Windy City, Blazing Talent: David Poreba's Chicago Fire Journey

The year 2024 certainly has not treated David Poreba too poorly. The 22-year-old Polish American midfielder took MLS NEXT Pro by storm, scoring 20 total goals for Chicago Fire II and winning the league's MVP award. On Wednesday, Poreba signed with Chicago Fire's first team, becoming the very first player to make that jump in club history.

"[Signing with the first team] means so much to me and it’s truly an honor," Poreba said. "Chicago is my hometown as well, so that of course makes it mean even more. It was always a dream of mine to play for the Fire. I remember going to first team games as a little kid and teenager, so that makes it very special. I’m just very grateful that the club is giving me this opportunity and I will do everything to make the most of it."

Poreba began his soccer career in Illinois playing for the Chicago Fire Academy. He made a brief trip overseas to play for Poland's Stial Mielec, though returned to the United States in due time. Crown Legacy FC, the affiliate of Charlotte FC, acquired Poreba on loan in 2023. He helped lead a star-studded team containing now-MLS contributors in Patrick Agyemang and Iuri Tavares to the best record in all of MLS NEXT Pro.

Stial Mielec sent Poreba out on a new loan in 2024, this time back home to Chicago. After his contract expired in Poland, he made the transfer to the Fire a permanent one. The move proved to be the right one, as Poreba won the Golden Boot and earned Best XI honors alongside his MVP award.

"I think [the success] was [driven by] multiple factors but having the trust and faith from the club, staff and my teammates was key," Poreba said. "I was named captain before the first game and it gave me a sense of confidence and responsibility to be a leader and key player to our success, and also just having the trust in me from everyone was important as well."

According to Opta, Poreba posted some nearly unfathomable numbers in 2024. The heavy goal total speaks for itself, but the scoring is just a part of the whole. Not only does he finish chances, but Poreba also created 2.05 chance per 90, which ranks in the 97th percentile at his position, across the league.

He also passed at 84.8% accuracy (92%), sent 2.65 accurate long balls per 90 (98%) and connected on 37.5% of crosses (86%). Poreba lives on the ball, touching the ball over 53 times per match, which is among the very most in the league. With that comes extra attention from opposing defenses, explaining the 2.81 fouls won per 90. Poreba is a player that simply works hard on the pitch, proven by his average of four ball recoveries a game.

"Another thing was definitely my work ethic and ambition," Poreba said. "Doing extra training when needed and taking care of my body outside the field was very important. In terms of my confidence right now, I’m very confident in myself for next year, but at the same time, I know I have things I need to improve on and sharpen and my goal is to work on those things this off-season.

Since MLS NEXT Pro was founded ahead of the 2022 season, a number of players have made the jump to the big leagues. The league initially launched with a mission of creating a professional pathway from MLS academies to first teams. Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi, Seattle's Paul Rothrock, Dallas' Bernard Kamungo and Columbus' Max Arfsten/Jacen Russell-Rowe/Mo Farsi are some of the prime examples. Poreba is primed to become the next addition to that list.

"In terms of things I’m thinking about [in MLS], I think about potentially playing in Soldier Field and other great stadiums," Poreba said. "Playing in front of a great fanbase and the amount of high level players across the team and league. I’m very excited for my development as not only a player, but [as a] person as well."

Poreba of course has dreams of MLS glory, but he remains grounded in his approach. He has already proved his talent and subsequently earned a roster spot. When it comes to professional sports, the next step is to continue putting in the work and patiently await an opportunity to shine. In a Chicago Fire side that finished last place in the Eastern Conference and is now managed by Gregg Berhalter, that chance to showcase his abilities may come sooner rather than later.

"For me, above all, I will always give more than 100% because I believe that’s the minimum, Poreba said. "Adding to that, I think I am an intelligent midfielder that has a good instinct for the goal and is versatile, so [I] can play multiple positions. But most importantly, I do whatever it takes to win."