Karifa Yao
Canadian soccer player
Karifa Yao (born September 28, 2000) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship .
Early life
Yao began playing youth soccer at age seven with CS Fabrose .[ 1] Afterwards, he joined youth club Étoiles de l’Est.[ 2] He was also part of the National High Performance Centre.[ 3] In 2017, he joined the Montreal Impact Academy , playing a year with the U17s, before playing two years with the U19s.[ 4]
Club career
In June 2019, Yao signed a homegrown contract with Montreal Impact .[ 5] He made his professional debut on September 20, 2020, appearing as a substitute against the Philadelphia Union .[ 6]
In February 2021, Yao went on a season-long loan to Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC .[ 7] [ 8] On November 20, Yao scored his first professional goal against Pacific FC , netting the equalizer in their 2021 CPL season play-off semi-final , which ultimately ended in a 2-1 defeat for Cavalry.[ 9] [ 10] He was selected as Cavalry fans’ Player of the Year in 2021.[ 11] After the 2021 season, Cavalry announced that Yao would leave the club at the end of his loan spell,[ 12] [ 13] and CF Montréal announced that they would exercise the option on Yao's contract for 2022.[ 14] In March 2022, he extended his contract with Montreal adding another option year,[ 15] while also returning to Cavalry on loan for a second season.[ 16] [ 17] He played a pivotal role for Cavalry, leading all outfield players in minutes played for the team.[ 18] [ 19] Over his time with Cavalry, he scored two goals and added two assists in 56 games, across all competitions.[ 20]
After the 2022 season, his option was declined by Montreal and he departed the club.[ 21] However, at the 2022 MLS Re-Entry Draft , Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced they had picked up Yao's contract for the 2023 season.[ 22] [ 23] [ 24] He made his debut for the Whitecaps on March 8, in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Honduran club Real España .[ 25]
In January 2024, he signed a professional contract with USL Championship expansion side Rhode Island FC .[ 26] [ 27]
International career
In March 2015, he was called up to a camp with the Canada U15 team.[ 1] In April 2017, he was called up to a camp with the Canada U17 team.[ 1]
Personal life
Yao was born in to an Ivorian father and a Senegalese mother.[ 28] [ 29]
Career statistics
As of match played November 23, 2024 [ 30]
Notes
^ Montreal Impact changed its name to CF Montréal in 2021
References
^ a b c Karifa Yao at the Canadian Soccer Association
^ Jacques, John (June 1, 2019). "Montreal Impact Sign Karifa Yao To Homegrown Contract" . Northern Tribune .
^ Gauthier, Audrey (September 22, 2016). "2000$ pour Karifa Yao" [$2000 for Karifa Yao]. Métro (in French).
^ Lacerte-Gauthier, Félix (June 5, 2019). "Un ancien de Saint-Ex avec l'Impact" [A former Saint-Ex with the Impact]. Métro (in French).
^ "Centre-back and Impact Academy product Karifa Yao signs with the first team" . Montreal Impact . June 4, 2019.
^ Vance, Paul (February 3, 2021). "Yao & Ferdinand Off on Loan Moves" . Mount Royal Soccer .
^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (3 February 2021). "Cavalry FC adds defender Karifa Yao on loan from MLS side CF Montreal" . Canadian Premier League .
^ Jacques, John (February 3, 2021). "CF Montreal Loans Karifa Yao To Cavalry FC" . Northern Tribune .
^ Jacques, John (November 20, 2021). "Pacific Powers Way To 2021 CPL Final" . Northern Tribune .
^ Tierney, Mitchell (October 13, 2022). " 'Always, play until the whistle': Karifa Yao and Cavalry FC looking to show they have learned from last year's playoffs" . Canadian Premier League .
^ Rhodes, Benedict (December 17, 2021). "CPL50 – 16. Karifa Yao (Cavalry FC)" . Canadian Premier League .
^ Saelhof, Todd (January 18, 2022). "Replacing major pieces Farsi, Yao, Nash tall order for Cavs" . Calgary Herald .
^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 25, 2021). "Cavalry FC announce departure of six players including Farsi, Yao" . Canadian Premier League .
^ "CF Montréal exercises options for 12 players" . CF Montreal . November 30, 2021.
^ "CF Montreal sign defenseman Karifa Yao to extension" . Sportsnaut . March 18, 2022.
^ "Cavalry FC add Karifa Yao and Jean-Aniel Assi on loan from CF Montreal" . Canadian Premier League . March 18, 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18 .
^ "Yao 'happy' he's back with Cavalry FC" . Calgary Herald . March 19, 2022.
^ Saelhof, Todd (August 20, 2022). " 'Real Karifa Yao' doing really well all over field for Cavalry" . Calgary Sun .
^ Adams, J.J. (January 29, 2023). "On Yao, Iverson and the Vancouver Whitecaps" . The Province .
^ Karstens-Smith, Gemma (January 13, 2023). "Canadian defender Yao among fresh faces looking to crack Whitecaps' roster" . Toronto Star .
^ Jacques, John (November 15, 2022). "Yao A Surprise Departure In CF Montreal Roster Update" . Northern Tribune .
^ "Whitecaps FC select former CF Montréal centre back Karifa Yao in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry Draft" . Vancouver Whitecaps FC . November 17, 2022.
^ Jacques, John (November 17, 2022). "Whitecaps Recruit CPL Standout Karifa Yao" . Northern Tribune .
^ Tierney, Mitchell (February 21, 2023). " 'I improved so much': Karifa Yao on CPL experience ahead of first season with Whitecaps" . Canadian Premier League .
^ Jacques, John (March 9, 2023). "Karifa Yao Makes 'Caps Debut In Champions League" . Northern Tribune .
^ Murray, Nicholas (January 23, 2024). "Rhode Island signs Canadian defender Karifa Yao" . USL Championship .
^ Jacques, John (January 23, 2024). "USL newcomer Rhode Island sign Karifa Yao" . Northern Tribune .
^ Lévesque, Dave (June 12, 2019). "Karifa Yao: content d'être à la maison" [Karifa Yao: happy to be home]. Le Journal de Montréal (in French).
^ Téotonio, Jean-François (January 18, 2022). "La COVID-19 force déjà une " prise de conscience " " [COVID-19 is already forcing “awareness”]. La Presse (in French).
^ Karifa Yao at Soccerway
External links
Head Coach: Smith
Assistant Coach: McKay
Assistant/Goalkeeping Coach: Spratt
Team Administrator: Gove