CHICAGO (July 1, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC II and MLS NEXT Pro today announced that the team has been named MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 16 following a 3-1 road victory over Inter Miami CF II on Wednesday, June 25 and a 1-1 home draw and shootout win against Crown Legacy FC on Monday, June 30. With the results, Chicago has an eight-game unbeaten streak in the MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
Chicago kicked off Matchweek 16 with a 3-1 victory against Inter Miami CF II Wednesday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Midfielder Trip Fleming tallied a second half brace, including the game-winning goal in the 77th minute, while winger Claudio Cassano added a trio of assists in the match. Forward Jason Shokalook opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Five days later, the Fire returned home to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois to earn a 1-1 draw against Crown Legacy FC. Homegrown midfielder Dylan Borso tallied the lone goal of the match for Chicago and opened the shootout with a good shot, setting the tone for four other players (Cassano, Fleming, Shokalook and defender Diego Konincks) who knocked their kicks in for the additional point. The draw gave the Fire an eight-game unbeaten streak, the longest in a single season in team history and second behind a nine-game regular season run between the 2023 and 2024 season.
The weekly honor is the third of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro regular season for Chicago Fire II. The team last earned the honor on Matchweek 12, when the Fire welcomed 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff opponent Columbus Crew 2 with a 5-0 defeat at SeatGeek Stadium. Five different players scored for Chicago in the rematch as goalkeeper Patrick Los made three saves to record his second clean sheet of the year.
Chicago Fire FC II will open the second half of the season with a primetime battle against Chattanooga FC on Saturday, July 5. First kick at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn. is set for 6:00 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed across the globe on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
