Q&A With U.S. International And Bayer 04 Leverkusen Goalkeeper David Yelldell

David Yelldell has spent nearly his entire career Germany – aside from a short stint with England’s Blackburn Rovers. The German-born goalkeeper is in his fifth season with Bayer Leverkusen after rising through the ranks in Germany, including stints with MSV Duisburg, TuS Koblenz, and Stuttgarter Kickers.

Yelldell, who has an American father, was been capped by the U.S. men’s national team in 2011. He spoke to Matthew Levine of NASL.com ahead of the Leverkusen’s first Florida Cup match about his time with the U.S. squad as well as the growing German influence on the national team under Jurgen Klinsmann.

Levine: You represented the U.S. national team, what was that experience like for you?

Yelldell: It was very nice for me. It was back in 2011 and I spent 10 days with the national team. We had two games against Argentina and the second game when I played a half was against Paraguay. It was very nice and I’m very happy.

Levine: There is a growing contingent of German players with the U.S. national team, are you surprised by that?

Yelldell: No, since the coach is Jurgen Klinsmann. There are a lot of players like me whose mothers are German and fathers are American. It doesn’t surprise me because they have a lot of quality, and it’s good for U.S. Soccer.

Levine: Do you follow much soccer back in the U.S.?

Yelldell: I watch the national team and any game I can catch.

Levine: You’ve spent the majority of your career in Germany, but have you ever thought of playing in the United States?

Yelldell: It’s always an option. Now I’m 34 and you never know. It would be nice for me to play in the U.S.

Levine: What type of growth have you seen in the U.S. since your time with the national team until now?

Yelldell: I think every year it gets bigger and bigger.

Levine: How great is it for you to come back to the U.S. and play in a tournament like the Florida Cup?

Yelldell: We were here last year and there’s always good training conditions and good weather. We’ve enjoyed our stay here.