Columbus Crew SC today announced that midfielder Justin Meram was voted Etihad Airways Player of the Month for October. It is the first Player of the Month honor for Meram in his MLS and Crew SC career. Voting for MLS Player of the Month, presented by Etihad, is open to the public. The five final nominees are chosen by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.

Meram earned the award following his goal and assist against the Chicago Fire on October 1st at MAPFRE Stadium and his three other assists on the month, one in each of Crew SC’s final three matches in October: at Chicago, at New York Red Bulls and at New York City FC. With a total of 13 assists on the season, the midfielder joins the company of Ethan Finlay (2015), Robert Warzycha (2000) and Jeff Cunningham (2001) for a four-way tie for the third-best assist campaign in Black & Gold history.

The four assists in four consecutive matches added to Meram's career-high 13-assist campaign this season and his goal gave him five on the season. Only Meram and Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls) registered four regular-season assists in the month of October, the most in MLS. The Crew SC midfielder also led the League in successful dribbles (16) and big chances created (3) in the month of October.

This is the 14th time in MLS history that a Crew SC player has been named Player of the Month. Meram is the first Crew SC player to earn the award since Dominic Oduro was awarded the honor in September 2013.