Amid the current MLS season suspension, ColoradoRapids.com caught up with the newest member of the club, goalkeeper William Yarbrough. Yarbrough discussed how he's adjusting to a new city during a unique time and how he's connecting with his new teammates.
ColoradoRapids.com: What has the mindset of the team been like during the quarantine?
Yarbrough: Just by conversations we’ve been having online, we can’t wait until things get up and going again, but then, at the same time, we understand the seriousness of the situation. I think everyone's been doing a pretty good job maintaining that social distance, staying at home, getting in the workouts we’re sent on a daily basis. Like I said, all these Zoom meetings help us to still have our mindset locked and knowing that as soon as this is up and going again, then we might have a few weeks to prepare again before games. Since day one, it's a great group of guys, and you can tell that we are all just anxious to get back again. At the same time, you can still sense it's a strong group of guys. We hop on these Zoom meetings, and there’s still jokes and great conversation. Everyone's doing their part, that’s always good to see and feel that everyone is still doing the best we can with what the situation is now, so that when we get back on the field, we are as fit as possible, which is one of the most important things.
ColoradoRapids.com: You're in a unique position because you only had three training sessions before this happened. What is your relationship like with your teammates so far?
Yarbrough: Most of the conversations I’ve had so far have been with Nico (Mezquida) and Diego (Rubio), right before we were sent home. I've already seen them a couple of times. Now, it's just sending texts here and there, but most of the guys have families and kids, so you know they’re busy enough being home 24/7. Sometimes you just wanna give them their space. Like I said, we have plenty of Zoom meetings throughout the week where we chat. Everyone's super nice, coaching staff is as well, they’ve been checking in since I just got here over a month ago. I've kept myself busy though.
ColoradoRapids.com: Besides workouts, how have you been filling your time?
Yarbrough: Getting the house set up, I've been having to order furniture online. They leave these big boxes outside of my house, so I have to bring them in, put everything together. Most of it is done, but just cleaning around, cooking, getting furniture done. With all the Zoom meetings and chatting with family back home, it keeps me busy.
ColoradoRapids.com: You weren't able to see much of Colorado before the lockdown. What do you want to explore when this is over?
Yarbrough: I don’t know yet. I'm just trying to take things day by day, not look too much down the road. I love baseball. I love basketball. I'm thinking that once we’re back in it, we will be more than busy trying to squeeze in as many games as possible. I like hiking and mountains, so I'll do some research on cool spots for a good hike. I’ll definitely be bugging a bunch of staff for the good spots to hike.
ColoradoRapids.com: How is it going to feel when you can be back with the team again?
Yarbrough: I can’t wait. When I got here, I was ready for a move and a challenge. I was 100% locked in. I got those training sessions in, felt good. Teammates are great, staff is great, so right off the bat it was a great feeling here. Then everything got on lockdown. So, I still have that in my mindset, just wanting to get back out there to feel those initial feelings I felt when I first got here. I can’t wait to get back to work; it's what I love doing. It’s what we all love doing, but now's a time for us to be responsible, to be safe, to do our part, to help. Sooner rather than later we’ll be back out there doing what we love most. Fans will be able to go to the stadium too. It's just a matter of doing what we have to do now and get right back into it when teams are up and going again.
