NEW YORK — After collecting two MLS Player of the Week awards last month, it was perhaps no surprise that Dwayne De Rosario was voted the league's best MLS player for August.
The D.C. United attacker was named MLS Player of the Month by the North American Soccer Reporters on Thursday. It's the second time in his career he's won the award after first earning the nod in October of 2005.
WATCH: De Rosario punishes former team
De Rosario started the month strong, tallying a hat trick against former club Toronto FC in a 3-3 tie on Aug. 6. He was named Player of the Week for his efforts, handing him back-to-back honors after finishing July with two goals against the San Jose Earthquakes. The following week he turned in two assists as DC thrashed the Vancouver Whitecaps, 4-0.
With his third club this season, De Rosario has helped thrust DC into the playoff picture, leading the Black-and-Red to a 3-2-4 record since joining them on June 27. His always-threatening attacking presence has earned him a call up to the Canada national team, which begins World Cup qualifying on Friday.
De Rosario narrowly edged the Seattle Sounders' Mauro Rosales for this month's award by nine votes to eight. Rosales tallied three goals and three assists in August for the Sounders, who finished the month unbeaten in three competitions.
Also receiving first-place votes were the Colorado Rapids' Drew Moor, the Chicago Fire's Dominic Oduro and the Houston Dynamo's Brian Ching.
For a complete list of how media voted, click here.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH WINNERS, 2011
March: Nick Rimando, RSL
April: Brad Davis, Houston
May: Landon Donovan, LA
June: Graham Zusi, Sporting KC
July: Kevin Hartman, Dallas
August: Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United
