Yao `happy' he's back at Cavalry FC
Karifa Yao is coming back to Cavalry FC.
And he's bringing along another loaner from CF Montreal in Jean-aniel Assi.
Yao returns to the Canadian Premier League club for a second season while on loan from the Major Soccer League side.
“I'm happy to be back,” said the 21-year-old Yao. “It is a privilege and honour to wear this jersey again and to try to help Cavalry FC achieve great results.”
The privilege, the Cavs will tell you, is all theirs.
The towering defender struck a chord with fans and teammates for his reliable protection of his own end. He won 38 out of his 67 tackles throughout the regular season, and added 174 duels won and 74 aerial duels won. Notably, he also scored against Pacific FC in the 2021 CPL playoffs. Yao is a strong centre back who always puts in big tackles in the last line of defence and the club is pleased to have him return to the roster.
“We are very pleased to welcome Karifa back to Spruce Meadows,” said Cavalry general manager/ head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. of the Montreal native. “As the reigning Foot Soldiers 2021 choice for player of the year, he not only won the hearts and minds of our fans but his teammates and coaching staff, too, with his fierce attitude, comfort with the ball at his feet and reliable defensive play. He brings a great physical presence to our team and has an incredible competitive mentality both on the training pitch and in games.”
Yao also brings with him a fellow prospect in winger Assi.
Assi joined the Montreal Impact Academy at 13 and represented Canada at the 2019 CONCACAF boys under-15 championship. He signed his first professional contract in 2020 with Montreal FC and became the youngest player ever to debut for the club on Dec. 15, 2020, in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Honduran squad C.D. Olimpia.
Now 17, the forward is on loan for the 2022 campaign.
“I am very happy to join Cavalry FC,” said Assi, a Canadian who is a native of Cote d'ivoire. “I'm here to win with my teammates and all the fans in the region. Calgary is a beautiful city with an Olympic history. I hope to be able to make an impact this season in the CPL and celebrate a title with the Foot Soldiers group.”
The team believes its followers — including the original supporters group — will take a shine to Assi just as they did with Yao.
“Jean-aniel is a player that has been on our radar for a year or so now through CF Montreal,” added Wheeldon Jr. “He is another young Canadian player with high potential that possesses incredible pace, one-vs.-one attacking ability and a great work rate.”