CHICAGO -- The Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) has selected Chicago Fire forward Hristo Stoitchkov as MLS Player of the Month for July. In the month, Stoitchkov netted five goals and two assists for 12 points through five games as the Fire picked up an MLS-best 12 points with a 4-1-0 record. The Bulgarian superstar averaged 5.37 points per 90-minutes played over the stretch as he came off the bench in four of the five matches while recovering from a hamstring strain.

Stoitchkov dazzled fans with his performances in July, including a 20-yard chip shot over the head of Colorado's Scott Garlick to break a scoreless tie in stoppage time on July 14 at Soldier Field. One week later against Dallas, the 35-year-old set up a golden goal for teammate Eric Wynalda with a beautiful, bending cross from the left wing that found Wynalda's head just yards from goal. Stoitchkov had forced the game into overtime with a penalty kick in the 77th minute.

On the 4th of July, the former Barcelona forward netted a pair of goals in Chicago's 7-0 rout of the defending MLS champions Kansas City Wizards. Three days later he recorded the game-tying goal and the game-winning assist as Chicago bested Tampa Bay 3-2. A July 18 loss to the Miami Fusion was the only Fire game in which Stoitchkov did not score, but in 35 minutes of action he did force Miami goalkeeper Nick Rimando to protect the Fusion lead with a leaping save on a second-half free kick.

In addition to ensuring Chicago's place atop the Central Division with 36 points (11-4-3), Stoitchkov scored a pair of goals in the 2001 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as Chicago advanced to the semifinals with wins over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the Kansas City Wizards in July.

Chicago boasts the league's third best offense, and Stoitchkov is third on the team in scoring with 16 points (6g, 4a) and leads the team in shots (42), shots on goal (25) and corner kicks (36). Stoitchkov outdistanced the San Jose Earthquakes' Manny Lagos for this month's honor.

The MLS Player of the Month is selected by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).