21-year-old Midfielder Finishes 2024 Campaign with 18 Goals to Help Chicago Fire FC II Secure Second Consecutive Playoff Berth
MLS NEXT Pro announced today following the conclusion of the 2024 regular season that Chicago Fire FC II midfielder David Poreba won the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot Award after leading the League with 18 goals. Poreba’s offensive production this season helped his Club clinch its second consecutive playoff berth, finishing the regular season as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference (47 points, 11-8-9).
The American-Polish dual national started every match for Fire II in 2024 (28GP/28GS), posting 2,509 minutes in the regular season. Poreba finished the campaign with a significant lead in the Golden Boot race, outscoring St Louis CITY2’s Mykhi Joyner (16 goals) and New York City FC II’s Taylor Calheira (14 goals).
A Chicago native, the 2024 season is Poreba’s first with the Fire after spending 2023 with Crown Legacy FC, where he was the Club’s first-ever signing ahead of its inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro. Poreba contributed six goals in 29 games played (2,407 minutes; 27 starts) with Charlotte FC’s affiliate. Prior to joining Crown Legacy FC, Poreba spent time with Polish top-flight club Stal Mielec.
Chicago Fire FC II will learn its opponent for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs on Tuesday, as the League’s “Pick-Your-Opponent" playoff format returns after its well-received debut in 2023. The drama will continue on Tuesday, October 8, when the “Pick-Your-Opponent” playoff format returns – and you can watch the selection process unfold live on MLSNEXTPro.com, X, and Instagram. As the No. 4 seed, Chicago will host an opening round match, facing the team not selected by No. 1 FC Cincinnati 2, No. 2 Philadelphia Union II, or No. 3 Inter Miami II. The first round of the Playoffs, the Conference Quarterfinals, will be held the weekend of October 18-20.
All 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoff matches and MLS NEXT Pro Cup (November 8-10) will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Previous Golden Boot Award Winners
2023: Jack Lynn, Orlando City B; Rémi Cabral, Colorado Rapids 2; MD Myers, New York City FC II (19 goals)
2022: Jacen Russell-Rowe, Columbus Crew 2 (21 goals)
