Larentowicz has been a quick study
The goal couldn't have been prettier. In a second, all the pieces in front of Revolution midfielder Jeff Larentowicz appeared to freeze just long enough for him to surprise D.C. United goalkeeper Louis Crayton with a shot from about 25 yards out Wednesday night.
The ball knuckled to the goalkeeper's left, while Crayton stuttered right, for the winning goal in a 2-1 decision.
Larentowicz seized the opportunity.
Throughout his career, Larentowicz has reminded himself to take advantage of his chances. As a senior at Brown, he balanced his final classes with Revolution tryouts and practices. In 2006, he filled in for an injured player and earned a starting job. And last month, when defender Michael Parkhurst joined the US Olympic team, Larentowicz dropped back to defense.
"It's been a pleasure watching him from where he first came to who he is now," midfielder Shalrie Joseph said. "He's so tenacious. He's a guy you love to have on your team because you know he's going to work."
From Larentowicz's first days with the Revolution, he adjusted his schedule to finish his degree and pursue professional soccer. He played four years for Brown at central defender, collecting seven goals and six assists.
He was selected in the fourth round of the supplemental draft in 2005 and was on the developmental team while finishing his studies. The commute from Rhode Island allowed him to train during the morning and return to school in the afternoon.
"I felt like it was just a blessing to be able to do both at the same time," Larentowicz said.
In his last year of college, the Revolution had a preseason trip to Ecuador and Larentowicz was keeping up with his studies as a major in public policy and American institutions.
"Everybody was enjoying themselves and relaxing and I had piles of books and stuff," Larentowicz said. "That was part of it. Your professors still expected you to do the work. It was good. It gave me something to do, I guess."
A year later, Larentowicz found himself in position to lobby for a starting spot. Injuries and international call-ups created openings, and he stepped in.
"If you're a developmental player, you have the opportunity in reserve games to show what you can do and that you can do it consistently, but when you get that chance in a first-team game, this is your shot," Larentowicz said. "If you get out there and you're scared and you don't want it, it could be months until you get your next shot. But if you show that you're pretty fearless and that you can cope with mistakes, then that is something the coaches are really going to look at."
Larentowicz went on to start 19 matches that season alongside Joseph. The two had to learn how to work with each other.
"It was a little bit of give-and-take and trying to teach him and help each other," Joseph said. "He came into practice and you could tell from his game that he was very good."
Larentowicz said he tried to stay in constant communication with Joseph. Last year, he became a full-time starter as a defensive midfielder.
Then last month, Larentowicz demonstrated his versatility by dropping back while Parkhurst, the 2007 Major League Soccer Defender of the Year, prepared for the Olympics. Larentowicz started four of five matches and helped the Revolution capture their first SuperLiga title.
But the change didn't affect Larentowicz's game. When Parkhurst returned Wednesday, Larentowicz moved up to his old position, paired with Joseph. The two are expected to be paired as defensive midfielders again tonight at Toronto FC.
"It's good to have him back," Joseph said. "He came in and did well. He had been dying to get [a goal] and he finally got one. He played awesome [when Parkhurst was out] and was good again [Wednesday]."
It is not known whether striker Carlos Ruiz, acquired by Toronto FC from the Los Angeles Galaxy Thursday, will make it to BMO Field in time for tonight's game. The seven-year MLS veteran, who has scored 82 regular-season goals, will dress if he arrives from Guatemala by this morning, Toronto FC coach John Carver told the Toronto Star. Ruiz captained the Guatemalan national team Wednesday in its loss to the US.
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com 