Jeff Larentowicz called up to the National team

United States National Team coach Jurgen Klinnsman - I didn't have to type Bob Bradley, yay! - has released his rosters for the upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Belgium, and included on those lists was Colorado Rapids defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. Larentowicz has been one of MLS' most consistent players through the last couple of years, playing shutdown defense in the midfield while excelling at taking balls away and occasionally scoring a goal on free kicks or open play with his immensely powerful shot.

This is on the backs of a very successful season for Larentowicz - following a season last year when he made the MLS all star team - where he has been the Rapids leading scorer, tied at six goals with Caleb Folan and Conor Casey - and has played his usual fantastical defense while playing almost every minute with the Rapids. In fact, the only minutes that he has missed were at the very tail end of the Chivas USA game when he was brought off the field at the last minute. Most recently he was the Rapids only goalscorer against Real Espana in a CONCACAF Champions League match.

The 28 year old midfielder received his first ever cap with the national team back when Bradley was still the coach during a friendly against Chile. He was probably the best Rapids player on the team that particular day as guys like Marvell Wynne and Anthony Wallace also played... and played a fairly uninspired game.

Congratulations Jeff! Knock them dead on the national squad and let them know that there's a pretty good footballer named Drew Moor around here when you do...