Forward Jason Shokalook was also named Player of the Matchweek for his four-goal performance in Chicago’s historic 9-2 win over New York
CHICAGO (July 28, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC II and MLS NEXT Pro today announced that the team has been named MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 20 following a record-breaking 9-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, July 27. Additionally, Chicago Fire II forward Jason Shokalook was named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchweek for his career-high four goals and assist in the match.
Shokalook and the Fire earned the distinctions after he opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season in the sixth minute. The Pennsylvania native then scored two more goals within the opening 20 minutes of the match, before adding his fourth and final goal in the 63rd minute. Midfielder Claudio Cassano assisted him and added two goals and another assist to defender Jean-Alpha Diouf, helping Chicago Fire II post the largest goal total and margin of victory in a single match in team history.
With 11 combined goals, the match featured the greatest number of goals ever recorded in an MLS NEXT Pro match. The margin of victory was the largest in the league since Columbus Crew 2 defeated rivals FC Cincinnati 2 9-0 on Sept. 18, 2022.
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 16, when the Fire earned 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, both in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak. Shokalook’s is his first honor as a professional, having received multiple accolades in his four-year career at the University of Akron, including being named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Chicago Fire FC II will face Eastern Conference rivals Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, August 3 at SeatGeek Stadium. First kick in Bridgeview is set for 1:00 p.m. CT. Admission is free for all fans, and the match will be streamed globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
