FC Cincinnati Academy forward Stefan Chirila has been named the MLS NEXT Rising Star for Matchweek 10, the league announced today. It is the second consecutive week that the U17 forward has been named in MLS NEXT Pro’s weekly honors for standout performances across the league.
Following a 1-0 win against Columbus Crew 2 on May 19, a match in which Chirila scored the only goal to earn the Orange and Blue three points and a first ever win against Crew 2, Chirila produced his best statistical outing at the MLS NEXT Pro level against New York Red Bulls II.
Chirila scored two goals, his first multi-goal performance of his MLSNP career, and added one assist across a full 90 minutes of action against New York. Chirila took five shots against New York, a team-high, and has led the team in scoring chances for three consecutive weeks.
While the Orange and Blue earned a comfortable 4-1 win against Red Bulls II on Sunday night, Chirila’s first goal of the match would prove to be the winner, a sublime free kick from just outside the New York 18-yard box.
Chirila’s goal has also been nominated for Goal of the Matchweek for Matchweek 10. Chirila will look to become the second player to win the honor for a goal scored for FC Cincinnati 2, following Gerardo Valenzuela’s goal in Matchweek 7. Voting for Goal of the Matchweek will take place on MLS NEXT Pro's X page later this afternoon.
FC Cincinnati 2 return home to Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium this Sunday, May 26, as they take on Inter Miami CF II at 7 p.m. ET before heading back on the road for their next two MLS NEXT Pro matches.
Tickets for Sunday’s match can be claimed through the FC Cincinnati App with a SeatGeek account. Instructions on how to redeem tickets can be found here.
