July brought out the best across all of MLS NEXT Pro.
With the second half of the season in full swing, playoff races are beginning to take shape and every match carries added weight, pushing players and clubs across the league to raise their level of play each game.
Now, it's time to recognize the individuals and teams who made the biggest impact in the July edition of the MLS NEXT Pro Monthly Awards.
The MLS NEXT Pro editorial team, alongside league personnel, announcers, and club representatives, casted their votes to honor the standout performers from across the league.
Awards were handed out for Team, Player, Coach, Goalkeeper, and Rising Star of the Month.
Here are the winners:
Team of the Month - Chicago Fire II
Three wins? Check.
A historic offensive outburst? Check.
A rise into the top four in the East? Check.
Chicago Fire II made it look easy during the month of July and have earned the MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month award after a dominant run of form to close out the month.
Fire II began July with a win over Chattanooga FC and a narrow road loss to New England Revolution II, before closing the month with back-to-back victories over Toronto FC II and New York Red Bulls II.
Their final game of the month, a 9-2 home win against the Eastern Conference leaders NY Red Bulls II, set a new MLS NEXT Pro record for the highest combined goal total in a single match and marked the largest margin of victory in Fire II history.
Leading the charge offensively were Claudio Cassano (3 goals, 3 assists in three games in July) and Jason Shokalook, who was recognized with the Player of Matchweek 20 honor after scoring four goals and adding an assist in the historic bout.
With the Fire II attack firing on all cylinders, Mike Matkovich's side is one to keep an eye on as we approach the back half of the regular season.
Player of the Month - Sam Sarver, North Texas SC
July belonged to Sam Sarver.
The 22-year-old forward tallied five goals and two assists in three appearances while also helping North Texas SC lift the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Invitational trophy against Club Deportivo Tapatío.
Oh, and he also secured an FC Dallas contract in the process.
“I’m grateful to be named MLS NEXT Pro player of the month." Said Sarver. "I want to thank my coaching staff, and my teammates as well. I want to keep pushing for more and help the team win trophies come the end of the season.”
The former Hoosier opened July with a pair of assists in a 3-1 road win over MNUFC2, setting the tone for a breakout month.
His breakthrough moment took place a couple of games later when he scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Sporting KC II.
The haul (or poker, however you want to call it) not only etched his name into North Texas SC history as the first player in their history to score four goals in a single match, but it also pushed him to the top of the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race, where he remains at the time of writing with 15 goals.
Sarver's goal-scoring form didn’t go unnoticed for long. The very next night, Sarver was called up by FC Dallas and secured a late penalty to help close out a 3-0 win over St Louis CITY.
Five days later, he signed his first-team contract.
With a month like that, it’s no surprise Sarver was named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for July.
The scary part? He’s just getting started.
Coach of the Month - John Hackworth, St Louis CITY2
May 11. That date was the last time St Louis CITY2 lost in regulation.
More than 80 days later, John Hackworth’s squad has gone unbeaten in 10 straight games and sits firmly atop the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference with 43 points.
During July, CITY2 claimed three victories and one shootout win, keeping an unbeaten record during the month and earning John Hackworth the MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month award.
“It is an honor to be recognized, but these players and the staff are the reason for the success we have had over the past few months,” said interim Head Coach John Hackworth. “Despite all the changes, this group has shown great perseverance, and I know they will continue to do so through the rest of this season.”
With five matches on deck in August, CITY2 has a chance to surpass the 14-game unbeaten record set by Crown Legacy FC in 2023. Whether they reach that mark remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Hackworth has this group locked in.
After falling just short of a second MLS NEXT Pro Cup appearance last season, the 2025 St Louis CITY2 revenge tour seems to be in full swing.
Goalkeeper of the Month - Christian Olivares, St Louis CITY2
23-year-old Christian Olivares has been named MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for July after a string of strong performances helped keep St Louis CITY2’s unbeaten run alive.
“This recognition means a lot to me, and I am grateful to be surrounded by amazing teammates and coaches who challenge me every day to be the best,” said Olivares after earning the award. "The performances we have put out on the field recently reflect the strong unity within the team.”
Olivares played a key role during his three appearances in July and was clutch in CITY2’s shootout win over Ventura County FC, coming up big with two saves in the shootout to secure the extra point.
The Tacoma, Washington native has been part of the St Louis CITY organization since 2023 and continues to prove his reliability between the posts every time his name is on the team sheet.
Rising Star of the Month: Dylan Vanney, Ventura County FC
Make it two MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Month awards for Dylan Vanney this season.
The 17-year-old Ventura County FC midfielder added a second award to his name in July thanks to another solid month of play.
Vanney made three starts in July, knocking in a goal and providing an assist while continuing to be a reliable presence in Matt Taylor’s midfield.
The LA Galaxy product now has four goals and three assists on the season, logging nearly 1,500 minutes in his first pro campaign.
VCFC currently sits in second place in the Western Conference and with nine games left in the regular season, Vanney’s presence in the middle of the park will be key to securing a home playoff match come October.
