St. Louis City’s J. Yaro#15 Has a Clearance Move That Makes Forwards Cry — The Hilarious Trick You Have to See!
You know the name on the back of the jersey, but really, it’s the number on the field that matters. Josh Yaro, wearing #15, anchors the back line for St. Louis City SC. He brings a steady presence, built on years of real-world experience. With Yaro, you get a defender who mixes leadership, consistency, and an uncanny sense for reading the game.
When you watch Yaro, you see more than just clearances and tackles. You catch the story of a guy who left Ghana, earned a scholarship at Georgetown, and worked his way into becoming one of the most reliable defenders in American soccer.
His path took him from college standout to MLS draft pick, then to USL veteran, and now to St. Louis City SC. That journey explains why coaches keep trusting him in the heart of the defense.
Yaro’s career paints a picture of persistence and adaptability. He played for Philadelphia Union, took on a leadership role with St. Louis CITY2, and now finds himself on the MLS squad. You can see how his background and stops along the way shape the player you watch today.
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Player Overview
Josh Yaro brings experience from both MLS and the USL. He blends leadership with steady defensive play. Over the years, he’s grown from his college days at Georgetown into a reliable option for St. Louis CITY SC.
His background, versatility, and consistency make him valuable on a roster built around structure and discipline.
Position and Playing Style
You watch Yaro and notice his natural fit as a center back. He leans on positioning and timing more than brute strength.
That quick first step lets him close space against attackers. His awareness helps him read the game and intercept passes before danger develops.
Instead of relying on size, Yaro uses balance and anticipation to win duels. He’s comfortable stepping into midfield when needed, but he always keeps his focus on protecting the back line.
At Georgetown, he built a reputation as a calm defender who rarely lost his cool under pressure.
His passing stays short and efficient. He keeps possession moving without unnecessary risk. You’ll see him clear danger when needed, but he avoids careless giveaways.
That mix of reliability and control makes him a steady presence in a league where mistakes can decide games.
Jersey Number and Team Role
With jersey #15, Yaro brings a veteran presence to St. Louis CITY SC. He doesn’t always grab headlines, but his role as a depth defender and locker room leader remains important.
Younger players look to him for guidance, especially because he’s played across different levels of American soccer.
He joined the club through St. Louis CITY2, where he wore the captain’s armband during the first MLS NEXT Pro season. That leadership role carried into the senior squad. Now, he provides stability in rotation and during those hectic stretches of the schedule.
Coaches trust him in high-pressure moments, whether closing out matches or stepping in when injuries hit. His influence goes beyond the pitch, as his professionalism sets a standard for the whole squad.
Key Achievements
Yaro’s career highlights include being the second overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by the Philadelphia Union. He played in 23 MLS games for the Union before continuing his career in the USL Championship with Bethlehem Steel, San Antonio FC, and San Diego Loyal.
At Georgetown, he earned NSCAA First-Team All-American honors, which cemented his status as one of the country’s top defenders. That pedigree followed him into the pros, where he’s now racked up over 100 professional appearances.
With St. Louis CITY SC, he signed a contract extension through 2025, with a team option for 2026. The club clearly trusts his contributions. As captain of CITY2, he helped guide the defense to seven shutouts, ranking among the best in MLS NEXT Pro that season.
Career Snapshot
| Team/Level | Years | Appearances | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | 2013–2015 | 57 | NSCAA First-Team All-American |
| Philadelphia Union | 2016–2018 | 23 | MLS SuperDraft #2 pick |
| USL Clubs (various) | 2019–2021 | 75+ | San Antonio, San Diego, etc. |
| St. Louis CITY2 | 2022 | 25 | Captain, 7 shutouts |
| St. Louis CITY SC | 2023–present | Ongoing | Contract through 2025 |
You won’t find flashy stats, but you’ll see steady contributions, leadership, and trust from every club that signs him.
St. Louis City SC Career
Josh Yaro’s path with St. Louis City SC stands out for his leadership, steady defending, and his consistent presence on the back line. He’s stuck around thanks to contract stability, regular appearances, and a real impact on how the team organizes defensively.
Signing and Contract Details
St. Louis City SC brought Yaro in ahead of its MLS debut season. They signed him after he impressed with the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, CITY2.
He joined CITY2 in 2022, took on the captaincy, and anchored the defense during the team’s first campaign. That season gave him the chance to show he was ready for the senior squad.
The club extended his deal through 2025, with a team option for 2026. That move shows confidence in his value to the roster.
At age 30, Yaro brings experience and stability—exactly what an expansion team needs as it tries to build something in MLS.
His contract history says a lot about the organization’s trust. Not many CITY2 players earned long-term commitments, but Yaro’s leadership and consistency set him apart. That trust still shows in his first-team role.
Appearances and Performance
Yaro has logged appearances in both MLS and MLS NEXT Pro, splitting minutes between the senior squad and the developmental side.
With CITY2, he played 25 matches in 2022, starting 24, and helped the defense collect seven clean sheets. That ranked among the better defensive records in the league.
For the first team, his role has been more situational. He often steps in when rotation or injuries hit the center backs. His earlier MLS experience with the Philadelphia Union helped him adapt fast.
Career Snapshot
| Team | Competition | Appearances | Starts | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis CITY2 | MLS NEXT Pro 2022 | 25 | 24 | 7 |
| St. Louis City SC | MLS (2023–2025) | Ongoing | Varies | Multiple |
The stats don’t always leap off the page, but his reliability makes him a trusted option in the rotation.
Impact on Team Defense
Yaro’s influence shows up in how the back line organizes when he plays. His time at Georgetown, where he earned All-American honors, helped him develop positional awareness.
That skill translates into clear communication and a steady hand in the defensive third.
With CITY2, he set the tone as captain, guiding younger players through tough match situations. That leadership carried into the senior squad, where he’s often steadied the defense during rough stretches.
He reads the game well and closes down space, which is huge for a team still figuring out its MLS identity. Even if he’s not always the first-choice starter, his consistency gives St. Louis City SC a reliable defensive option when needed.
By combining MLS experience, college pedigree, and maturity, Yaro has helped shape a defense that keeps getting stronger.
Previous Clubs and Professional Journey
You can trace Josh Yaro’s career across Major League Soccer, the USL Championship, and MLS NEXT Pro. His path shows steady development and leadership at every stop.
Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel
The Philadelphia Union picked Yaro second overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft after his standout years at Georgetown University.
He jumped into a competitive backline as a young defender with big expectations.
He made 23 league appearances for the Union, where his speed and anticipation stood out. Injuries slowed his consistency, but he still gained valuable minutes against top MLS competition.
He also played for Bethlehem Steel FC, the Union’s USL affiliate. There, he logged regular starts and took on the challenge of leading a younger roster.
Union and Bethlehem Stats
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Union | 2016–2018 | 23 | 0 |
| Bethlehem Steel FC | 2016–2018 | 38 | 0 |
San Antonio FC and San Diego Loyal
After Philadelphia, Yaro turned to the USL Championship for more playing time. He took on a bigger role with San Antonio FC, becoming a reliable starter in central defense.
His physical presence and ability to read the game gave San Antonio stability.
He later moved to the San Diego Loyal, a club led by Landon Donovan. In San Diego, Yaro brought veteran experience to a new organization and played a key role in organizing the backline.
Across both clubs, Yaro totaled over 75 appearances in the league. His time in the USL Championship helped him refine his positional sense and leadership.
St. Louis City 2 and MLS NEXT Pro
In 2022, Yaro joined St. Louis City 2 for the first season of MLS NEXT Pro. He immediately earned the captain’s armband—a clear sign of trust from the locker room.
He started 24 of 25 matches and anchored a defense that recorded seven shutouts, putting them among the league’s best.
That performance helped him secure a spot with St. Louis City SC ahead of their MLS debut. His contract extension through 2025, with a team option for 2026, shows how much the club values him as both a player and a leader.
You can find more about his current role at St. Louis City SC.
Youth and College Development
Yaro’s journey as a defender stretches across continents. He started in Ghana, made a stop in California, and then landed in Washington, D.C. Each step built on the last, giving him technical skill and a competitive edge before turning pro.
Early Life in Kumasi and Right to Dream Academy
Growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, Yaro didn’t have easy access to structured soccer programs like kids in Europe or the U.S. do. The real turning point came when he joined the Right to Dream Academy, a place known for mixing education with high-level soccer training.
At Right to Dream, you don’t just sharpen your skills on the field. You also get academic preparation that opens doors abroad. Yaro made the most of both, balancing schoolwork with daily training.
The academy stressed discipline, tactical smarts, and community responsibility. That environment gave Yaro a strong foundation before he ever left Ghana. Without it, his move to the United States would’ve been a lot tougher.
Cate School Experience
When Yaro moved to California, he signed up at Cate School, a private boarding school tucked away in Carpinteria. Honestly, this step changed everything for him. It let him adjust to American culture and education, all while keeping up with top-level soccer.
At Cate, Yaro really stood out on the soccer team. His speed, sharp positioning, and knack for reading the game set him apart. Coaches looked to him for leadership, even though he was still just a teenager.
The mix of tough academics and high-level soccer pushed him forward. By graduation, Yaro stood out as one of the best recruits in the country—a rare thing for someone from Kumasi.
Georgetown University Soccer Career
You can’t really understand Yaro’s journey without talking about his time at Georgetown University. From 2013 to 2015, he anchored the Hoyas’ defense and quickly grabbed national attention.
He picked up an NSCAA First-Team All-American honor, which showed just how much he meant to one of college soccer’s top programs. His efforts helped Georgetown make deep NCAA Tournament runs.
Here’s a quick look at his college career:
| Season | Matches Played | Honors |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 23 | Big East Rookie of the Year |
| 2014 | 18 | All-Big East First Team |
| 2015 | 16 | NSCAA First-Team All-American |
Georgetown gave Yaro the stage to prove himself against top competition. By the time the 2016 MLS SuperDraft rolled around, it was clear why he stood out as a top prospect.
Personal Background
Joshua Yaro’s path really shows how his roots in Ghana and his new life in the US shaped him. He found a balance between chasing athletic goals and growing personally, staying steady both on the field and off.
Early Life and Move to the United States
Joshua Yaro was born in Kumasi, Ghana on November 18, 1994. As a kid, he picked up a natural feel for the game, but his dreams always stretched beyond the local fields. His family put a lot of value on education, and that pushed him to look for chances abroad.
He landed a scholarship to Georgetown University, where he grew into one of the top college defenders. At Georgetown, he stood out for his steady play and leadership, earning that NSCAA First-Team All-American nod.
Moving to the US wasn’t just about soccer for him. He learned to juggle academics, adjust to a new culture, and build relationships that kept him moving forward. His success at Georgetown led to him going second overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft with the Philadelphia Union.
College Career Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| College | Georgetown University |
| Honors | NSCAA First-Team All-American |
| Draft Position | 2nd Overall, 2016 MLS SuperDraft |
Off-the-Field Contributions
When you look at Yaro’s career, it goes way beyond just match results. He jumps into community programs, showing up for youth clinics and outreach events whenever he can.
His stint as captain of St. Louis CITY2 in 2022 really highlighted his leadership. But honestly, it also proved he’s willing to take on responsibility away from the pitch.
He puts a big focus on mentorship. Younger players in the St. Louis system actually learn a lot from the way he handles pressure and stays disciplined.
That kind of steady influence matters, especially for a club that’s still finding its identity.
Yaro’s journey from Kumasi to Major League Soccer shows there’s more to him than just raw talent.
He uses his platform to reach fans, back local initiatives, and—maybe most importantly—set a good example for anyone coming up behind him.
His presence brings a sense of stability, not just in the locker room but out in the community too.
