North Texas SC forward and captain Sam Sarver was voted into the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI after a historic goal-scoring season. Sarver became the fourth player in club history to earn MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. All awards were voted on by MLS NEXT Pro Head Coaches and Chief Soccer Officers at MLS NEXT Pro Clubs, as well as League broadcasters and content team.
The Chesterland, Ohio, native finished second in the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race with 19 goals, one behind Chicago's Jason Shokalook. Sarver scored the club’s first hat trick in MLS NEXT Pro, the first four-goal game in club history, and recorded five multi-goal matches this season, setting a new club record. He also broke the single-season scoring record with 19 goals, surpassing the previous mark of 16. The forward was named Player of the Matchweek for weeks 19 and 30, and Player of the Month in August.
“It’s a great honor to be voted into the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. It was one of the goals that I have set out before the start of the season,” Sam Sarver said. “It takes a village. It’s not just me, but it’s a reflection of my teammates. I did well to find the back of the net, but credit to my teammates who put me in good spots with their great passing. It’s a great honor, but at the end of the day, I want to win more trophies.”
Sarver joins Bernard Kamungo, Nico Gordon, and Michael Collodi as North Texas SC players who have been voted into the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. Sarver, Kamungo and Collodi are currently signed to FC Dallas after excelling with North Texas SC.
Goalkeeper (1):
Eldin Jakupović – Chattanooga FC
Honorable Mention: Pedro Cruz – Houston Dynamo 2
Defenders (3):
Gabriel Mikina – St Louis CITY2
Neil Pierre – Philadelphia Union II
Tate Robertson – Chattanooga FC
Honorable Mention: Jordan Knight – Huntsville City FC and Harbor Miller – Ventura County FC
Midfielders (4):
Nehuén Benedetti – New York Red Bulls II
Alan Carleton – Huntsville City FC
Marcos Dias – New England Revolution II
Cruz Medina – The Town FC
Honorable Mention: Miguel Perez – St Louis CITY2
Forwards (3):
Mykhi Joyner – St Louis CITY2
Sam Sarver – North Texas SC
Jason Shokalook – Chicago Fire FC II
Honorable Mention: Yu Tsukanome – Tacoma Defiance
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