Red Bulls Gameday Feature

Borman's Long Journey Brings Him To New York

As Major League Soccer has become more and more international, the players in the league have arrived in the United States from all over the world. Some have arrived from leagues in other nations; some have come from the college ranks, while others have come from the US national development system. Many of the players hail from the United States, though an increasing number have come from South America, Europe, and beyond.

The Red Bull players have all taken different roads to arrive in New York. The roster has players from 10 States, five countries, and four continents. But no player has taken a longer road (literally) to get to the Red Bulls than rookie Danleigh Borman. The South African native is living his boyhood dream nearly 8,000 miles from his home town, with a stop in Kingston, Rhode Island along the way.

Soccer is in Danleigh Borman's blood. "I was born into soccer," the midfielder stated. Both his father and cousin played in the top South African league, now known as the Premier Soccer League, and his father was a highly decorated goal scorer, known for his flamboyant post-goal celebrations. According to Borman, his father was known to do a couple of back flips, or as Borman described it, "flick-flack" after he scored.

"Basically, my whole family's life revolves around soccer," commented Borman. "My father was one of the really big players in Cape Town during his time. He was a tricky, skillful player who was able to represent the national team. My cousin played for Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the bigger clubs in South Africa. He also played for the South African U23 team."

Coming from those strong and successful soccer roots, it was a challenge for Borman to live up to the expectations. "Everybody knows who Dot Borman (Danleigh's father) is. They always compare me to him. Sometimes I have a hard time with that, but I have always looked up to him as far as soccer is concerned. My father has been my role model, but I have always watched my cousin since he is a bit younger, and followed his career. They both have had a huge impact on my soccer career."

Borman's soccer career began with the PSL's Santos academy team, and it was during his time there that he caught the attention of the University of Rhode Island, but almost by accident. As Borman describes it, "Rhode Island was looking for a South African player, because they liked the South African style of play, which is very skillful and technical. The Rhode Island coach was looking at another academy player, but there was an issue with his grades." At that point, a South African soccer legend, Dr. Steve Makone, suggested the Rhode Island coach turn his attention to Borman.

Dr. Steve "Kalamazoo" Makone is considered the greatest soccer player the country has produced and was the first black player from South Africa to play professionally in Europe, attaining astounding success as a goal scorer playing in while England, Holland (where he achieved superstar status and had a street named after him), France, and Italy in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1996, Makone founded the Kalamazoo South Africa Foundation, which helps young South African's study abroad.

Dr. Makone's suggestion and Foundation led to a scholarship for Borman at Rhode Island, and led Borman nearly 8,000 miles from home. "Everything happened really fast, like two months before I had to leave," explained Borman. "It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone, but once I got over and settled in, I got used to it."

Going from Cape Town, South Africa (population 3.5 million) to the Rams' Kingston, Rhode Island campus (enrollment 15,000), Borman needed to make many adjustments. "I had to get used to the food," explained Borman. "My mom makes really good food. Also, life is a bit slower in Kingston than Cape Town. People are laid back in Cape Town, but not as much as in Rhode Island. But my teammates made me comfortable, so wasn't really all that hard to adjust.

Borman had to adjust on the soccer side of things as well. "I had to get much bigger and put on some muscle. I was quick, but I wasn't strong on the ball. Americans are athletic and strong and fast, so URI put me on a weight program."

The speedy wing player adjusted well, and his hard work and dedication was rewarded at the conclusion of his collegiate career, as he was selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Red Bulls.

The phone call on the day of the Supplemental draft was a pleasant surprise for Borman, who states, "I went to the combine and was hoping to get an A-League deal. I was shocked when I was drafted. I had always wanted to play in the MLS, the highest level here."

However, the Red Bulls were not the only club that was interested in Borman's services. "The club that I played for (Santos) wanted me to come back home. The owner of the club called my father, but I think my best option is to play over here. It's opened the eyes to get me noticed me back home for the national team, which is obviously one of my goals."

Borman distinguished himself in the preseason, and was signed to a developmental contract on March 20. The midfielder's abilities impressed Red Bull head coach Juan Carlos Osorio enough to bring Borman on as a second half substitute in the club's season opening win over Columbus. When asked about how he felt when he got the word to warm up, Borman explained, "When coach told me, 'Warm up, you are going to go in at the beginning of the second half', I was really nervous. I was just thinking about getting a good first touch and to make sure to get it to one of my own players."

Just one week later, Borman took his progress a step further as he was featured in the match at FC Dallas. He was humbled by the experience, noting "I really appreciated that coach had the confidence in me to start me. It was a good feeling getting my first start in a professional game."

Despite being six time zones and 8,000 miles away, Borman's family and friends are able to follow his progress. "My parents bought the MLS package to watch the games," explained Borman. "They were happy for me that I got some time and started the second game. Everyone is behind me back home. My parents are my biggest critics, telling me I should have done this or I should have done that. It was good that they could watch it since they can't be here."

In fact, Borman has not seen his family very much since arriving in America. "My mother came my junior year in college to watch for two weeks. My sister worked in Miami, and she came to visit me for two weeks. But they are all back home now. I haven't been home in a year and four months, but home is always just a phone call away, which helps a lot. I am trying to go home at the end of the season."

The experience and exposure that Borman gains playing in the MLS for the Red Bulls is something that he hopes can lead to more opportunities for him, especially since his native South Africa will host the World Cup in 2010.

When asked about his thoughts on the event, Borman states, "It's unbelievable. It's the first world cup in Africa. The motherland, you know? I am excited for the country. It is going to be good for the economy and will open a lot of jobs. I have faith in my country and I am sure its going to be a great event."

Borman then turns into a tour guide, stating, "In South Africa, the people are so friendly. They love foreigners. They will take you in and show you a good time. The place is beautiful. There are a lot of tourist sites, especially in Cape Town. The coast and the beaches are unbelievable."

"Hopefully I will be there as a player," Borman confides. "I feel that playing abroad will improve my national team hopes."

Borman is no stranger to his national team colors, as he has represented South Africa at the U19 level, noting that "It's always an honor to play for your country. We played in a tournament in Mozambique. It's always great to wear your national colors."

Despite the distance between Borman and his home country, no distance can come between father and son. When asked about the best advice he has received from his father, Borman recalls, "He always tells me to just be myself. He knows what my capabilities are and he believes in. He tells me, 'Be yourself. Don't try to change who you are. Abide by the coach's system, but have confidence in yourself to make certain decisions that you feel are right.'"

In a recent article in a South African newspaper, Borman's father's pride in his son's accomplishments is evident. "He worked hard to get where he is today and I am pleased that he did it all on his own," Dot Borman was quoted. "I was not around to push him or open doors. I believe he took up the challenge admirably."

Danleigh Borman's professional career is just beginning, and he is making a name for himself far from home, but he is carrying on a family tradition, as well as keeping up the legacy of not only his father, but of the man who helped bring him to America as well, Dr. Steve Makone. Whether or not he represents his country at the 2010 World Cup is still to be determined, but there is no doubt that he is already representing his country and family extremely well in the United States while playing for the Red Bulls.