The Chicago Fire have signed SuperDraft pick Jack Sandemeyer to an MLS Next Pro contract for the 2026 season, the club announced this morning. Sandmeyer was the 18th overall pick in December's draft and previously played at the University of North Carolina.
“Jack has a good understanding of the game to go with good feet and a dominant physical presence,” said Chicago Fire II Head Coach Mike Matkovich. “He has a very mature mindset that has helped him quickly integrate himself into the team and gives him high potential to reach the next level.”
Sandmeyer, 23, stands at 6'6" tall and will be a second team player for this season. He originally trained with the first team at the beginning of preseason, but was always viewed as a Fire II player. The contract runs until the end of the 2026 season with an option for the 2027 half season.
Though he played solely as a midfielder during college, the Fire could also play him at center back. His height is also a major asset, and he showcased that when he scored in a preseason friendly against Forward Madison.
2026 marks the second successive season in which the Fire have signed a player from the University of North Carolina, Head Coach Gregg Berhalter's alma mater, after Sam Williams was signed last season. Interestingly, it is the first season since 2020 in which the Fire opted not to sign first round SuperDraft picks to an MLS deal. It is worth mentioning that they did not have any picks in 2021 or 2023.
Fire II are entering their second season under Matkovich, who took over the team ahead of last season. They are looking to return to the playoffs for the fourth successive year after a crazy, up-and-down 2025 season they ended in the conference semifinals. The second team kick off their MLS Next Pro campaign on Friday against Inter Miami II.
