COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Thursday, August 25, 2011) – Colorado Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who has scored a career-high six goals in MLS play this season, has been called into the United States National Team by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for upcoming friendly matches against Costa Rica and Belgium. Larentowicz has made one previous appearance with the United States , playing 90 minutes in a friendly against Chile this past January.
Larentowicz scored the Rapids’ only goal in a 1-1 draw with Real España of Honduras on Wednesday in CONCACAF Champions League, his third goal in the last four games in all competitions. In the 2011 MLS season, Larentowicz has started all 27 matches the Rapids have played, scoring six goals, a new career high, and adding one assist. His play in central midfield alongside Pablo Mastroeni has been a key to the Rapids’ success since Larentowicz was acquired from the New England Revolution prior to the 2010 season. In his MLS career, Larentowicz has played 168 matches (starting 159), with 19 goals and 11 assists.
The U.S. will first host Costa Rica on Sept. 2 at The Home Depot Center in Carson , Calif. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3.com and Galavision. Four days later, the team will play Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels , with coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. MT) on ESPN and ESPN3.com.
More information on the United States ’ roster, coaching staff and upcoming games can be found at ussoccer.com.
The Rapids travel to face the Chicago Fire this Saturday, August 27, with the match being broadcast live on Altitude at 6:30 p.m. MT. The next home game for Colorado will be a CONCACAF Champions League match against Mexican powerhouse Santos Laguna on Tuesday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. MT at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park . For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 303-825-GOAL or visit www.ColoradoRapids.com.
