NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz, who scored six times in four matches, on Friday was named MLS Player of the Month for July.

A Guatemala native in his first MLS season, Ruiz became just the second player in league history to receive the award twice in the same season. MetroStars midfielder-forward Clint Mathis, a former member of the Galaxy, was honored for his performance in June and August of the 2000 season.

Ruiz scored in three straight games, helping the Galaxy go 2-0-1 in their final three matches of the month. After scoring once in each of his previous two games, Ruiz netted the opener nine minutes into the contest and the winner with 15 minutes left on July 27 as Los Angeles posted a 2-1 triumph over the Columbus Crew.

That effort also propelled Ruiz to the top of the MLS goal-scoring list this season with 16.

Ruiz got the nod ahead of Columbus forward Brian McBride, Chicago goalkeeper Zach Thornton, Kansas City goalkeeper Tony Meola and New England midfielder Steve Ralston.