It is the third time in his career that he has claimed the honors.

Official Release
Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 17. Montero scored two second-half goals as Sounders FC rallied to beat the Portland Timbers, 3-2, on Sunday at JELD-WEN Field.

It is the third time Montero has been voted MLS Player of the Week. He last earned the honor in Week 22 of 2010.

Seattle defender Jeff Parke won the award in Week 10 this season.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.

Fredy Montero celebrating his last goal (Chris Coulter Photo)

Fredy Montero’s last goal in competitive play was an important one. It was the eventual game winning goal in the US Open Cup semifinal against Chivas USA on September 1st. That goal, however, ended a scorching streak through the summer months of June, July, and August that saw Montero account for 8 goals and 6 assists in 11 MLS matches.

But that last goal was 216 days ago.

Since that goal, the Sounders have played in 19 competitive matches (14 MLS, 4 Champions League, and the USOC Final) and have a 7-9-3 record in those games with Montero appearing in all but four.

The articles abound the interwebs that note the Sounders’ depth to make a run in the MLS Season, the CONCACAF Champions League, and the US Open Cup and the results show that Seattle is capable of earning points without Montero scoring.

However, the fact of the matter is that Fredy Montero hasn’t scored in1248 minutes across 15 games.

After undergoing wrist surgery last week, Montero missed Saturday’s draw with San Jose. On Monday, Sigi Schmid noted that Fredy was heading back to the surgeon to be reassessed for this weekend.

Are you worried? Did you realize that Montero hasn’t scored in such a long time?

He is listed as “questionable” for Saturday’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes as he undergoes surgery today.

Joshua Mayers of the Seattle times also noted that Mike Fucito rolled his ankle in Thursday’s training.

A Glance by Fredy Montero w/ Racing Stripes (Chris Coulter photo)

MLS named Sounders Designated Player, Fredy Montero, the MLS Humanitarian of the Month for March… for what he did in December.

Full Release:

Major League Soccer and the Seattle Sounders FC today announced forward Fredy Montero was selected as the MLS W.O.R.K.S. “Humanitarian of the Month” for March. The award recognizes Montero’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for the massive floods and devastation throughout his native country of Colombia.

Back in December, heavy rains caused flooding and mudslides in Montero’s hometown of Campo de la Cruz, Colombia. While the Sounders and their supporters responded with fundraisers in Seattle, Montero flew to Colombia to support his family and neighbors. More than two million Colombians have been affected by the disaster.

Mercy Corps, Sounders FC, Emerald City Supporters, Gorilla FC and the North End Faithful in addition to Sounders FC fans throughout the country joined to raise more than $29,000 to help flood relief efforts.

Three of the Sounders FC players hail from Colombia (Montero, Miguel Montaño, and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado), where Mercy Corps has worked since 2007 to help survivors of Latin America’s longest-running conflict. They’re working with the most vulnerable residents – landmine survivors, displaced families, at-risk children – in the areas most affected by violence.

Meanwhile, Montero continues to contribute to the efforts.
“I tried to give my best because too many people are in need of help. It’s very sad because your family has the problem,” said Montero. “I’m going to help for as long as they need. Nothing is done yet. We have to keep helping until it’s better.”

MLS W.O.R.K.S. is Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.

DONATE HERE: http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/seattlesoundersfc

Via Sounders Press Release…

Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero has returned to his hometown of Campo de la Cruz, Colombia the team announced today.

Montero received a call from his grandfather on Monday asking for his help. Weeks of rain and flooding in several Colombian states has caused the nation’s worst natural disaster in nearly two decades.

“Once I saw how bad it was I knew in my heart I had to go as soon as possible,” said Montero. “I’m hoping with assistance from others I can get the resources to help those who are in need.”

The Sounders FC have partnered with Mercy Corps to raise funds for the region. Mercy Corps have had representatives inColombia since 2006. The non-profit is currently providing emergency relief kits, including: clean water, food, and hygiene materials.

WHO: Sounders FC coaches and players

WHAT: Fundraiser to benefit “Colombian Flood Relief” presented by the Emerald City Supporters, Gorilla FC, North End Supporters, and Seattle Sounders FC.  The event will be hosted by Fuel.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15. 6-9p

WHERE: Fuel [164 South Washington Street, Seattle]

HOW: Attendees will be able to meet Sounders FC coaches and players and bid on a number of exclusive auction items, including but not limited to the following:

• Autographed soccer balls, Sounders FC jerseys and posters
• VIP experience for the Community Shield match in March
• Play a Sounder FC player or coach in FIFA 11

COST: Suggested minimum donation of $5 per person

For more information and to donate to Colombian Flood Relief visit http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/seattlesoundersfc

Thanks to Chris Coulter and SoundersPhotos.com for the image

“I am happy and proud to be a part of Sounders FC. This is a good contract but my goals are not complete…”

Sounders FC have announced that Fredy Montero will become the club’s 3rd Designated Player.

General Manager Adrian Hanauer made the announcement during a press conference today.

Montero noted, “I am happy and proud to be a part of Sounders FC. This is a good contract but my goals are not complete and I aspire to grow as a player and get better. Everything we have achieved has been through hard work and there is still work to be done to realize our dreams.”

The US Green Card holder has appeared in 58 MLS matches for Sounders FC where he has tallied 22 goals over the past two seasons as well as 17 assists (only Conor Casey and Jeff Cunningham have recorded more points over the past two seasons).

The Colombian born 23-year-old was also named the best MLS player under the age of 24 and the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009.

Montero joins Swiss Blaise N’Kufo and Uruguayan Alvaro Fernandez as the club’s DPs.

Contract details were not released.

[Background on Designated Players].

[Show as slideshow]

The status removes his International Player designation on the Sounders’ roster.

Chris Coulter Image on SoundersPhotos.com

MajorLeagueSoccerSoccer.com has had a series of MLS’s top 24 Players under the age of 24. The #1 person on the list?

Seattle’s Fredy Montero.

In 2010, Montero leads Sounders FC in Goals (10), Asssists (9), Shots, Shots on Goal, Fouls Suffered. 4 of his goals were game-winners.

In his career as a Sounder, the Colombian has 22 goals and 16 assists in 54 career appearances; 52 of which saw him in the starting XI.

Montero’s value to the club is exceptionally known. General Manager, Adrian Hanauer, noted Seattle’s commitment to the 23-year old, “We’d like to see him here for lot of years and if that means using a Designated Player slot on him, we won’t be shy about doing that.”

What’s Fredy’s commitment to the club?

“I’m happy with my performances for the team. Without a doubt I had to be a leader for the team with my goals, my effort and sacrifice, but the team is not just one player and we’re scoring now with [Steve] Zakuani and Nkufo.”

Montero continued, “I don’t know if I can be MVP, but I dream about it and I’m working hard. It would be great for my career and for the club.”

Also of note, Steve Zakuani came in at #4 on the list.

The future looks very promising for Sounders FC.

Montero in Action! (Chris Coulter photo)

Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters for Week 22 of the 2010 MLS season. Montero’s first goal tied the game at 1-1 in the 36th minute.

His second, was a goal winner that came in stoppage time.

Montero was the MLS Player of the Month for August, but this is his first weekly honor in 2010. In 2009 he won the honors in Week 1.

Chicago went up when John Thorrington burried a penalty kick in the 28th minute.  The kick from the penalty spot was called on Jeff Parke when a cross hit him in the arm.

Montero evened the match in the 36th minute off of a Tyson Wahl cross.

The Colombian recorded his brace with a header in stoppage time off of a Nate Sturgis cross.

Sounders FC move to 9-8-5 (32 points) and 6th in the MLS Table.

Montero now has 10 goal and 10 assists on the 2010 MLS campaign.

Seattle will host Chivas USA in the semifinal of the US Open Cup on Wednesday and will then play at New England on Saturday.

Scoring Summary
CHI — John Thorrington 1 (penalty kick) 28
SEA — Fredy Montero 9 (Tyson Wahl 1, Patrick Ianni 1) 36
SEA — Fredy Montero 10 (Nathan Sturgis 1, James Riley 3) 92+

Chicago Fire — Sean Johnson, Steven Kinney, C.J. Brown, Gonzalo Segares, Krzysztof Krol, Patrick Nyarko (Calen Carr 86), Logan Pause, John Thorrington, Baggio Husidic, Collins John, Freddie Ljungberg.

Substitutes Not Used: Mike Banner, Brian McBride, Marco Pappa, Deris Umanzor, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Andrew Dykstra.

TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Freddie Ljungberg 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (4 tied with 1); FOULS: 18 (Gonzalo Segares 5); OFFSIDES: 3 (3 tied with 1); CORNER KICKS: 3 (Freddie Ljungberg 3); SAVES: 2 (Sean Johnson 2)

Seattle Sounders FC — Kasey Keller, James Riley, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Sanna Nyassi (Steve Zakuani 62), Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis, Alvaro Fernandez (Roger Levesque 89), Fredy Montero, Blaise Nkufo (Nate Jaqua 82).

Substitutes Not Used: Tyrone Marshall, Zach Scott, Mike Seamon, Terry Boss.

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Fredy Montero 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Fredy Montero 4); FOULS: 13 (4 tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 2 (Blaise Nkufo 1, Steve Zakuani 1); CORNER KICKS: 6 (Nathan Sturgis 6); SAVES: 3 (Kasey Keller 3)

Misconduct Summary
CHI — Steven Kinney (caution; Reckless Tackle) 22
SEA — Fredy Montero (caution; Reckless Foul) 24
SEA — Blaise Nkufo (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 43
CHI — Freddie Ljungberg (caution; Reckless Foul) 83
SEA — Nate Jaqua (caution; Reckless Foul) 90

Referee: Ramon Hernandez
Referee’s Assistants: -Corey Rockwell; Paul Scott
4th Official: Landis Wiley
Attendance: 36,386
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear-and-65-degrees
All Statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial