Mexico national team coach Miguel Herrera on Wednesday opened the door for a U.S. call-up of Leon goalkeeper William Yarbrough, saying that El Tri has opted to add Pumas forward Eduardo Herrera to its roster for friendlies on March 28 and 31 against Ecuador and Paraguay, respectively.
"I am not going to rush into a recall of any player if another national team wants him," Herrera told ESPN.mx in reference to Yarbrough, who was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, but whose parents are from Texas. "If they want to call him up at this time and right now he is not on my mind I have no problem with it. I'll repeat it: Right now in Mexico there are 10 quality goalkeepers and the ones I have already chosen will be very good.
#INSERT type:image caption:Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said he won't rule out a call-up in the future for Leon goalkeeper William Yarbrough. END#
"There will always be someone but I have no doubts about the six goalkeepers I have in mind for my two lists [Copa America and Gold Cup]. I will have three great goalkeepers and one will still be left off the team."
Herrera, however, said that Yarbrough, who turns 26 on Friday, should not lose hope about a Mexico call-up.
"Of course [he will be considered for El Tri], the coach said. "At no time have I said he is a bad player. There is a reason the United States has its sights set on him. He is a good goalkeeper but I feel like I need to look at other players who I will likely be using and who are having a better moment right now in their careers."
Leon midfielder Jose Juan Vazquez said on Wednesday that Yarbrough told him of his decision to accept an invitation from U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
"He told me earlier," said Vazquez. "It will be kind of weird [to see him with the United States]. But it is great that they called him. He seems really happy and his play has been perfect."
Leon coach Juan Antonio Pizzi confirmed the news of the U.S. call-up during a press conference on Wednesday. U.S. Soccer has not confirmed Yarbrough's presence for upcoming friendlies vs. Denmark and Switzerland, confirming only that the rosters will be announced on Sunday.
Last week, however, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann told ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre that he's in contact with the 25-year-old Mexican-born backstop last week.
"We like him," the coach said.
Pizzi said Leon has not received any formal notice from either national team asking to clear Yarbrough for any international friendlies.
"I asked him if he had any news to share, logically he is being considered for the U.S. team and I think there is a good chance he will go," Pizzi said.
Yarbrough has won two Mexican League titles with Leon. Pizzi said Yarbrough's decision will be personal and recalled his own choice of Spain over Argentina.
Klinsmann was on hand to watch Leon's match vs. Pachuca at Estadio Hidalgo. Goalkeepers Sean Johnson, of the Chicago Fire, Jon Kempin, of Sporting KC and Nick Rimando, of Real Salt Lake, figured in the previous U.S. call-up.
Yarbrough has played 68 matches for Leon, all as a starter, including Leon's title wins in 2013 and 2014.
Regarding Eduardo Herrera, the coach pointed to the 26-year-old's improvement on the pitch.
"Since the previous season he has been scoring goals," said the former Club America coach. "He has been very consistent and has made himself a guaranteed starter at a club as important as Pumas. He is a key player for their attack. For Mexico he is trying to show he is on the level of Oribe Peralta."