New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard was voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month by fans on MLSsoccer.com for the month of July of the 2016 MLS season.
In the month of July, Lampard scored six goals and added one assist, bringing his scoring total to eight goals on the season. The midfielder led New York City FC to a 4-2-0 record during the month as the team sits atop the Eastern Conference standings (36 points, 10-7-6 record). NYCFC is now 6-1-0 in matches where Lampard records a goal or assist, a feat he has accomplished in seven of the past eight games.
Lampard began the month in winning fashion, contributing an assist in NYCFC’s 2-0 victory over rival New York Red Bulls on July 3, the team’s first ever derby victory. With his squad already leading, Lampard made a key pass downfield leading to David Villa’s goal in the 66th minute to give New York City FC a two goal advantage.
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Days later, NYCFC extended its franchise-best winning streak to four matches with a 1-0 victory over New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on July 6. Lampard scored the winning goal in the 58th minute, placing himself perfectly in front of goal and deflecting a Tommy McNamara cross off his leg and into the back of the net.
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The highest scoring midfielder in English Premier League history once again found the back of the net in a 3-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Park on July 10. With NYCFC trailing by a goal in the 14th minute, Lampard received a pass in front of goal from teammate Ronald Matarrita, sending a left-footed strike past diving goalkeeper Tim Melia to bring the match even at 1-1.
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Lampard would go on to score in his third consecutive match on July 17, placing an exclamation mark on NYCFC’s impressive 3-1 victory over Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium. With NYCFC leading 2-1, Lampard collected a Villa pass in the box, battling a defender and sending a deflected shot attempt over goalkeeper Evan Bush’s head for the final score of the day.
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Lampard’s final performance of the month proved to be a landmark one as he scored the first hat trick in New York City FC history in a dominant 5-1 victory over Colorado Rapids at Yankee Stadium on July 30. In a beautiful set of passing, Diego Martinez crossed the ball into the box to Tommy McNamara, who redirected the ball with an accurate header directly to an outstretched Lampard, who easily finished for a 1-0 advantage in the 28th minute. With NYCFC holding a controlling advantage, Jack Harrison dribbled downfield, dishing off to Lampard in the box who then sent a powerful shot far post past goalkeeper Tim Howard for a 4-0 lead in the 81st minute. Lampard would then complete his first MLS hat trick with a penalty kick goal in the 84th minute to extend New York City’s lead to 5-0.
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New York City FC will next head west to take on San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium in Viernes de Futbol action on Friday, August 5 (11 p.m. ET, UniMás).
RELATED: New York City FC at San Jose Earthquakes: Match Preview
July Voting Results
New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard – 32.66%
Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson – 27.4%
Orlando City SC midfielder Kevin Molino – 20.75%
Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco – 12.56%
LA Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme – 6.63%
