Veteran goalie William Yarbrough signs with Rapids
COMMERCE CITY — When the Colorado Rapids came calling William Yarbrough didn’t hesitate. The 10-year LIGA MX veteran, who had led top-flight León to two titles, was ready for something new.
“I spoke to my agent and the club and said ‘we need to make this happen,’” Yarbrough recalled when he found out the Rapids had interest. “The staff in Colorado was in touch with me personally for the last few weeks and the conversations we had is what made it a pretty easy decision.”
Yarbrough signed a one-year loan Friday, with the Rapids owning his rights. It falls beneath the parameters of a TAM or DP deal and it gives the Rapids an experienced goalie to pair with MLS veteran Clint Irwin. The Rapids will have an open competition between the two.
“The more competition there is on a team the better it is,” Yarbrough said. “There’s only one spot for a keeper and I’m looking forward to making the most of it.”
Yarbrough hasn’t had many opportunities to play recently, getting the nod just 11 times since the start of the 2018-19 Liga MX Apertura season.
“I’m more than excited,” Yarbrough said. “It almost feels like a family here, the atmosphere is incredible. There’s great energy in the locker room and the staff is amazing. I have felt very welcome from the moment I walked in.”
Yarbrough finished his LIGA MX career with 193 appearances and 48 shutouts with León. Born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, Yarbrough is a dual citizen who has made three appearances for the United States Men’s National Team, including a 2-0 win in an exhibition against Mexico in 2015.
Irwin made his season debut in a 2-1 road win last Saturday and is in his eighth MLS season, fifth with Colorado over two stints. His pro career featured 34 shutouts over 133 appearances.
“One of our objectives over the off-season was to build a roster deep with talent and to foster competition all over the field and this signing further helps us achieve that,” Rapids General Manager Pádraig Smith said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring in a player of Will’s quality doesn’t come around every day, so we’re excited to have him join our already strong goalkeeping group.”
Irwin will start Colorado’s home opener on Saturday against Orlando. The Rapids have two weeks of play following that match and then there’s an international break at the end of the month. Yarbrough should have plenty of time to get fit with the season just having started.
