COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Jeff Larentowicz isn’t surprised he was not near the top of the fan vote for MLS All-Star roster.
The midfielder, selected by All-Star coach Bruce Arena Monday for the game against Manchester United next week, plays a largely unglamorous role for the Rapids. He breaks up opposition attacks and launches Colorado's offensives with his simple distribution. It’s not the kind of stuff that makes fans giddy.
“I play a position in our team that does not get noticed a lot,” Larentowicz told MLSsoccer.com this week. “It was always going to be tough to be selected by fans in the position that I play.”
GALLERY: 2010 MLS All-Star Jeff Larentowicz
The 26-year-old is more than grateful, then, that Arena recognized his talent and brought him into the squad.
“To be recognized by an opposition coach who has been outstanding not only this season, but in the history of US soccer, that is a great honor,” he said.
The former New England Revolution player, who joined the Rapids at the start of this season as part of a trade that also brought Wells Thompson to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, feels that his game has come on since his Rocky Mountain arrival.
In New England, Larentowicz’s role was very much defined by what his midfield partner, Shalrie Joseph, was doing. In Colorado, where he has started all 15 games this season, he has more responsibility and more impact working alongside club captain Pablo Mastroeni.
“It’s definitely changed,” he said of his game for the Rapids. “There’s more give and take with Pablo. I feel like I am more involved in the possession and flow of the team.”
Despite his strong play, Larentowicz admits to a certain amount of disbelief regarding his All-Star nod and the chance to take on a legendary club like Manchester United. The news came via a message on his cellphone from the MLS Commissioner’s office.
“It’s a pleasant surprise and something I never thought would happen to me,” he said. “[Manchester United] have a whole team of superstars but I hope the whole experience will be a lot of fun.”
Rapids coach Gary Smith said he was delighted for his player.
“Jeff’s been a wonderful addition to this group and I’m really pleased for the lad. It’s thoroughly well deserved,” Smith said, adding that the midfielder was not the only one in the squad deserving of a similar reward. He mentioned Omar Cummings, in particular. “Omar’s such an exciting player. [But] there’s half a dozen players in this group who have had very good seasons.”
