The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced its 2018 award winners on Friday, naming Bastian Schweinsteiger Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and forward Nemanja Nikolić as Golden Boot winner.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER/ DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Bastian Schweinsteiger was named the Chicago Fire Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year after a standout campaign at both ends of the field. In his second season in Chicago, Schweinsteiger led the Fire with six assists and was the team’s leading chance creator (43) in the attacking end, while also boasting team-highs in touches (2,494), duels won (195), and tackles won (47). Schweinsteiger started 30 of 31 appearances in 2018, and was second on the team in minutes played with 2,726. Schweinsteiger additionally contributed four goals, including a strike from distance against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 4 that was voted Chicago Fire Goal of the Year.
GOLDEN BOOT: Forward Nemanja Nikolić has claimed the Chicago Fire Golden Boot award for the second consecutive season. One of four players in Club history to notch multiple double-digit scoring seasons, Nikolić finished his 2018 regular season campaign with 15 goals and two assists. The 30-year-old remains the Club’s all-time leader in goals scored per 90 minutes (0.65). Nikolić also led the team in scoring during the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament with four goals, giving the Hungarian a total of 19 across all competitions.
