Joe Mansueto, Owner and Chairman, Chicago Fire Football Club | Chicago Fire FC
Joe Mansueto, Owner and Chairman, Chicago Fire Football Club | Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Fire FC II forward Jason Shokalook has been named to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, the league and the club announced on October 16, 2025. The Best XI recognizes the top players at each position in the league, as selected by Head Coaches, Chief Soccer Officers from MLS NEXT Pro clubs, as well as league broadcasters and content team members. Additional awards, including Pathway Player of the Year, Defender of the Year, and Goalkeeper of the Year, were also determined through this voting process. Match Officials of the Year were selected based on assessments from club coaching staff.
Shokalook earned this recognition after finishing the 2025 regular season as the league’s top scorer, winning the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot with 20 goals in 22 matches. This achievement marks a new single-season record for Chicago Fire II and follows David Poreba’s 18-goal campaign in 2024, making Fire II the first club in MLS NEXT Pro history to have back-to-back Golden Boot winners.
Shokalook joined Chicago Fire II in February 2024 after being chosen as the No. 35 overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Before joining the club, he played four years at the University of Akron, where he was named the 2023 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year. During his collegiate career, Shokalook made 59 appearances (41 starts), scoring 26 goals and providing 17 assists.
The full list of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI includes goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović (Chattanooga FC); defenders Gabriel Mikina (St Louis CITY2), Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union II), and Tate Robertson (Chattanooga FC); midfielders Nehuén Benedetti (New York Red Bulls II), Alan Carleton (Huntsville City FC), Marcos Dias (New England Revolution II), and Cruz Medina (The Town FC); and forwards Mykhi Joyner (St Louis CITY2), Sam Sarver (North Texas SC), and Jason Shokalook (Chicago Fire FC II).
Chicago Fire FC II is set to play New England Revolution II in the upcoming MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and will be available for global viewing on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
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