Jeff Larentowicz became just the third field player in MLS history to reach 400 appearances during the regular season when he came on the 76th minute of Sunday's 1-0 win over Orlando at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
He said reaching 400 became a goal after he reached 300.
“It feels good to achieve a goal,” he said. “But, really, it’s a moment in a season that we hope goes really well for a long time. Happy for the moment but happy for the win.”
His next goal?
“To help this team in anyway I can,” he said. “Success feels very good. Not having success does not feel good. I think everybody is getting a sense of how good it feels to be doing well and how much it requires to do well.
“I think that we’ve gotten back into that mindset. Helping in any way I can. I stood in the locker room a few months ago and it felt very good. I think getting back to that point would be enough.”
Larentowicz, 35, was of course speaking about Atlanta United winning the MLS Cup last season. It was the second time that Larentowicz was on a team that won the championship. The first came with Colorado in 2010.
Larentowicz trails only Kyle Beckerman (472) and Chad Marshall (409) in appearances by field players (non-goalkeepers).
“Unbelievable achievement,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. “The manager said congratulations to him before he addressed the team. That speaks volumes about what he’s been able to accomplish in this league. To play that many games in any league around the world is a huge accomplishment and I couldn’t be more excited for him. He’s a fantastic teammate and even better professional.”
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