August was Montreal's month, so it should come as no surprise that the man behind the Impact's impressive form in August has been named Player of the Month.
Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier tallied three goals and three assists as Montreal went on a 4-0-0 August run and was rewarded by the North American Soccer Reporters voters with his first-ever player of the month award (see who and how the media voted here).
Though the Montreal-area native started August fairly slowly, notching one assist in two games, he picked up steam in the later half of the month, with a one-goal, one-assist performance against the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes preceding his signature performance of the month. The Impact vice-captain was involved in all three goals in a 3-0 romp over D.C. United, scoring twice after setting up Marco Di Vaio's opener.
"I am very pleased to have received this honor, but it is foremost a team reward for the success we've had throughout the last month," Bernier said in a statement from the club. "However, our team must continue to work and push hard to earn a playoff spot."
Bernier's impressive August took him to nine goals and eight assists over 21 games in his and the Impact's inaugural MLS campaign.
"Patrice is very deserving of this honor," Impact head coach Jesse Marsch said in the statement. "We know that he will continue his good form down the stretch and will help us make a final push for the playoffs."
Bernier narrowly edged out Seattle's Fredy Montero for the award. The Colombian forward his for six goals and an assist, including a first-ever MLS hat trick in a 6-2 thrashing of Chivas USA.
2012 MLS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
August: Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact)
July: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
June: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
May:Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United)
April: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
March: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
