The MLSNEXTPro.com editorial team, several league personnel, announcers, and the clubs themselves voted on the top performers across the league during July, declaring a Team, Coach, Goalkeeper, and Player of the Month.
The voting process entailed performances taken strictly from MLS NEXT Pro league matches from August 1 - August 30.
Player of the month: Joao Klauss
The 25-year-old forward lit up August, scoring four goals and adding three assists over four matches and just 219 minutes. Klauss registered six shots on target through 13 attempts.
Scoring a brace against both Earthquakes II and Timbers2 in their final matches of August, Klauss helped CITY2 to an undefeated August. The striker started three of their four matches, finding himself on the scoresheet in just as many.
This is Klauss’ first nomination after his first month in action with his new club.
“I want to say Thank You to everyone that voted for me for this honor. This honor is a team honor and couldn’t have achieved it without the help of my teammates."
Other nominees:
Jesus Bueno, Piladelphia Union II
Isaiah Parente, Columbus Crew 2
Shanyder Borgelin, Inter Miami CF II
Kyle Edwards, Houston Dynamo 2
Coach of the month: John Hackworth
John Hackworth led CITY2 to an undefeated August where his side won all four of their matches, three of which took place on the road.
CITY2 also clinched a spot in the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs in August and Hackworth has positioned his side nicely to tune in on the finer details ahead of the inaugural postseason campaign.
“Our team had a strong run of form during a grueling stretch of road matches in the month of August. It is always nice to be acknowledged for an honor like this but I can’t be successful without the full buy-in from the support staff, assistant coaches, and players. They deserve this award as much as I do.”
Other nominees:
Erik Bushey, Colorado Rapids 2
Laurent Courtois, Columbus Crew 2
Marlon LeBlanc, Philadelphia Union II
Kenny Bundy, Houston Dynamo 2
Team of the month: St Louis CITY2
CITY2's four wins during the month of saw it outscore opponents 16-7, despite primarily being on the road.
As mentioned above, the addition of Klauss and Hackworth's savvy management headline some of the major talking points, while first-team goalkeeper in-waiting Roman Burki's arrival brought a veteran moxie that has helped elevate the defense to fourth best in the West in the Goals Allowed category.
This is CITY2's third nomination and second time winning Team of the Month.
Other nominees:
Columbus Crew 2
Philadelphia Union II
St Louis CITY2
Colorado Rapids 2
Goalkeeper of the month: Patrick Schulte
The 21-year-old Crew 2 goalkeeper took home Goalkeeper of the Month on his first-ever nomination.
In the month, Schulte kept two clean sheets which helped his side stay unbeaten in four consecutive matches. The momentum has helped carry Crew 2 to clinching the top seed in the Eastern conference and maintain a league-best 21 goals allowed on the campaign.
The Crew 2 shot-stopper was grateful to see that his on-field performances were recognized and showed his humble demeanor when remarking on the honor.
“Being recognized as the MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month means a lot, we’ve put in a lot of hard work, but a lot of credit goes to the defense in front of me and the whole team as well. We play a very pressing style and they make my job a lot easier. It feels good to get the recognition, but a lot of credit goes out to the team, they help me out.”
Other nominees:
Luka Gavran, TFC II
Xavier Valdez, Houston Dynamo 2
Antonio Carrera, North Texas SC
Brooks Thompson, Philadelphia Union II
