Field Insider
Centre-backCanadaUSL Championship

Karifa Yao

Squad depthRhode Island · 25 yrsRotation
29.5
14.5%
Ratingi
17.5
Seasoni
3.6
Valuei

based on the 2025 season · updated 18 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameKarifa Abdoul Yao
PositionCentre-back
NationalityCanada
Age25
Date of birth28 Sept 2000
Height191 cm
Shirt number#24
ClubRhode Island
More about K. Yao →
Centre-back

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
13
Appearances
0
Goals
0
Assists
979
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Rhode Island.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral defender

K. Yao is a 25-year-old central defender at Rhode Island, rated 29.6 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 49th of 257 on scout potential in the USL Championship. In his prime years, he has been a fringe squad member this season (33% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.3 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Yao.

Judged on this season alone, Yao graded 18 — a strong campaign that ranks top 18% of the 56 centre-backs in the USL Championship, on 5 clean sheets and 2.298 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 0 → 18). Across the 3 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 30, top 18% of the 56 centre-backs in the USL Championship. At 25 Yao is in his prime years, and a market index of 3.6 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential10th of 56 centre-backs · USL Championship · 13 appsCurrent season10th of 56 centre-backs · USL Championship · 13 apps10th-best centre-back in the USL Championship49th in the USL Championship · potential10th-highest potential centre-back in the USL Championship
29.6
Ratingi
10th of 56 centre-backs
17.5
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
33%
Minutes
limited game time
2.3
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Rhode Island finished 6th of 12 · a mid-table side

13
Apps
2.3
Def. / 90
16
Tackles
9
Interceptions
5
Clean sheets

2.3 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 5 clean sheets across 13 appearances.

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 33% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 29.6, Yao carries the 10th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the USL Championship of 56 — though on just 13 appearances this season, so the standing rests on a small sample. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.3 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Approaching peak years; value is still building (price multiplier 2×) with the best seasons likely ahead.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the USL Championship with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles16
Interceptions9

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.