NEW YORK - Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch has been selected as Major League Soccer's Honda Player of the Month for September by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA). The 28-year old led the Crew to a perfect 4-0-0 record during the month, posting two shutouts and a 0.75 goals against average while making a total of 17 saves.
Busch kicked off the month with a four-save performance in a 3-1 home victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 4, and followed that with a dramatic 1-0 shutout of the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 8 at Spartan Stadium. Busch was only required to make three saves in the game decided on a last second goal by Crew newcomer Tony Sanneh.
The third year player continued his strong play with his tenth victory of the season in defeating the visiting MetroStars 4-2 at Crew Stadium on Sept. 18. A week later, Busch had one his finest performances to close out the month, again earning the shutout in a 1-0 win over D.C. United. If not for two outstanding saves by Busch, United would have leveled the score in the 34th minute. United midfielder Christian Gomez set up a ball near the top of the box for forward Alecko Eskandarian, but Busch made a remarkable diving save, tipping aside his hooking effort destined for the upper corner. On the ensuing corner kick, midfielder Josh Gros hit a low drive that Busch again held.
Busch leads Major League Soccer goalkeepers with 11 wins on the year and ranks second in the league in saves (123) and shutouts (9). In just three seasons in MLS, Busch has been stellar and is tied for fourth in all-time goals against average (1.23), fourth in all-time winning percentage (59.5 percentage) and already has 18 shutouts (8th all-time) in just 65 games.
Busch was the clear winner for the month, with forwards Jaime Moreno of D.C. United and Josh Wolff of the Kansas City Wizards also receiving votes. Already chosen to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game, Busch earns his first MLS Player of the Month award of his career. 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)
