Dylan Borso has joined Greenock Morton on loan from Chicago Fire, citing the competitive nature of the Scottish Championship as a major draw. The 20-year-old defender's arrival comes as Morton seek to turn around a tough start to the season, currently sitting 10th with just one point from five games.
Why did Dylan Borso choose Morton?
Borso told the Greenock Telegraph that the prospect of playing in a league with promotion and relegation was a compelling reason for his move. He comes from Major League Soccer, which operates as a closed franchise system without those stakes. "I'm a competitive guy," Borso said. "Just being able to be in an environment where there's games that you need to gain points is going to be great for me."
The young American admitted that European football coverage in the States focuses heavily on the English Premier League. He didn't need much convincing to opt for Scotland, however. Borso can play at full-back and offers an attacking threat from the wing, having developed through Chicago Fire's youth ranks.
What was Morton's historic 1936/37 season like?
A separate historical piece from Yahoo News UK looked back at a special Morton campaign from the late 1930s. Under manager Jackie Wright, the club achieved promotion in the 1936/37 season after several years of building. The side's attack was led by striker Jock Calder, who scored five goals in a season-opening 6-1 thrashing of Cowdenbeath.
That historic promotion push came after near misses in previous campaigns. The 1935/36 team scored an incredible 136 goals but finished third. Wright strengthened the defence for the successful season, bringing in goalkeeper William Stewart. The team's current standings show a different challenge, with Morton 12 points behind leaders Stenhousemuir.
How does Borso's Chicago experience help Morton?
Borso believes his time with Chicago Fire provided an excellent platform for his professional development. He trained alongside global stars like Robert Lewandowski, who joined the MLS side this summer. "The day he arrived, seeing Lewandowski's face and dabbing him up, it was a little surreal," Borso recalled to the Tele.
That high-level environment, with a large roster of experienced players, made first-team minutes hard to come by. It made the opportunity for regular football at Cappielow even more attractive. Morton will hope his versatility can help shore up a defence that has conceded eight goals in five league matches this term.
What is the current situation at Morton?
The club's immediate focus is on improving results after a difficult opening to the campaign. With three goals scored and eight conceded, Morton's goal difference stands at minus five. The full squad list shows the options available to the manager as they look to climb the table.
Borso's arrival adds a new option in defence and attack. His enthusiasm for the competitive structure of Scottish football aligns with the club's need to start picking up points. Morton's next fixture is a crucial opportunity to get their season moving in the right direction.
