Lampard wins MLS Player of the Month for inspired July performances

Fresh off an MLS Player of the Week nod, New York City FC star midfielder Frank Lampard has been awarded the league's Player of the Month accolade for July, beating Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson in the vote.

Lampard had a strong month that saw him score six goals in as many matches for the Pigeons, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over the Colorado Rapids at the end of July - the first in franchise history.

He has notched eight goals and recorded one assist thus far in 2016.

Earlier in the year, Lampard spearheaded a list of the most overrated players in Major League Soccer, criticised for being sidelined with a calf injury while raking in his $6-million-per-year salary.

But the former Chelsea man proved his critics sorely wrong in July, as he helped his side climb to first in the Eastern Conference with four wins and two losses.