Tue Jul 1 18:55:48 2008

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D.C.'s Emilio named MLS Player of the Month

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Washington, DC (Sports Network) - D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio was named Major League Soccer's Player of the Month for June on Tuesday for scoring seven goals and adding one assist in a perfect month for his club.

D.C. went 4-0-0 in June and vaulted from last place in the Eastern Conference to third. With 10 goals this season, Emilio is currently tied with Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy for second place in goals in MLS. The Galaxy's Landon Donovan leads the league with 11 goals.

Emilio began the month with a dramatic game-winning goal on the road against the Chicago Fire. Playing a man down after Marcelo Gallardo had been sent off, Emilio struck in the second minute of stoppage time, shocking the home crowd and sending United home with a 2-1 victory.

The 30-year old Brazilian followed with his first MLS hat trick as D.C. United prevailed 4-1 on June 14 against Red Bull New York.

Emilio continued his scoring streak in the 88th minute of Uniteds 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on June 22.

He closed the month last Sunday in impressive fashion against the Western Conference leading Galaxy. After the Galaxy leveled the score at 1, Emilio scored what would prove to be the game winner on a header.

He provided an assist on a Gallardo goal in the 60th minute, and scored again in the 68th to seal the 4-1 victory over the Galaxy.

Emilio, who scored 20 goals last season to win the Most Valuable Player award, has nine goals in his last six games overall. United is currently riding a six- game unbeaten streak. Following a 2-7 start to the campaign, D.C. is now 7-7-1.

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).