Forward Fredy Montero tallied eight goals in seven matches across all competitions, powering the Rave Green to a 5-1-1 mark in the month of August.
Fredy Montero has had some big months in his Major League Soccer career, but none have been as statistically stellar as the month of August was for him.
His six goals in four MLS matches was the top scoring month he’s had, but it doesn’t end there.
In seven matches across all competitions, Montero netted eight goals. He scored in both matches against Caledonia in the CONCACAF Champions League and in all four of the Sounders FC’s MLS matches, including a hat trick against Chivas USA on August 25.
He also added two assists while the Sounders went 5-1-1 across all competitions, including a 3-1-0 mark in MLS play that lifted them to second in the Western Conference by the end of the month.
“I’m very happy with what we are doing,” Montero said. “We’re showing our character and having very good performances out there. We’re starting to play with confidence and helping each other.”
Montero was named MLS Player of the Month in his first month in the league when he had three goals and one assist in two Sounders wins in March of 2009. He was also recognized in July of 2010, when his two goals and three assists helped the Sounders to a 3-1-1 record for the month.
But even those weren’t in his top statistical months in his career. In addition to his first month in MLS, he has tallied three goals and an assist in four other months. Even this year, he’s had a big month when he tallied four goals and three assists, albeit in seven matches, in May. In June of 2009, he had four goals and four assists in five matches.
While he’s always been streaky, he’s never been able to score at the pace that he did in August and Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid points to his movement off the ball as the reason.
“His form is very good. I’ve always said forwards are a little bit streaky, but he’s very confident right now,” Schmid said. “His movement off the ball is good, as well. There’s been good balls played in, but his movement off the ball has been very good.”
Although Montero knows that good runs have resulted in goals for him, he points out that his runs have also created space for others to score as well. Earlier this summer, forward partner Eddie Johnson had seven goals in 11 matches from June 16-August 18. Now, it’s Montero who is finding more space and scoring options.
As the Sounders get into the final eight matches of the MLS schedule, having a hot striker is valuable. All of the rest of their matches this season are against Western Conference opponents, so the points become even more important.
Montero is becoming increasingly confident in himself and the Sounders FC as they become a more cohesive unit. Since June 30, they are 5-1-4 in MLS play and 9-1-5 overall.
“We are very proud to do what we are doing now. If you are looking through those results, every single player here wants to do their best. It’s always fun for us and it’s a big challenge for everyone here,” Montero said. “You have to be focused and ready when the playoffs arrive because it’s totally different. That’s the entire year. You have to have the right mentality. Each game has to be like there is no more games.”
The Sounders look to continue their hot streak on Saturday against Chivas USA. Kickoff is set for 1 pm Pacific at CenturyLink Field.
