Mikayla Dayes (born 15 August 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Swedish Damallsvenskan club KIF Örebro DFF and the Jamaica women's national football team.
Early Life and Youth Career Born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Dayes developed her football skills in her home country. She played youth football for Brams United and was recognized as a promising talent early in her career.
College Career Dayes attended the University of Maryland, where she played collegiate soccer for the Maryland Terrapins from 2018 to 2022. Over her five seasons with the Terrapins (including an extra year due to COVID-19), she made 77 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists. Her senior year in 2022 was particularly productive, as she scored 5 goals and assisted 3, earning her a place on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team.
Club Career
- Glentoran Women: Following her collegiate career, Dayes signed with Glentoran Women in the NIFL Women's Premiership in Northern Ireland for the 2023 season. She quickly became an integral part of the team, contributing to their domestic campaigns.
- FC Berlin: During the 2023 summer, she also played for FC Berlin in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in the United States.
- KIF Örebro DFF: In January 2024, Dayes made a move to European top-flight football, signing with Swedish club KIF Örebro DFF, which competes in the Damallsvenskan, the highest women's football league in Sweden.
International Career Dayes represents the Jamaica women's national football team, known as the "Reggae Girlz." She received her first call-up to the senior national team in February 2022 for the CONCACAF W Championship qualifiers. She made her senior international debut for Jamaica during this period and has since been a consistent part of national team camps and squads, contributing to their efforts in international competitions.
Playing Style Dayes is primarily known for her speed, technical dribbling ability, and versatility in attacking roles. She is capable of playing on either wing or as a central forward, using her pace to trouble defenders and create scoring opportunities.