He describes himself as a "Mexican trapped in the body of a gringo". It's interesting to hear that he has no family in Mexico but his parents and his younger brother (his two older brothers are living in the US) yet he doesn't seem that identified with the US.
Well he spent his whole life in Mexico and I highly doubt he grew up around thousands of American immigrant families to influence him so I would expect him to identify more as a Mexican.
Yarbrough was in goal for Club León which opened the 2013 Apertura with a 1-0 home win against Atlante last night. During the 2013 Clausura, he made 9 starts in Liga MX and 2 for the Club León U-20s.
http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/club-leon-fc-cf-atlante/index/spielbericht_2348076.html 5 shutouts in those 9 Liga MX starts last season: http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/william-yarbrough/leistungsdaten/spieler_215473_2012.html This kid is getting significant fast.
He certainly sticks out like a sore thumb on the pitch, that's for sure! You can't miss that natural blonde hair in a sea of brown hair. In the 2 times I've seen him play, Yarbrough definitely has that "American" goalkeeper look ----- big, strong, and super athletic. But he's also nimble, almost cat-like, and very comfortable with the ball at his feet. That's very reminiscent of Central American Gk's. Due to his background, his style is definitely unique but it's very effective. I like what little I've seen.
To go by these highlights, all he had to do was applaud at the end: 60% of his Liga MX starts have ended in shutouts so far, not too shabby! And he's only 24.
Starting in goal tonight for León in the Liguilla semifinal and from what I gather he's having a pretty good season so far. I guess the thread title needs changing as well seeing as is with León permanently.
Leon ended going through on aggregate 5-3. First leg highlights (3-1 to Club Leon at home). Yarbrough misplays the cross on the Santos Laguna goal. Second leg highlights (2-2). Yarbrough with a a really nice save at 1:05. As mentioned by Regi0, Club Leon will face Club America in the finals. Club Leon's home leg Thursday 12/12 at 9 eastern. The second leg is Sunday 12/15 on Univision at 7 eastern.
Bad link for the 1st set of highlights FYI. Home many US-eligible keepers can you name starting regularly & successfully for clubs in leagues of this caliber or better? You can count them on your hands, maybe just one.
You gotta figure helping Leon to the final (and potentially a win from the final) would earn him a shot with El Tri, no? The question for the USMNT is whether he would be ahead of Nick Rimando for the third spot on the WC team. Because really that's all the US could offer him right now till after next summer when (presumably) Tim Howard retired from international duty. Would he be willing to wait till after the WC to see which national team gives him the best shot at regular playing time?
From what I've seen, Rimando is better than him. I'd probably take Sean Johnson over him as well. Darren Randolph (Ireland and Birmingham City) is still eligible right?
He had a really good performance today, made alot of impressive saves. His team Leon went on to beat America 5-1 on aggregate. The final was played at a packed Azteca stadium with pro America crowd. It would be interesting to see if he gets a call up for the January friendly.
Who are Mexico's top keepers? 1. Corona 2. Ochoa 3. Munoz Maybe he sneaks on as Mexico's 3rd. Not sure how he compares to Rimando but it is clear Mexico will be his first choice. USA he would be 3rd at best this cycle.
The first two Mexican keepers are a given because they are much better than everyone else, similar to what we have at GK with the USA. The third keeper is a given because Herrera is the coach. No way he goes away from Munoz who was in goal against New Zealand and is GK of the club that Herrera coached. I am sure Mexico will call him up, but I don't know what kind of shot he actually has to make their 2014 World Cup Roster. I don't think Mexico has a GK roster spot up for grabs. We have one. Right now I think its a battle between Rimando and Sean Johnson. Yarbrough could make it a three man battle if he was to accept a call up from the USA.
Take it from this Mick, Randolph really is signed up to Ireland at this stage. From what I hear (which could be very wrong), he has very little contact/connection to the USA: Ireland is where he's from; America is where his father's from.