Columbus Crew forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Month for June. Schelotto scored four goals and added two assists in four League games during the month. He led the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew to a 3-1-0 record in June as they moved into second place in the Eastern Conference and extended a home unbeaten streak to four games.
The reigning Volkswagen MLS MVP continues to energize the Crew with his ability to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates. In 2008, Schelotto played provider, leading the League with 19 assists. In 2009, his second full season with the Crew, Schelotto done more scoring, leading the Budweiser Golden Boot race with 10 goals in 15 games. After beginning the season on a seven-game winless streak, the Crew has gone 5-1-2 with Schelotto the catalyst. The Crew are now tied on points (22) with Toronto FC for second in the Eastern Conference, one shy of D.C. United, the Eastern Conference leaders, whom they host this Saturday.
In the Crew's Week 12 match against the Kansas City Wizards, Schelotto scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season. Schelotto opened the scoring in the 14th minute, when he raced to the top of the penalty area and volleyed a bouncing ball between Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. In the 64th minute, Schelotto smashed a penalty kick to the left of Hartman, who dove to his right.
In Week 13 versus Chivas USA, Schelotto recorded his second consecutive two-goal game, leading the Crew back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to a 2-1 victory. Schelotto started the comeback in the 61st minute when he shielded the ball from Chivas USA defender Carey Talley, collected possession and fired a low driving shot past Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton. Schelotto completed the comeback in the 87th minute when Crew defender and fellow Argentine Gino Padula sent a lofted cross into the penalty area. Schelotto calmly collected the ball and fired a low shot into the far left corner.
In the Crew's 2-1 defeat of FC Dallas in Week 14, Schelotto assisted on the team's lone goal. In the 17th minute he sent an in-swinging corner kick into the penalty area. Crew defender Eric Brunner sent a glancing header toward goal that deflected off FC Dallas captain Pablo Ricchetti and into the back of the net. Schelotto tallied his third assist of the season in the Crew's 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls when he connected with defender Chad Marshall on a corner kick in the 45th minute.
Schelotto has been shooting with deadly accuracy, notching 10 goals on 16 shots on goal, a 62.5% strike rate. He also leads the League with three game-winning goals.
This is Schelotto's third Player of the Month award. He was first awarded Player of the Month in July of 2007 and again in August of 2008. Prior to joining the Crew and Major League Soccer, the La Plata, Argentina native spent 11 years with famed Argentine club Boca Juniors where he scored 61 goals for the club. The 2008 SI Latino Sportsman of the Year has earned 10 caps with the Argentina national team.
The Major League Soccer Player of the Month is selected following the last regular season game of each month by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership guidelines can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
2009 MLS Player of the Month Awards
March:
Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC
April:
Brian McBride - Chicago Fire
May:
Conor Casey - Colorado Rapids
June:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Columbus Crew
