Dylan Borso, a 20-year-old loanee from Chicago Fire, made SPFL history by becoming the youngest player to net four goals in a single match, leading Greenock Morton to a 4-3 victory over Stenhousemuir.
From Chicago to Greenock
Borso, a product of Chicago Fire's academy for nearly a decade, was preparing to move to Los Angeles for a loan with Orange County when he received an unexpected opportunity. Fire teammate Christopher Cupps, already at Cappielow and sharing an agent with former Morton keeper Brian Schwake, helped facilitate the move.
"I didn't know what Greenock was," Borso said. "I called Cupps, he told me he was enjoying it. I had two hours to make a decision. I packed, threw some raincoats in, some long sleeves in, and got on the flight."
Aside from a four-and-a-half-month stint at Wake Forest University, Borso had never left home. His journey in football began in an "unfinished basement" after his family moved out of the city when he was around 10 years old.
Adjusting to Scottish Football
Borso admitted the physicality of Championship football caught him off guard, particularly during a match against Livingston. "I was getting bitched around and manhandled. That next week or two was tough, I was not in a great spot mentally, I took a hit on confidence," he said. "But that helped because it was eye-opening and it made me push the pedal down."
Under new management of Gary Miller and Michael O'Halloran, Borso has started five consecutive league games, with Morton earning 12 points from 15. He credited a conversation with Miller for his turnaround: "He was straight up and said, 'You have been training well, you've got to just be patient, your opportunity will come.' Then, sure enough, about a week later... he wasn't lying."
Reflecting on his journey, Borso advised academy players: "Go to school... you need to get out of your comfort zone." He is now enjoying life in Greenock, learning everyday skills like shopping and cooking, and embracing the experience of living independently.
