Chicago sent the match to added extra time after equalizing three times in regulation time
Montclair, N.J. (Oct. 26, 2025) – Chicago Fire FC II fell 5-3 in added extra time against New York Red Bulls II in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs at MSU Soccer Park. Forward Jason Shokalook recorded a playoff brace for the first time in Chicago Fire II history, preceding Sam Williams’ first goal with the team.
The match kicked off with end-to-end action within the opening 10 minutes. The hosts tallied in the fifth minute when Rafael Mosquera recovered a turnover before passing to Andy Rojas, whose shot deflected through the Fire defense and in. But seconds after the restart, Jean Diouf lofted a pass to Shokalook, who took a touch before chipping the ball over the goalkeeper for the equalizer.
In the 25th minute, Roald Mitchell gave the Red Bulls the 2-1 lead. But again, the Fire answered back on a counter attack, when Shokalook pounced on a rebound to tie the match a second time. The Red Bulls would score once more in the 42nd minute, taking a 3-2 lead into halftime.
But eight minutes into the second half, the visitors tied for a third time. On a corner kick by David Poreba, Academy defender Josue Pfrommer headed the ball into the top of the six-yard-box, where midfielder Sam Williams finished for his first goal with Chicago Fire II across all competitions.
Despite further chances, both sides settled for a draw after 90 minutes of play, and again for the opening 15 minutes of added extra time. But the hosts finally broke through in the 111th, when Rojas tallied his second goal of the game. Chicago pushed for a fourth equalizer, but New York exploited the push with a counter attack goal to finish off the match and put an end to the Fire’s 2025 campaign.
Social: X - @ChicagoFireFCII (Hashtags: #ChicagoFireII) | Instagram - @chicagofirefcii | Facebook
Box Score:
New York Bulls II 5:3 Chicago Fire FC II
Goals:
NY - Rojas (1) (Mosquera 1) (WATCH) 5’
CHI - Shokalook (1) (Diouf 1) (WATCH) 6’
NY - Mitchell (2) (Mina 1) (WATCH) 25’
CHI - Shokalook (2) (WATCH) 28’
NY - Collahuazo (1) (Worth 2) (WATCH) 42’
CHI - S. Williams (1) (Pfrommer 1) (WATCH) 53’
RBNY - Rojas (2) (Benedetti 2) (WATCH) 111’
RBNY - Jiménez (1) (Mosquera 2) (WATCH) 120’ +2
Discipline:
RBNY - Mina (Yellow Card) 80’
CHI - Shokalook (Yellow Card) 89’
RBNY - Rojas (Yellow Card) 97’
CHI - Diouf (Yellow Card) 102’
Chicago Fire FC II: GK Molenda, D Fleming (Capt.), D Pfrommer (Berg, 112’), D Fleming, D Kanyane, D Nagle, M S. Williams, M Poreba, F Borso (Boltz, 112’), F Shokalook, F Nigg
Substitutes not used: GK Pratt, M Herrera, M Turdean, M Calle, F Napoe, F B. Williams
New York Red Bulls II: GK Causey, D Mina, D Gutierrez, D Colllahuazo, D Dos Santos (Ofori, 106’), M Benedetti (Rosborough, 117’), M Mehmeti (capt.), M Worth, F Mosquera, F Mitchell (Jiménez, 71’), F Rojas
Substitutes not used: GK Szewczyk, D Schwarz, M Modelo, M Rodriguez, M Nelich, M Scuro
Stats Summary: RBNY / CHI
Shots: 24 / 12
Shots on Goal: 8 / 9
Passing Accuracy: 81.8% / 70.4%
Saves: 6 / 3
Corners: 9 / 6
Fouls: 18 / 17
Offsides: 7 / 0
Referee: Benjamin Meyer
Assistant Referee 1: Zachary McWhorter
Assistant Referee 2: Christian Little
Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder
