26
|1
|4
|0
|2
|0
|2{{efn|name=ccl|Appearances in [[CONCACAF Champions League|Concacaf Champions League]]}}
|0
|34
|1
|-
|[[2007 New England Revolution season|2007]]
|28
|3
|4
|0
|4
|0
|—
|0
|36
|3
|-
|[[2008 New England Revolution season|2008]]
|28
|4
|2
|0
|3
|0
|4{{efn|name=nas|Appearances in [[2008 North American SuperLiga|North American Superliga]]}}
|0
|37
|4
|-
|[[2009 New England Revolution season|2009]]
|28
|1
|2
|0
|1
|1
|2{{efn|name=nas}}
|0
|33
|2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!111
!9
!12
!0
!10
!1
!8
!0
!141
!10
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Colorado Rapids]]
|rowspan="3"|MLS
|[[2010 Colorado Rapids season|2010]]
|30
|4
|4
|0
|2
|0
|—
|—
|36
|4
|-
|[[2011 Colorado Rapids season|2011]]
|34
|7
|3
|0
|0
|0
|4{{efn|name=ccl}}
|1
|41
|8
|-
|[[2012 Colorado Rapids season|2012]]
|32
|3
|—
|—
|1
|0
|—
|—
|33
|3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!96
!14
!7
!0
!3
!0
!4
!1
!110
!15
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Chicago Fire FC]]
|rowspan="3"|MLS
|[[2013 Chicago Fire season|2013]]
|32
|2
|—
|—
|4
|0
|—
|—
|36
|2
|-
|[[2014 Chicago Fire season|2014]]
|33
|6
|—
|—
|4
|1
|—
|—
|37
|7
|-
|[[2015 Chicago Fire season|2015]]
|29
|6
|—
|—
|1
|0
|—
|—
|30
|6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!94
!14
!0
!0
!9
!1
!0
!0
!103
!15
|-
|[[LA Galaxy]]
|MLS
|[[2016 LA Galaxy season|2016]]
|23
|1
|3
|0
|4
|0
|0
|0
|30
|1
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Atlanta United FC]]
|rowspan="4"|MLS
|[[2017 Atlanta United FC season|2017]]
|33
|1
|1
|0
|1
|0
|—
|—
|35
|1
|-
|[[2018 Atlanta United FC season|2018]]
|34
|1
|4
|0
|0
|0
|—
|—
|38
|1
|-
|[[2019 Atlanta United FC season|2019]]
|27
|0
|3
|0
|2
|0
|4{{efn|name=ccl}}
|0
|38
|0
|-
|[[2020 Atlanta United FC season|2020]]
|19
|2
|—
|—
|0
|0
|3{{efn|name=ccl}}
|0
|22
|2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!113
!4
!8
!0
!3
!0
!7
!0
!131
!3
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!437
!42
!30
!0
!29
!2
!19
!1
!515
!45
|}

{{notelist}}

==Honors==
'''New England Revolution'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jeff-larentowicz |title=Jeff Larentowicz MLS Profile |website=mlssoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=27 July 2016}}</ref>
* [[U.S. Open Cup]]: [[2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2007]]
* [[North American SuperLiga]]: [[2008 North American SuperLiga|2008]]

'''Colorado Rapids'''<ref name=ChicagoFireProfile />
* [[MLS Cup]]: [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]]

'''Atlanta United'''
* MLS Cup: [[2018 MLS Cup Playoffs|2018]]
* [[Campeones Cup]]: [[2019 Campeones Cup|2019]]
* U.S. Open Cup: [[2019 U.S. Open Cup|2019]]

'''Individual'''
* [[List of Major League Soccer players with 400 or more appearances|MLS 400 Games Club]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MLS player|jeff-larentowicz}}
* {{NFT player|41593}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Larentowicz, Jeff}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:American men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Atlanta United FC players]]
[[Category:Brown Bears men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Chestnut Hill Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Chicago Fire FC players]]
[[Category:Colorado Rapids players]]
[[Category:LA Galaxy players]]
[[Category:Ventura County FC players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:New England Revolution draft picks]]
[[Category:New England Revolution players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from West Chester, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Chester County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Seacoast United Phantoms players]]
[[Category:Soccer players from California]]
[[Category:United States men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:USL Championship players]]
[[Category:USL Second Division players]]