Sidekicks Sign Rookie Jiayu Yao for Upcoming Season

Allen, TX (December 2, 2022)- The Dallas Sidekicks have announced the signing of rookie midfielder, Jiayu Yao for the upcoming season. Per team and league policies, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

Yao was born on September 11, 1995, in Nanning, China but he grew up in Champaign, Illinois. He graduated high school at Centennial High School in Illinois. Growing up, Yao played soccer for Illinois FC.  

He then went on to college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied computer engineering. After college, Yao became a software developer and has been doing that ever since. 

Now, Yao adds a professional indoor soccer player to his resume. Like rookies Raul Acosta and Zane Garcia, Yao also was at the Dallas Sidekicks combine over the Summer. 

When asked about what it meant for him to sign with the Sidekicks, Yao said, “I feel blessed to do what I love. I am very excited to get to work and to help out the team in any way I can.” 

To prepare for the season, Yao has been training every day. He has also been playing soccer at Racing Dallas FC in the UPSL. 

The Dallas Sidekicks host the Chihuahua Savage on December 10th at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, TX at 7 PM. Tickets are on sale now at dallassidekicks.com/tickets, by calling the office at 469-393-0160, or by emailing tickets@dallassidekicks.com. 

ABOUT THE DALLAS SIDEKICKS

The Dallas Sidekicks is an American professional indoor soccer team of the Major Arena Soccer

League. The organization was established in 1984, is headquartered in Allen, Texas, and plays all home games at the Allen Event Center. Follow the Sidekicks at www.dallassidekicks.com and on their social media. 

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ABOUT THE MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE 

The Major Arena Soccer League represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. The MASL features teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico. The MASL is currently incorporated as a 501(c)6 not for profit corporation formed to promote the business and sport of arena soccer.