If anyone expected July to be slow month as the temperatures climbed, they were sadly mistaken as more players than ever seemed to heat up. One of them will be your choice for the winner of the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month award for July.
How it works: At the end of each month, the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff selects the five final nominees. These are then put to a vote among you, the fans. Fan voting for the July POTM will be open until 11:59 pm PT, Monday, August 4. The winner will be revealed on the morning of Tuesday, August 5.
Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month (July 2014)
Benny Feilhaber, Sporting KC. The playmaker was the driving force behind SKC’s perfect month (4-0-1 record). In five starts, he had two goals and one assist as Sporting climbed back up to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Bill Hamid, DC United. A great month for the young goalkeeper. Hamid backstopped United to a perfect 4-0-0 record, conceding just three goals total. The stretch was highlighted by his 9-save performance on July 11 in the 2-1 win at San Jose. DC are now up to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference.
Erick "Cubo" Torres, Chivas USA. The young Mexican forward saw his six-game scoring streak broken in the last game of the month, but he still had an impressive July, notching four goals on 18 shots. One of those was the most acrobatic goal we've seen this year.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls. The Budweiser MLS Golden Boot leader — 17 goals so far — continued his torrid pace with five goals in July, including goals in four straight games. New York didn't light up the league in terms of results, but BWP -- who averages about a goal every 90 minutes -- is still on pace to challenge the MLS single-season goal-scoring record (27).
Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy. - 5 starts (3-1-1 record), 4G, 11 shots. The young Homegrown Player -- who will take part in Monday night's Chipotle Homegrown Game -- found his groove in July, becoming a focal point for the LA attack with and paying off with four goals in five starts. The Galaxy posted a 3-1-1 record in July and are now firmly back in the hunt in the Western Conference.
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Check out the previous winners of the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month
