(Sports Network) - Columbus Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Month for August, it was announced on Thursday. Schelotto scored a goal while also recording six assists to lead the Crew to a 3-1-0 record during the month. Columbus holds the top record in MLS at 12-6-4, and with 40 points sits two points ahead of the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference table.

"He's definitely a special player," Crew coach Sigi Schmid said of Schelotto.

Since joining the Crew in 2007 from storied Argentine club Boca Juniors, Schelotto has proven to be one of the best set-up men in the league. He was a member of the 2007 MLS Best XI after finishing tied for third in the league with 11 assists. His 16 assists this season are the most for an individual in MLS since the 2003 season when Preki recorded 17. In 44 career MLS games, Schelotto has recorded 27 assists and 11 goals.

"[Schelotto] has the ability to make special plays," Schmid said. "He has the ability to make plays that decide games. And he's done it for us all season, and the guys know what he can do. He came into our team last year, and just being around the whole year makes a big difference; everybody understands him and everybody respects him for what he does."

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 (SoccerReporters.com). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.

Below are the 2008 player of the month winners to date:

April: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

May: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire)

June: Luciano Emilio (D.C. United)

July: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

August: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)



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