Chicago Fire FC bets on young local talent to reignite hope after years of struggles | OneFootball

Chicago Fire FC has announced the signing of Dylan Borso, a local midfielder, through 2027, with options extending to 2028 and 2029. Born in Chicago, Borso is a product of the club’s academy, where he climbed the ranks from the U-13 to U-19 teams before gaining experience with Chicago Fire II in MLS NEXT Pro. Now 19, he was promoted to the first team with the task of standing out and helping the club overcome its run of mediocre seasons.

A talent hone in the home

Borso had an excellent freshman year in 2024 at Wake Forest University, playing in all 24 games and starting 11 while leading his team in offensive contributions with four goals and four assists. The Fire felt this was just the type of talent needed to bolster their squad.

For the Fire's head coach Gregg Berhalter, this signing is very important: "Dylan's signing is a great example of the development pathway we have for young players at the club. He's shown determination and impressive growth. We're excited to help him continue his development and achieve his goals."

Opportunity to shine

The arrival of Borso comes at a critical time for Chicago Fire. In 2024, the team finished dead last in the Eastern Conference with just 30 points and missed the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the seventh straight year. This underachievement led to the hiring of Berhalter, the former U.S. Men's National Team coach, who now takes on the challenge of turning the Fire into a competitive side.

For Borso, this is a golden opportunity. First of all, he is going to work with a coach who has experience with young talents and knows exactly how to develop them; secondly, his familiarization with the club and the city will ease his transition to the first team.

These were the first comments from Borso as a Fire player: "It's a dream come true to sign with Chicago Fire. I want to thank Coach Berhalter and the staff for believing in me, and my dad for all his support along the way. I'm also grateful to all the coaches and staff who have helped me grow on and off the field over the past eight years."

The Chicago Fire need a spark, and that spark needs to come from young guys like Borso. The energy, versatility, and deep understanding of the style of play are just a few things he brings to this team that could prove vital in implementing Berhalter's vision.

The story of Borso in the club is also a strong motivator for other academy players. To see that someone has gone through the same path and reached the first team may serve as a major inspiration for the next generation of talent.

While Dylan Borso's signing might be a reason for optimism, he is not solely the solution to all Fire's problems. The transition from college soccer to the MLS is an enormous jump, but it seems he has the right tools needed to adapt pretty quickly and prove that he can be a difference maker at this higher level of play.