Ibarra receives honor

Former UC Irvine All-American Miguel Ibarra has been named North American Soccer League Player of the Month, as voted upon by league media.

Ibarra, a midfielder for the Minnesota United, was twice NASL Player of the Week in September. In his last three matches, he has four goals and one assist.

“Individually Miguel has had some outstanding games,” Minnesota Coach Manny Lagos said. “He has really stepped up his game individually these last few weeks at a time when the team really needed him to do so. It’s a sign of his maturation. He is doing a lot of the little things that really make a big difference as you start to become a consistent professional. It’s the little things that you do in preparation for games and Miguel has really stepped up and taken charge and it’s certainly showing in his play over the past month.”

Ibarra signed with Minnesota in 2012 after playing four years in the fourth division and college. While at UCI, Ibarra was named the Big West Co-Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big West.

He immediately became a key part of Minnesota’s roster, helping the team to a second straight championship appearance in 2012.

So far in 2014, he has eight goals and five assists.

Ibarra has been named to the Team of the Week the past three weeks, making it six times this year he has been so honored.

Ibarra was also added to the United States national team roster for two international friendlies this month.

— From staff reports