It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year - the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs are on the horizon, and new stars are ready to emerge over the next month.
But before the chase for the MLS NEXT Pro Cup begins, let’s take one last look back at the final month of the regular season and spotlight the players and teams that stood out.
The MLS NEXT Pro editorial team, alongside league personnel, announcers, and club representatives, cast their votes to honor the best 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 - FC Cincinnati 2

September was a make-or-break month for FC Cincinnati 2, especially after enduring a four-match losing streak that put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Facing elimination during the last few weeks of the season, FCC2 responded with resilience. Reeling off four consecutive victories to close out the regular season, clinch a playoff berth, and the MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month award.
Leading the charge was their forward Stefan Chirila, who delivered four goals and two assists during the winning streak. His most memorable performance came against Columbus Crew 2 on September 25, when he scored twice and provided a corner-kick assist at the death to secure a crucial three points.
After locking in their playoff spot on Decision Day, the Orange and Blue will now face the East's second seed, Philadelphia Union II, on October 19.
Riding a wave of confidence, FC Cincinnati 2 will look to carry their late-season momentum into a potential upset victory and a deep postseason run.
Player of the Month - Jason Shokalook, Chicago Fire II

What a year it has been for Chicago Fire II striker Jason Shokalook.
The 23-year-old capped off his second professional season by winning the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot with 20 goals and adding four assists along the way.
Shokalook’s 20 goals in 22 matches set a new club record for the most goals scored in a single season for Chicago Fire II.
He caught fire down the stretch, scoring eight times in his final four games of the season to earn MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month honors for September.
With 2024 MLS NEXT Pro MVP David Poreba returning from the injury he suffered earlier in the year, Shokalook and Poreba now form one of the league’s most dangerous attacking duos as Chicago Fire II prepare to face New England Revolution II in their playoff quarterfinal match on October 19.
After a record-breaking year, the question now is, could Chicago Fire II become the first MLS NEXT Pro side to produce back-to-back MVPs?
Coach of the Month - Tyrone Marshall, FC Cincinnati 2

The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Year ended the regular season on a high note, guiding his side to a second consecutive playoff appearance.
Marshall and his team had their work cut out heading into September, but the group responded, stringing together one victory after another to close the campaign strong.
Under Marshall’s leadership, FC Cincinnati 2 locked in during a playoff-like environment in the final stretch of the season, proving that they are capable of turning their talented potential into results.
Offensively, Andrei Chirila and Kenji Mboma Dem led the charge, while Ademar Chavez provided crucial sparks in the final third.
Captain Peter Magione and Stiven Jimenez held down the midfield, with Noah Adnan, Andrei Chirila, and William Kuisel providing a solid defensive foundation.
After exiting in the quarterfinals last season, Marshall and Co. will be determined to go even further in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Goalkeeper of the Month - Eldin Jakupović, Chattanooga FC

Chattanooga FC continues to make history in MLS NEXT Pro.
The club not only secured a spot in the postseason for the first time since they joined MLS NEXT Pro but will also become the first independent team to host a playoff match in league history when they face Huntsville City FC on October 19.
Veteran goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović has been a cornerstone of Chattanooga FC's success, anchoring a defense that heads into the playoffs unbeaten in its last eight matches.
The 41-year-old finished the regular season with three clean sheets in his final five starts, earning MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month honors for September in the process.
"It's an honor to be acknowledged as the goalkeeper of the month. Even at my age, it makes me happy. It's proof that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can always improve, fight, train hard, and you can win some awards. It's all about believing in yourself and what you're doing,” said Jakupović.
“It's always nice to win awards like this because it validates your hard work. I have to thank the whole team for this award, because everyone's been playing very well, especially in these last eight or nine games since we've been unbeaten. The team deserves a big portion of the praise for this. I'm happy about this, but we're still not done!" Exclaimed the CFC goalkeeper.
With Chattanooga FC rediscovering their early-season form, the veteran goalkeeper will be a key piece as he leads his team into their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff appearance.
Rising Star of the Month: Ademar Chavez, FC Cincinnati 2

A key contributor to FC Cincinnati 2’s late-season surge was the Rising Star of September Ademar Chavez, a young talent who earned the trust of Head Coach Tyrone Marshall and started the final four matches of the regular season with the team in must-win mode.
The 16-year-old Chavez delivered his breakout performance against a strong New York Red Bulls II side, scoring his first two professional goals to lead FCC2 to a crucial 2-0 victory.
With the quaterfinals on the horizon, the young forward can further cement himself as one of MLS NEXT Pro’s youngest and most exciting rising stars.