Canadian defender Karifa Yao joined the Montreal Impact youth academy in 2017 playing for both their U17 and U19 squads, before signing an MLS Homegrown player contract with the Montreal Impact first team in 2019. Yao appeared in 2 matches for Montreal before being loaned out to Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League where he played in 49 matches across two seasons. In 2023, Yao split time between the Vancouver Whitecaps FC first and second teams and signed with Rhode Island FC in January 2024, for the clubs first USL Championship season.