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Kevin Hartman has been named MLS Player of the Month for August by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you that I nominated Hartman for the award. Here's what I wrote for his nomination. Having nominated Hartman I of course voted for him.

Hartman was nothing short of spectacular in August, keeping Dallas in several games and almost single-handedly winning others. Two shutouts, Chivas USA home and Columbus road (to get the road unbeaten record); 2 goals allowed in four games; 12 saves in four games (several of them game savers). Hartman's 0.50 GAA in August drops his now league leading GAA to 0.65 for the season.

Coach Hyndman after Chivas USA match “Kevin Hartman continuously comes up with the biggest save of the year. Every time I think it’s the biggest save of the year, there’s another one that’s coming.”

And here's FCD's pr on Hartman's win...

Kevin Hartman named MLS Player of the Month
Veteran goalkeeper having career year with FC Dallas

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 1, 2010) – After leading FC Dallas to a 3-0-1 record in August, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was named Major League Soccer’s Player of the Month for August, the league announced today. The award is voted on by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR).

“This is a tremendous honor for Kevin and for FC Dallas,” FC Dallas Head Coach Schellas Hyndman said. “His direction out of the back is amazing and he has saved us time and time again. He has made some outstanding saves. He is playing some of the best soccer of his career right now.”

The 36-year-old made 12 saves and had two shutouts last month as FC Dallas extended its unbeaten streak to 12 games. Hartman’s 0.50 goals against average in the past four matches has lowered his season average to a league-leading 0.65. By closing out August with a 0-0 draw on the road against the Eastern Conference leading Columbus Crew, Hartman helped FC Dallas claim the all-time MLS road unbeaten streak record (10 games).

Since joining FC Dallas on March 8, 2010, Hartman has added nine wins, seven shutouts and 50 saves to his career totals. He holds the all-time MLS goalkeeping records for wins (155), shutouts (91), saves (1285) and games played (350). He ranks third in all-time MLS goals against average (1.21) behind Pat Onstad (1.10) and Jon Busch (1.19).

Hartman made two saves in his first appearance for FC Dallas in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on April 10. Since taking over as the FC Dallas starter on May 5, Hartman has logged 90 minutes in 16 consecutive matches. He has not allowed more than one goal per game during that period.

Kevin Hartman beat out 12 other nominees for the honor, including teammates Brek Shea and David Ferreira. Seattle's Fredy Montero finished second, with Real Salt Lake's Javier Morales, Shea and Ferreira also getting nods form NASR voters.

FC Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham was named MLS Player of the Week for his two goal performance against Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Cunningham came on as a sub at halftime for the somewhat ineffective Eric Avila as FCD head man Schellas Hyndman looked to take advantage of the short handed Union side by playing two strikers.

Cunningham grabbed his first in the 75th minute on a header from Brek Shea. The second Cunningham goal came in the 81st minute when he beat the defense to a wonderful lead pass by David Ferreira to slip the ball past the on rushing Union keeper.

Cunningham had several other opportunities and could have gotten the hat trick as he hit the bar with a header in the 58th minute as well.

The MLS Player of the Week is selected by the North American Soccer Reporters.