Zakaria Taifi (born October 1, 2005) is a American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for MLS Next Pro club Orlando City B, the reserve affiliate of Major League Soccer club Orlando City.
Youth career
Taifi joined the Orlando City academy in 2015. In 2021, Taifi was a major contributor to the academy winning the 2021 U17 MLS Next Cup against the Player Development Academy.[2]
Club career
Orlando City B
Taifi made the bench four times in 2022 for Orlando City B in MLS Next Pro, first being made available from the academy on August 20 against Columbus Crew 2.[3][4]
On March 16, 2023, Taifi made his professional debut when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute for Yutaro Tsukada in a 2–3 win over Atlanta United 2.[5] In the following match six days later against Huntsville City, Taifi made his first start, helping the game to end 1–1. In the following penalty-kick shoot-out, Taifi missed his penalty, but the team would win the shoot-out 3–4 regardless.[6]
On March 12, 2024, Taifi was promoted from the academy and signed a two-year contract with the developmental team.[1]
On March 9, 2025, Taifi scored the first goal of his senior career, the second goal of a 2–1 win over Columbus Crew 2.[7]
Orlando City
On March 1, 2025, Taifi signed a short-term agreement with Orlando City which would see him made available for a match against Toronto FC on the same day, but he would be an unused substitute.[8][9]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played March 16, 2025[3]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Playoffs | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Orlando City B | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2023 | 23 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 0 | |||||
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||||
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 | ||
| Orlando City | 2025 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 | ||
References
- ^ a b "Orlando City B signs academy product Zakaria Taifi". Orlando City B. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Orlando City B signs academy product Zakaria Taifi". Orlando City B. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "USA – Z. Taifi". Soccerway. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Orlando City B vs. Columbus Crew II". Soccerway. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta United II vs. Orlando City B". Soccerway. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Huntsville City vs. Orlando City B". Soccerway. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "ORLvsCLB 03-09-2025". MLS Next Pro. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ "Orlando City SC Signs Gustavo Caraballo, Colin Guske & Zakaria Taifi to Short-Term Agreements". Orlando City. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "ORLvsTOR 03-01-2025". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
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