DeAndre Beckford, Harrison Bernhardt, Christopher Morales and Oscar Pineda become the latest Academy players to sign a contract with Chicago Fire II
CHICAGO (Aug. 28, 2026) – Chicago Fire FC II today announced that the Club has signed four Chicago Fire Academy players to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. Winger DeAndre Beckford and midfielders Harrison Bernhardt, Christopher Morales, and Oscar Pineda join Chicago Fire II as full-time players after distinguished careers in the Academy.
“Four signings in one window are an example of the outstanding development occurring within the Academy,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Gregg Broughton. “Chicago Fire FC II deliberately fields the youngest roster in MLS NEXT Pro to showcase the qualities of players like DeAndre, Harrison, Christopher and Oscar. The way they have handled themselves against older competition this season was a clear signal they were ready to take the next step in our player pathway.”
Winger DeAndre Beckford
Beckford, 15, has featured heavily on Chicago’s U-18 side despite his age, regularly scoring from the left wing. Most notably, Beckford kicked off the 2025-26 season with the U-16s with a standout performance in the 2025 Green Eyes International Tournament in Morocco. The winger was named Best Player of the Tournament while playing against some of the best prospects in Moroccan football and other highly touted youth players from European giants like AFC Ajax and S.L. Benfica.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs Academy winger DeAndre Beckford to MLS NEXT Pro contract.
Name: DeAndre Beckford
Position: Winger
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 145 lbs.
Date of Birth: Dec. 23, 2010
Hometown: Skokie, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America
Midfielder Harrison Bernhardt
After a strong season as a deep-lying playmaker in the Fire U-16 and U-18 sides, Bernhardt has featured regularly for Chicago Fire II this summer. He made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in a 2-2 road draw against Chattanooga FC on June 27 while still a member of the U-16s. Since then, he has appeared in 10 matches with CFII, both in his customary role in the central midfield and out wide.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs Academy midfielder Harrison Bernhardt to MLS NEXT Pro contract.
Name: Harrison Bernhardt
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 147 lbs.
Date of Birth: Jan. 20, 2009
Hometown: Plainfield, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America
Midfielder Christopher Morales
A regular call-up with the U.S. Boys’ National Teams, Morales has been a regular contributor with multiple Academy teams as a 15-year-old capable of playing at the U-18 level. The central midfielder followed a big season at the U-16 level with his MLS NEXT Pro debut on June 6 against Atlanta United 2. He was then named to the 2026 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, where he made headlines recording three assists in one half in the East All-Stars' 6-1 win over the West All-Stars on July 27.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs Academy midfielder Christopher Morales to MLS NEXT Pro contract.
Name: Christopher Morales
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 137 lbs.
Date of Birth: Nov. 28, 2010
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America
Midfielder Oscar Pineda
Pineda has become a fixture on the Chicago Fire II lineup, playing in all but one MLS NEXT Pro match in 2026. The 18-year-old has trained regularly with the Fire’s first team, often in the same sessions as his brother, Homegrown midfielder Mauricio Pineda. He followed his second team debut in March 2025 with a call-up to the Mexico U-17 Men’s National Team, with whom he played all five matches of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup last November.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC II signs Academy midfielder Oscar Pineda to MLS NEXT Pro contract.
Name: Oscar Pineda
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 168 lbs.
Date of Birth: July 29, 2008
Hometown: Bolingbrook, Ill.
Citizenship: United States of America, Mexico
