WATCH: Bernier seals the win vs D.C. United
MONTREAL - Montreal Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier was named Major League Soccer’s Player of the Month for August on Tuesday.
The native of Brossard, Quebec, scored three goals and added three assists in four games for the Montreal Impact in August, playing every minute of every match over that span, helping the team register four wins in as many games, including a 3-1 win over league leading San Jose Earthquakes. He also tallied two goals and an assist in a 3-0 victory over D.C. United.
Bernier now has a team leading nine goals this season (tied for 12th in league) to go along with eight assists, which is second on the team (tied for 9th in the league), in 21 games played (19 starts).
“I am very pleased to have received this honour, but it is foremost a team reward for the success we’ve had throughout the last month,” said Bernier. “However, our team must continue to work and push hard to earn a playoff spot.”
WATCH: Bernier sets up Neagle vs SJ
“Patrice is very deserving of this honour,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “We know that he will continue his good form down the stretch and will help us make a final push for the playoffs.”
The Player of the Month race, voted on by members of the media, was a tight one as both Fredy Montero of Seattle and Bernier each had the same number of first-place votes, but Bernier edged out Montero on second-choice votes.
Bernier’s recent success has led to a return to national team duty for Canada in World Cup qualifiers set for September 7th and 11th, versus Panama.
2012 MLS Player of the Month winners:
March: Thierry Henry, New York
April: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
May: Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United
June: Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
July: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
August: Patrice Bernier, Montreal Impact
