IMAGE, NYCOSMOS.COM

by JAKE NUTTING

On the eve of his team’s semifinal encounter with Rayo OKC, New York Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango has been named the NASL’s Player of the Month.

“This is a great honor for me and the organization because we have worked very hard to be where we are today,” Arango said. “We are staying focused on The Championship and we want to continue with the good run of results we had during October.”

Arango earned the award for his superb performances throughout October, in which he recorded four goals and three assists to push the Cosmos over the top for the Fall Season title and first-place finish in the league’s combined standings.

“This is a very deserving award for Juan because he is having an outstanding season,” said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. “October was a good month for the team and Juan played a big role in most of the games. I look forward to The Championship and what he will be able to contribute.”

The 36-year-old was one of the league’s top performers over the course of his first year in New York, finishing tied for second in the NASL in both goals and assists, tallying 15 and seven in each respective category.

The Cosmos will look to Arango to continue acting as the linchpin of their attack as they gear up to defend their league title on The Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason competition.