Vancouver Whitecaps forward Octavio Rivero named MLS player of the month

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Octavio Rivero has been named Major League Soccer's player of the month for March.

The 23-year-old Uruguayan scored three goals in his first four MLS games, boosting the Whitecaps to a 3-1-0 start. Rivero scored his first career MLS goal in his debut on March 7, slipping behind Toronto FC's back line and placing a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Joe Bendik.

He scored the lone goal in Vancouver's 1-0 win over Chicago on March 14, then extended his goal-scoring streak with a stunning header in injury time in a 1-0 win over Orlando on March 21.

The Whitecaps host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.