Dynamic Colombian striker Fredy Montero was on fire during July, and the MLS as well as the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) recognized this, naming him Player of the Month on Wednesday.

Montero, who was also named to the MLS All-Star team two years in a row, guided the Seattle Sounders to a surge in which the team climbed out of the Western Conference lower ranks to a position currently challenging for a playoff spot.

During July, the speedy forward contributed two goals and three assists in five games, helping steer Seattle to a 3-1-1 record during that span.

Montero's hot streak began with a 14th minute goal on July 11 that lifted the Sounders to a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas. 

He had a surge of eight games in which he garnered either a goal or an assist. 

This ended in early August on Tuesday, with a 1-1 draw in San Salvador against Metapan in CONCACAF competition. 

Had the rain not have been so heavy and the ground so muddy, the speedy Montero would have had a better chance to extend his streak.

On July 15, Montero supplied the assist on teammate Roger Levesque's 89th minute game-winning goal against D.C. United.

The win was the first of three consecutive Seattle victories to close out July.

One week later, Montero added two more assists, connecting with forward Steve Zakuani twice for the opening goal of the game as well as the game-winning tally in the 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

Montero continued his offensive tear when the team traveled to San Jose to face the Earthquakes on July 31.

The 23 year-old, who celebrated his birthday July 27, was responsible for the only goal of the game when he powered a header past goalkeeper Jon Busch in the 26th minute, good for three points on the road.

This is Montero's second Player of the Month award.

His first came in March 2009, the first month of his MLS debut.

It is the third Player on the Month award for Sounders FC as Freddie Ljungberg achieved the prestigious honor in October 2009.

Montero is a native of Campo de la Cruz, Colombia. 

He was acquired by Seattle in 2009 from Deportivo Cali, where in 2008, he led the Copa Mustang League in scoring with 16 goals.

In 2007, Montero led the league with 13 goals for Atlético Huila. He has appeared three times for the Colombian national team.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Month is selected following the last regular season game of each month by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).

The group consists of members of print, television, radio, and online media.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here