The countdown to Goalie Wars 2025 is on, and one of this year’s contestants is noticeably not like the others.
In a league purpose-built as the proving ground for the next generation, enter scene: 40-year-old Chattanooga FC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović. A worldly vet with nothing to prove.
With a playing career that began long before many of his teammates and competitors were born, the veteran goalkeeper's resume spans two decades, boasting FA Cup and Russian Cup wins along with several UEFA Champions League appearances along the way.
So, uh, how exactly did he end up in this year’s Goalie Wars field?
There was some hesitation when the idea was initially floated his way.
“I told them I’m 40...I’m old!” Jakupović said to MLSNEXTPro.com in a wide-ranging interview. “It should be a young goalkeeper.”
As the discussions went further, Jakupović eventually came around to the idea.
“‘But Eldin, you deserve it, you have the most saves,’” he recalled. “Blah, blah, blah, stats and everything."
Topping the charts in the clean sheet category, Jakupović is more than holding his own in MLS NEXT Pro as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in 2025. The newcomer, of sorts, has helped Chattanooga FC look like an Eastern Conference playoff lock through the second half of the season.
“If you asked if it’s for me, I would say no. But, for the club, I’m going to do it. I want to try to help the club grow. Even if it grows a little bit, I got to do my part.”
Representing MLS NEXT Pro’s independent scene matters at a marquee event like MLS All-Star, and he’s a fitting ambassador. If Jakupović’s humble demeanor doesn't allow him to admit the competitive merits of his appearance, the impact he makes from the locker room to the streets of the Scenic City speaks for itself.
“The positive thing is, I’m seeing more and more kids getting into goalkeeping. More and more, seeing my name on the jerseys of small kids, young kids,” he explained.
Adding to a legacy
It’s not every day a player decorated as Jakupović becomes a full-time starter in MLS NEXT Pro. He’s a one-of-one in that category.
After one last ride in England with Everton, Jakupović wanted to experience MLS for a year and signed with Los Angeles FC in 2023. The venture only netted him two starts, and he quietly retired after.
In the years prior, his family put down roots in southern Tennessee, and it was only a matter of time before he found his way to the halls of the Chattanooga FC HQ.
“The conversation came if I wanted to join the club, be a kind of system goalkeeper coach, and take over the goalkeepers in the Academy,” Jakupović shared.
After helping CFC close out their maiden voyage in MLS NEXT Pro as a coach, more direct ideas of helping the team came into the picture.
"When the season finished, the gaffer Chris (Nugent) called me in for a meeting and asked me if I wanted to come out of retirement, and for me it was a clear yes.”
Veteran voice
Age vs. savvy (AKA: The elephant in the room) is one of the things we’ll see play out for the first time in this year’s showcase.
He’s under no illusions about it being a factor. One he sprinkles with a healthy pinch of reality.
“Age is just a number. Do I agree with that? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I mean, my body (now) and my 25-year-old body, they’re different. Especially in the mornings,” he said with an aware chuckle.
That hasn't stopped him from staying in the game, though. The asset of Jakupović goes well beyond his contributions between the sticks. The wealth of knowledge between his ears is something invaluable for the CFC locker room. Something he is happy to share.
"Football life...it’s a nice life," he said. "You have everything, but you have to be prepared. You have to sacrifice. You have to be mentally ready."
"That’s where I try to help the team. We’ve got good coaches here. The club is in a good position. I don’t need to jump in and say, 'Do it like this.' I focus on mentality and willingness to grind."
Leading by example is a big part of that. What’s clear about Jakupović is that his competitive juices, colloquially known as xDAWG, remain sky-high. Not many veterans are willing to test themselves in an uber-athletic competition rife with teenagers equipped with seemingly endless batteries.
“I love to see the second-team MLS clubs,” he said. “How they play, how they step up slowly, step-by-step. I love it. I’m excited every week because if I could play every day, I would.”
All in at Austin
Goalie Wars offers a rare opportunity to go one-on-one with your opposite number.
“Of course, every ‘keeper is going to say he wants to win, and it should be like this,” he explained. “It should be respectful. We respect each other, but I’m going for it.”
Add in the fact that there’s a championship belt on the line, something even a veteran with worldly experience can’t deny, adds some extra motivation.
“The competition is good, and that’s the main thing. But yeah, a nice belt? I’ve never seen it. It would look nice in my room at home.”
“I’m looking forward to it, and the pressure is there. I have pressure from my kids because I showed it to them from last year.”
As for any type of routine or practice, the savvy veteran keeps the cards close to the vest when asked what fans should expect to see, but his priorities are clear.
“The main thing is to have fun, that’s number one. Enjoy the atmosphere, be respectful to the people working for it, the opponent... But I know myself - until my legs are done, I’m all in."
