21-year-old Midfielder also won Golden Boot Award and Named to Best XI in 2024
MLS NEXT Pro announced today that Chicago Fire FC II midfielder David Poreba has been named the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Most Valuable Player presented by adidas. The 21-year-old Chicago native and team captain led Fire II to its best-ever record in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024 (47 points, 11-8-9) - finishing 4th in the Eastern Conference and qualifying for the playoffs for the second straight season - while leading the League in goals (18). Poreba learned of the prestigious honor through a special surprise from his team and family, including his grandparents in Poland.
The MVP award is the culmination of a wave of League-wide recognition for Poreba, who also claimed the 2024 Golden Boot Award after leading all scorers during the regular season. He was also named to the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI list, one of four midfielders to be honored as the best in the League at their position. Poreba is the first Chicago Fire II player to receive an MLS NEXT Pro regular season award.
The Polish-American dual national started every match for Fire II in 2024 (28GP/28GS/2,509 minutes), ending the season tied for the highest goal contributions (20) in the League. Poreba was instrumental in Fire II continuing to improve its record year-over-year (2023: 43 points, 9-8-11, No. 6 Eastern Conference; 2022: 31 points, 8-11-5, No. 8 Eastern Conference). His performance earned Poreba three short-term call-ups to the Fire’s first team during the MLS regular season and once during Leagues Cup.
Poreba’s production continued in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, leading his team to the Conference Semifinals, the farthest Fire II had ever advanced in the postseason. He scored the equalizing goal against Orlando City B in the Conference Quarterfinals as well as successfully converted his shootout attempt, helping Fire II move on after a 5-4 shootout win over Orlando. In the Conference Semifinals, Poreba added another goal to his season tally (20 total), again scoring the equalizer against Columbus Crew 2 to level the match at 2-2, before Chicago eventually fell 3-2 to the defending Eastern Conference Champions.
The 2024 season was 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 (2,407 minutes; 27 starts) with Charlotte FC’s affiliate. Prior to joining Crown Legacy FC, Poreba spent time with Polish club Stal Mielec. Born and raised in the Chicago area, Poreba began his career as a member of the Chicago Fire Academy. After three seasons with the Fire, he became a member of the Chicago FC United Academy.
Finalists for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro MVP presented by adidas were: New York City FC II’s Taylor Calheira, North Texas SC’s Diego Garcia, Houston Dynamo 2’s Diego Gonzalez and St Louis CITY2’s Mykhi Joyner. Regular season awards were voted on by the Head Coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs as well as League content and broadcast teams.
MLS NEXT Pro MVP presented by adidas Winners
2024: David Poreba, Chicago Fire FC II
2023: Jack Lynn, Orlando City B
2022: Jacen Russell-Rowe, Columbus Crew 2
Check out David's interview with Michelle Montaine below:
