Marcello Borges Elite Cup Q&A
10/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 12, 2015
Marcello Borges, a freshman from Kearny, New Jersey, was recently selected to take part in the Mercedes Benz Elite Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, representing the United States U20 National Team. Borges has appeared in eight matches for U-M in a winger role. The tournament runs from Oct. 2-12.
Q. On enjoying his attacking role on the team...
A. As a defender, you're obviously more worried about defending from the back, but as a forward you learn how to defend from the front, and then you're attacking abilities going forward also improve. So overall as a player transitioning from left back to left wing has improved my attacking ability as well as my defending ability just in a different area of the field. At this tournament, I would probably play outside back either left or right.
Q. On his versatility, competing against quality opposition at U-M and U18 experience playing into his selection...
A. The fact that national team staff knew me from the U18 fall season; they've seen that I've improved, and I can play with older players. The college aspect of it also helps, training with great players here at Michigan on a daily basis, and it shows players that you can still come to college and be selected for a tournament like this.
Q. On his fitness levels...
A. In this tournament, you have to be fit to play because you play back to back in a short series of time. I think overall fitness, thanks to our top-notch staff, in the college level was higher than the academy level, so I think in terms of playing and then recovering for when I come back, I think that my fitness is good. It would equate to playing Friday-Sunday matches in college.
Q. On being given the opportunity to represent the United States and the full support of coaches and teammates...
A. I took into account my teammates and the coaches opinions as well and all my teammates support the decision. Consensus was that if my teammates had a chance that was equal to mine, they would also choose to go. Hopefully, I can bring something from out there and bring it back to the team. The coaches always said that it was ultimately up to me to go, and if I wanted to go, I could.
Q. On keeping up with the team, one of the top sides in the Big Ten, while overseas...
A. I'm hopeful that I can get live video to the games, and I can keep up and see how our team is doing and what we need to improve on. Since I have been playing the game, I can see how our team is doing as an outsider. I am hopeful that can take something I've learned from out there and bring it back over here.
Q. On the team chemistry helping the freshman class as a whole...
A. Coming in, I think the freshman class didn't feel like the freshman class. We came in, and we all fit in. The older guys don't look at us and say he's a freshman, they just look at us and say we're all part of the team. I think overall, team chemistry allowed us to shine and to be bright on the field. I attribute it to overall acceptance within the team.
Borges will return to the U-M side for a matchup against the Duquesne Dukes Tuesday (Oct. 13).
