MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara has been selected as Major League Soccer's Honda Player of the Month for July by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA). The second-year player and Honduran International recorded four goals and two assists for the month, lifting him to the top of the MLS Budweiser Scoring chart entering August with 25 points off nine goals and seven assists. Guevara has recorded at least one point in eight consecutive League games, helping the Metros take a five point lead in the Eastern Conference and enjoy a current four game unbeaten streak (3-0-1).
Guevara began the month by recording an assist on Eddie Gaven's goals in the MetroStars only loss of the month, a 6-2 defeat on July 3 at the hands of D.C. United. A week later, Guevara continued his outstanding play with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Giants Stadium on July 10. This game marked the first of three consecutive games that Guevara converted a penalty kick, an MLS record.
On July 17, Guevara again led the MetroStars effort in a 1-1 tie at Soldier Field in Chicago. In a tight game, Guevara's late penalty conversion ensured a hard fought draw against a team that the Metros had not beaten in nine consecutive matches. On a July 24 rematch against the Fire at Giants Stadium, Guevara converted his third penalty in as many games just before halftime, initiating the come-from-behind 2-1 victory and snapping the MetroStars' long winless streak against Chicago.
The MetroStars ended the month on July 28 with a 2-1 win at Kansas City, ending the Wizards nine-game undefeated run. In the 66th minute, Guevara extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with a stunning free kick from just outside the box to the left of goal. Kansas City goalkeeper Tony Meola could only watch as the perfectly placed ball sailed into the top corner of the net.
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game MVP was the overwhelming choice for the honors over goalkeepers Jon Busch of the Columbus Crew and Joe Cannon of the Colorado Rapids. This is Guevara's first Player of the Month award in his short MLS career and the first for a MetroStars player since Clint Mathis in May of 2001. 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)
