UZI TAYOU
professional Soccer player.
COach. Philanthropist. Plant based athlete. DESIGNER.
Uzi Tayou is a Cameroonian-American footballer who plays for the Texas Outlaws of the Major Arena Soccer League. He is also an award-winning coach, who believes passionately in the power of soccer to ignite dreams and drive personal growth.
A twelve-year veteran in the MASL, Uzi has played for the Las Vegas Legends, Baltimore Blast, Soles de Sonora, Monterrey Flash, Empire Strykers (formerly Ontario Fury), and Texas Outlaws. He has reached the MASL Ron Newman Cup Finals with three different teams and won a championship with Baltimore in 2016. Uzi is a frequent league leader in blocked shots and was named to the 2020 Western Conference All-Star Team. He is part of the United States National Arena Soccer Team and represented Team USA in the WMF World Cup in 2017 in Tunisia and 2019 in Australia, as well as winning the EMF Nations Games in 2023.
Uzi moved to from his native Cameroon to Las Vegas in 2006 and rose to prominence with a successful college soccer career at West Virginia University, which included two NCAA Tournaments. He signed his first indoor pro contract with the MASL in 2012, and then his first outdoor pro contract in 2018, joining the Tulsa Roughnecks of the United Soccer League.
He is the older brother of fellow professional soccer player and MASL MVP Franck Tayou. Throughout their careers, they have devoted time, energy and resources to community service, specifically vulnerable youth and houseless populations. For their work off the field, the two were awarded the Ed Tepper Humanitarian of the Year in 2019. Uzi has also architected a successful health and fitness program for residents of affordable housing communities in the Inland Empire in California.
In addition to being a leading force in sport and health, Uzi is involved in wide-ranging entrepreneurial ventures that allow him to express passions beyond soccer. He is a sought after coach, committed philanthropist, plant-based chef, fitness enthusiast, and innovative fashion designer.
Uzi partners with select brands, in addition to LX3, the fashion line he co-founded with his brothers and best friends, a part of what has become his signature style. LX3’s focus has always been on materials that reflect tradition, individuality, and culture. He seeks to not only show what is possible through an expressive lens, but to create physical manuscripts of a future for sustainability and design that is dynamic, ornate and expressive.
Committed to opportunities for youth and wellness for all, Uzi has pioneered an award-winning holistic approach to coaching that centers both physical and mental training. His 1570 FC, Junior Academy, group sessions and private coaching for all ages (in soccer, as well as general fitness) develop skills and healthy habits for emerging talents and community members alike.
