|
Club Leon goalkeeper William Yarbrough has been called up to the United States national team for upcoming friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland in Europe, the player confirmed in a press conference on Thursday. The Mexico-born Yarbrough said he will accept the call to his parents' homeland, despite El Tri coach Miguel Herrera having previously indicated he was keeping an eye on the player's progress. "It's been confirmed, the call-up from the United States has arrived at the club for the games on the 25th and 31st of March," said Yarbrough. "I'm happy, very thankful to [U.S. coach Jurgen] Klinsmann for tracking me." U.S. Soccer didn't deny or confirm the call-up in an email to ESPN FC on Wednesday, writing: "We are announcing Sunday the final roster for the Denmark and Switzerland friendlies." Yarbrough, born in Aguascalientes to Texan immigrants, was thrust into the limelight when he was handed his Liga MX debut for Leon in March 2013. Five clean sheets in his first nine games consolidated Yarbrough's starting spot and he went on to win historic consecutive titles with Leon in the Apertura 2013 and Clausura 2014. "I want to take full advantage of this opportunity," said Yarbrough. "The tour in Europe is important." Yarbrough, fluent in both Spanish and English, said during the news conference that he knows the U.S. national anthem and that the call-up is the best birthday present he could have had. He turns 26 on Friday. "Independent of how many goalkeepers there may be [in front of me], I'm not scared of competing," stated Yarbrough, who added Klinsmann first contacted him a few weeks ago. Yarbrough has played 68 matches for Leon, all as a starter, after beginning his professional youth career at Pachuca. El Tri coach Herrera mentioned Yarbrough in a news conference in Mexico City on Thursday, indicating that the keeper isn't of immediate interest to him and he wasn't going to be drawn into a battle with the United States. "There are eight goalkeepers the same level as Yarbrough in Mexico," said Herrera at the announcement of a new national team sponsor. "I'm not calling him up just to take him away from the United States." Mexico is set to require six goalkeepers this summer as it confronts the Copa America and Gold Cup double-header with two different squads.
|
