CHICAGO FIRE MEDIA CONFERENCE

March 7, 2026

Dylan Borso

Press Conference

Columbus 0, Chicago Fire FC 0

Q. What was that moment like entering the game, and how do you think you performed in this debut?

DYLAN BORSO: It was just a surreal experience. I mean, if you told me 24 hours ago I was going to be playing in an MLS game, I'd tell you you were full of crap. I couldn't be more blessed.

Just hearing the fans, crazy atmosphere, just the experience as a whole was something I'll never forget and cherish for sure.

Q. Your first couple touches were not up to your standard, MLS All-Star Game. To grow off of those, to get that goal line clearance, to get that opportunity where you nearly scored the game-winning goal what did it say for you to get those improvements throughout the game?

DYLAN BORSO: Yeah, probably a little jittery to start, but no, I think I just grew into it. You know, I saw Brady make a great first safe and I knew I had to at least put my body on the line for the rebound.

Got lucky I was in a good spot. You know, the right back is still a new position, so I'm still learning some tricks but I'm glad I got my hands behind my back and got big. So that was a good one.

And then as far as growing into the game, I was maybe a little nervous to start, and then got a few touches and then kind of you know, just been playing the game for ten years, and which a kind of just, you know, just went on and, you know, played.

Q. How important was it to get such a successful performance from yourself last week where you got the assist and the open play goal, and just getting those moments of success at right back?

DYLAN BORSO: Definitely. I think just to keep growing in the new position and keep learning from guys like Leo and Johnny, I'm super grateful to have good players in front of me watching day-in and day-out in training.

As far as the next pro game goes, every time I go into one of those games, it's the same mindset. You know, just get better and keep growing.

Q. I think you're selling yourself a little bit short. You said you would grow into the game. Not long after coming in, you had probably the Fire's best chance of the night with that header. If it wasn't for some really strong goaltending, you would have had your first goal in your MLS debut.

DYLAN BORSO: That one, I was shocked there. I couldn't believe he got a hand on that. But, you know, that's football and a hell of a safe. Saw Robin get the ball on the left side. Knew I had to get up there into the box. Big skip. Just put a head on it and hell of a safe.

Q. Is it starting to feel real knowing that you finally made it to the top flight and finally had a debut, 21,000 people in attendance; do you feel proud?

DYLAN BORSO: I'm telling you, it's a moment I'll never forget. I honestly felt like I was in a video for the first few minutes out there. I was like a little just goosebumps and shock. But like I said, I've been playing the game for ten years, and kind of -- once those first five minutes, I kind of relaxed and just do what I've done for the last ten years.

Q. Playing the game for ten years but you're 19 years old.

DYLAN BORSO: Yeah.

Q. That is starting from a very young age.

DYLAN BORSO: No, I'm talking like, AYSO soccer in Chicago, where, you know, you're picking a dress a foot long, that's what I'm talking.

Q. Have you had a chance to look at your phone since this ended?

DYLAN BORSO: You know, I checked it. I had like 86 notifications, so I've definitely got to get on that pretty soon.

Once again, I'm just so blessed that the staff gave me the opportunity, and I just want to keep growing and for me, it's just the start.

Q. You haven't always been training with the first team but you have been around the first team off and on. What does it say about the squad that they were able to go away in a building that's tough to play in against a team that normally wins their home opener, and play a little bit of a spoiler by staying as good as you were defensively and keep the clean sheet?

DYLAN BORSO: Yeah, honestly, I think we should win that game with our chances. I think we probably had, you know, three clear chances. They had, you know, the one chance where me and Brady blocked it.

But no, I think it's a tough place to play for sure. I mean, you know, the fan base is into it. But, you know, these guys in training are just -- I just started training with them then about a week ago, and like it's just top level. They come with the right mindset every day. It's a tight group. They welcomed me, and I think, you know, sky is the limit for this group.