Marcello Borges in training with New York Red Bulls

Injury kept Marcello Borges from being part of the USA U-20s' CONCACAF Championship squad, which was unfortunate because the player had taken time off from the University of Michigan on the assumption he'd be involved in the tournament. Borges is also a New York Red Bulls Academy product, and rumored to be targeted by RBNY for a Homegrown player contract.

Several RBNY fans have reported glimpses of the player in recent images from the Red Bulls Training Facility, and the clearest one yet was also the most convincing. (That's him behind fellow Academy product and USA U-20s teammate, Tyler Adams.)

Is Marcello Borges running with the Red Bulls?

Word out of RBNY's March 8 training session is that he is most definitely present, but for "nothing more than training". Once A Metro is told Borges has some time on his hands since his USA U-20 plans didn't quite work out, and he is keeping himself busy and fit by training with the team he knows best.

Borges will hope to be considered for the USA Men's U-20 National Team squad selected for the 2017 U-20 World Cup in May. The team that went to Costa Rica in February returned as CONCACAF Champion, which should make competition for places at the World Cup a little more challenging. Borges is getting ready to make his bid to be included on the roster for the most important games the USA U-20s will play this year - and RBNY is clearly happy to help.