NEW YORK - Columbus Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto was named MLS Player of the Month for July after tallying three goals and an assist in the Crew's four League games.
After struggling with just one win in their first 11 League games, the Crew has now won five of their last seven. Barros Schelotto ranks second in the League in assists with seven, and has four goals in the first 13 games of his MLS career. His performance has helped the Crew march up the Eastern Conference standings.
Barros Schelotto started the month of July with a solid performance against the Colorado Rapids as his work on both sides of the ball helped earn the Crew a tie and an important point on the road. On July 7, the Buenos Aires native smashed home a 76th minute penalty kick goal past Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando. His game-winner gave the Crew a hard-fought 2-0 home victory.
The following weekend Columbus traveled to The Home Depot Center to take on Chivas USA, the club with the best home record in MLS. After falling behind early in the contest, the Crew equalized in the 23rd minute. Barros Schelotto's pass found Stefani Miglioranzi whose strike evened the game and threatened to end Chivas USA's undefeated record at home. A late own-goal sent the Crew to their first loss in five games.
Barros Schelotto gave his best July performance in the Crew's final League game of the month. Early in the second half a series of one-touch passes in the middle of the field released Frankie Hejduk down the right wing. The Crew captain sent a lofted cross into the middle of the area where an unmarked Barros Schelotto calmly put the ball in the net with a right-footed volley. Just six minutes later, Barros Schelotto doubled the Crew's lead with a sublime dipping free kick that beat Toronto keeper Srdjan Djekanovic inside the left post. His two-goal performance earned him Player of the Week honors.
Prior to joining Columbus in mid-April, Barros Schelotto spent 11 years at Argentine giants Boca Juniors establishing himself as one of the most talented forwards in South America. In 196 games for the storied club, he scored 60 times and helped the team to 16 trophies. His productivity and work ethic made him a crowd favorite, and he earned 10 caps with the Argentine national team.
2007 MLS Player of the Month Awards
April: Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)
May: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
June: Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls)
July: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
