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Fredy Montero joins Nate Jaqua (10), Kasey Keller (09) and Pat Noonan (07, with Revolution) as current Seattle Sounders who earned the Player of the Tournament award from TheCup.US and North American Soccer Reporters. Montero helped the Sounders to their historical third straight US Open Cups by hitting game winners in the quarters, the semis and the Final. While those were his only three goals they were enough to have him finish the tourney tied for second in goal scoring, first among MLS players.
In this possible preview of MLS MVP voting Montero's offensive production is readily recognizable by those from a distance. He now has 16 goals (8 winners) and 10 assists (3 winners) in all competitions while playing in 81% of of possible minutes. While other players around the league may contribute more, none are doing so in such a strong numerical fashion on a team that has performed so well.
Former Sounder Chris Eylander also earned the Player of the Tournament in 2008 with the USL side that made it to the semifinals. Montero was the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009.