Yates attended Archbishop Curley High School and DeMatha High School, played club soccer for the two-time national champion Casa Mia's Bays, and later attended the U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, Florida.
He played four years of college soccer at the University of Maryland, and helped them to the NCAA Division I title in 2008.
Yates was drafted in the second round (29th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Chicago Fire but was not offered a contract by the team.
[3] Yates signed with USL Pro club Harrisburg City Islanders on April 13, 2011.
[4] Yates worked at Grace Christian School Bowie after his professional career ended.