CHICAGO - Chicago Fire forward Andy Herron been selected as Major League Soccer's Honda Player of the Month for October by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA). The Costa Rican international was acquired by the Fire with five games remaining, and almost single-handedly earned the Fire a postseason berth by scoring four goals in his first four games in MLS.
Herron's month started on Oct. 2, when he twice brought the undermanned Fire back from a one-goal deficit in the second half at the Columbus Crew to help the "Men in Red" warn a crucial point in a 3-3 draw. Herron's first goal, a stunning first-touch blast to the upper right corner from 20 yards out leveled the game at 2-2 and earn him his first MLS Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honor. Herron would have the week's runner-up as well, as his 81st minute goal would cap the scoring in the contest, giving the Fire an important road point.
The 26-year old went on to start both matches for the "Ticos" in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, a 5-0 pasting of Guatemala on Oct. 9 and a 3-1 victory over Canada on Oct. 13. Herron captured back-to-back Honda MLS Player of the Week awards in his first month in the League and became only the second player in League history to score two goals in each of his first two regular season starts (Carlos Ruiz in 2002).
Herron narrowly edged out the New England Revolution's Steve Ralston in the voting, with D.C. United's forward Christian Gomez and Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi also receiving votes. The monthly winner is selected by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).
2004 PLAYER OF THE MONTH WINNERS
April: Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy)
May: Alejandro Moreno (Los Angeles Galaxy)
June: Chris Klein (Kansas City Wizards)
July: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
August: Pat Onstad (San Jose Earthquakes)
September: Jon Busch (Columbus Crew)
October: Andy Herron (Chicago Fire)
