Chicago Fire II's Jason Shokalook Reflects on MLS Debut, Two-Day MLS Next Pro Match

You never know when your number is going to get called in the course of a Major League Soccer season, and Chicago Fire II’s Jason Shokalook made the most of his opportunity with the first team.

Shokalook, 22, was signed by the Chicago Fire to a short-term agreement ahead of their match against D.C. United due to the injury to Hugo Cuypers and the second-year pro got to make his MLS debut late with his side up big in Washington D.C.

Ohe of the Fire’s second round picks (35th overall) in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft was the Fire’s final substitute in the 76th minute when he replaced Tom Barlow, who won MLS Player of Matchday 18 after scoring a hat trick in the match, and made an impact that added another goal to Chicago’s total.

The 2023 Big East Offensive Player of the Year collected his first MLS assist in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when he held off the defender before finding an open Brian Gutiérrez to secure the Fire’s 7-1 road win.

For the Erie, Pennsylvania native, capping of his MLS debut was the culmination of years of hard work that goes back before his professional soccer career began.

“I really, really have worked a lot last year,” Shokalook said after Fire II’s match against New England Revolution concluded on Monday. “ It wasn't easy, and I think that's part of the journey, you have to go through those moments, and you have to fight through those moments and come out stronger.

“I really, really wanted to score on my debut as a striker. I think that's natural. I really was trying everything I could to get a goal, but the opportunity came, and the assist was great. It was a great moment.

Shokalook’s mother and aunt were in the crowd for his MLS debut in the nation’s capital, and the striker was able to give his mother his game jersey and share a loving moment with them following the contest.

“That was an incredibly special moment because my mom sacrificed a lot for me to be here. My dad, I got to call him after the game, and everyone was just super happy. My mom, my dad, my grandpa, then all of my good friends, they've supported me through thick and thin every time they've been there for every good moment, bad moment. So to share that moment with them was super, super special.”

The emotions were high for Shokalook after his MLS debut but he still had more on his plate for the weekend and it ended up being a longer affair than anyone expected.

Chicago Fire II’s match against New England Revolution II began on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. but was halted due to lightning in the 21st minute of play. After nearly three hours of delays, the pitch at SeatGeek Stadium was rendered unplayable, and the match was postponed until Monday morning. Revolution II ended up winning the extra point from the penalty spot (5-4 PKs) after the two sides were tied at two after ninety minutes.

It was difficult to manage the emotions after his debut, but Shokalook said it required plenty of mental preparation to play an MLS Next Pro match over two days

“You get yourself jacked up every time for it, so it takes a lot mentally, but it's just playing every day. So I just tried to show up and give everything I could Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for the team, and great results. Sunday, we got delayed and now we came back and got an unfortunate call, but we're gonna keep pushing and just trying to keep winning games.”

Shokalook is still the third striker in the Fire organization, and should Hugo Cuypers miss more time due to injury, the second-year forward should see more time in MLS.