VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Camilo Sanvezzo has been named the league’s Player of the Month for July. The Brazilian becomes the first player in Whitecaps FC MLS history to win the accolade, having picked up the award after a near unanimous ballot from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).
In a month where he received his second MLS Player of the Week award of the season, Camilo scored four goals in five matches to rocket straight to the top of the league’s goalscoring charts, currently sitting tied for the league lead with 13 goals this campaign. Camilo also became the second Whitecaps FC player to represent the club at the MLS All-Star game on Wednesday, setting up the lone goal for the league’s side against AS Roma.
The 5-foot-7 goalscorer opened the month with a bang, notching Vancouver’s tying goal as the ‘Caps earned a 1-1 draw away at in-form Sporting Kansas City on July 3. The South American curled an inch-perfect free kick into the top corner and was duly nominated for Goal of the Week for the effort.
On July 14 against Chicago Fire, the red-hot striker ran rampant with two goals to put out the Fire. His first was the historic 100th tally for Whitecaps FC as he expertly brought down a long-ball from Brad Knighton, setting off on a mazy run towards goal before producing a cool finish. For his second, Camilo latched onto a through ball from Kekuta Manneh and, after being foiled by the ‘keeper first time around, kept his composure to slot the ball into the far corner.
Against LA Galaxy on July 20, Camilo added to his stats, collecting a neat flick from Russell Teibert before confidently putting the ball past Galaxy ‘keeper Carlo Cudicini.
To cap off a stellar month for Vancouver’s all-time top-scorer in MLS, Camilo also turned out for the MLS All-Stars as they took on Italian powerhouse AS Roma. Camilo came on in the 24th minute and provided an assist for LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez for the All-Stars’ only goal of a 3-1 defeat.
Next up for Whitecaps FC is an important Cascadia Cup match against Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field this Saturday, August 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on City, Sportsnet ONE, and Bell mobile devices. 'Caps fans can also listen to Saturday’s match live on TEAM 1410 radio and teamradio.ca
The MLS Player of the Month is selected each month 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 soccerreporters.com.
