Marcelo Morales Nearing Return to Universidad de Chile on Loan

On Saturday Jan. 24, sources out of Chile revealed that Red Bull New York left back Marcelo Morales is in fact likely to head back to Universidad de Chile on a year-long loan.

Morales, 22, 5 matches across all competitions for RBNY's first team last season and an additional eight for RBNY II in MLS Next Pro. After an underwhelming first season in New York marred by fitness issues and injuries, the 2024 Copa Chile winner appears to be on his way back to his former club.

Despite only playing in a handful of games, Morales impressed in his few opportunities. Joining New York at the beginning of 2025 with high expectations, fans were eager to see the Chilean international break into the squad more regularly in 2026. 

Currently, there are conflicting reports on whether the prospective loan deal for Morales includes a purchase, with Felipe Cartagena of TNT Sports Chile indicating that there is not a purchase option while journalist Cesar Luis Merlo suggests there will be. Both reporters cite TNT Sports and TVN journalist Gonzalo Fouillioux as their source.

One of five players not to feature in RBNY's first two preseason matches, Morales has been linked to a move back to U de Chile for most of the winter.

However, it seemed as though those rumors had lost traction as reports suggested that manager Francisco Meneghini was not interested in bringing the player back.

Cartagena confirms that the initial concerns Meneghini held were due to "certain physical parameters that were requested of him," but the defender has since met those requirements and became the club's preferred candidate.

Looks like New York will lose their most talented left back ahead of 2026. The move will leave Omar Valencia and Raheem Edwards as the only left backs on the roster, who both contributed a great deal in 2025.

If anything, the move could help RBNY inch closer to roster compliance as they will get another international player off the books for at least the year.