All Karifa Yao has known is the CF Montreal entourage. At least before the unsuspected separation of the team from the 22-year-old Lavallois.
Aged 19, Yao got his first minutes, then his first start in MLS under the orders of Thierry Henry. He was then one of the team’s prized projects as a central hinge.
The next two seasons – on loan from CFM – he packed up and traveled to Calgary to defend the colors of Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). In addition to taking the lead, the Quebecer signed performances that allowed him to expect to take a place with the first team for the 2023 season, after this internship.
Then the divorce. At the end of the 2022 season, the CFM decided not to exercise Yao’s contract option.
The Vancouver Whitecaps didn’t hesitate for a second before grabbing the 6’3″ forecastle. Barely two days after the news, the British Columbia club selected him in the first stage of the MLS Draft Process.
“The [Whitecaps’ head coach, Vanni Sartini] liked my profile and thought I was a promising young player. Coming to Vancouver, he explained to me that several things would benefit me. »
The CFM has instead decided to bet on the American George Campbell, the Icelandic Róbert Thorkelsson and the Italian Gabriele Corbo as relief in central defense.
The interview with Yao came a few days before the duel between his old and new club, which will take place on Saturday evening at 10:30 p.m. (EDT). The Whitecaps are still in search of a first win this season while CFM will be looking to pocket their first point on the road.
“There may be a little story, but I take it like any other match,” Yao assured.
Samuel Piette said he was excited to face his former teammate – if he secures a spot in the starting XI – and indulged in a few good words about him.
“Karifa is a great guy and a great player,” noted the captain of the Bleu-blanc-noir. I loved playing with him. He’s a whole character in himself. He is a very strong, very aggressive defender. »
An analysis that the main interested party corroborates: “It does not surprise me that he said that. Sam, he’s my guy. What he says is the truth. That’s my game. You could say I like to have fun,” he added with a laugh.
Yao admits to having exchanged a few messages with his former teammates, and we feel this zest of nostalgia when it comes to his time with Montreal.
“It’s not just the end of my journey with the Impact. It is also the end of my adventures with my clubs in Laval. That’s where it all started for me,” he says.
Although Yao is patiently waiting for his turn before he can put a few minutes on the clock in MLS, he has taken part in his club’s two Champions League meetings. He then became only the second player – after CFM’s Joel Waterman – to come through the PLC to participate in this competition.
“CPL has been a stepping stone for me and many other players as well. The league allows young people to gain experience, progress and get a lot of minutes,” he explained.
It was also with the Cavalry that he caught the eye of the leaders of the Whitecaps. In the quarter-finals of the Canadian Championship, Yao offered fierce opposition to the Whitecaps, the eventual cup champions. He played all 90 minutes of the game, which was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.
While his experience in the PLC has helped him prepare for this new challenge, he also underlines the efforts of everyone at the club to facilitate the transition.
“The first three months in Vancouver went really well,” he said. I’m having fun, my teammates welcomed me very well. […] I manage to adapt to the instructions that the coach gives me. I feel good in my new environment and I like it. I am very excited for the rest of the season and for the future. »
At only 22, he began writing the second volume of his career. If the fall is as unpredictable as the first, we can only believe that the third volume will be even more thrilling.