Tai Baribo earns MLS Player of the Month for February and March

Tai Baribo is cooking. MLS Player of the Month for February and March, six goals in six games, and already cementing himself as one of the most dangerous scorers in the league. The hat trick against FC Cincinnati was the statement, and now he’s just stacking receipts on everyone who doubted whether he could lead the line for the Union.

Let’s put it in perspective — this is historic output. Baribo is only the fourth player in MLS history to score at least five goals in his club’s first two matches of a season. The other names? Chicharito, Ayo Akinola, and Brian Ching. Not bad company. And since June of last year? Nobody has scored more MLS goals than Baribo. Nobody.

He’s got more multi-goal games than anyone. He’s the only player in the league with multiple hat tricks in that stretch. And he just broke the Union record for most goals through March, with two more than even Gazdag put up during his red-hot 2024 start.

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It’s not just stat padding either — Baribo’s production has directly translated to wins. The Union are 4-2-0, sitting second in the East, and boast a +5 goal differential.

Tai Baribo Named MLS Player of the Month for February/March 2025

A record-breaking start to the season for the @PhilaUnion forward.

Tai Baribo is your February + March Player of the Month! ✨ pic.twitter.com/rg27MSLqS9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 3, 2025

Tai Baribo playing like a true No. 9 and giving Philly the edge they’ve needed since the departure of Cory Burke and the gradual regression of Uhre. If this keeps up, the Baribo-Gazdag connection could become one of the most lethal combos in MLS.

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The numbers are dumb in the best way possible. He leads the league in goals. He’s tied for the MLS lead with 15 since last June. He has more multi-goal games than anyone in the league since then. Oh, and he’s the only player with multiple hat tricks during that stretch.

If you’re doing that kind of damage, you’re not a hot streak — you’re a full-blown threat.

Tai Baribo has been electric for the Philadelphia Union in 2025

Tai Baribo was balling out over the weekend. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FBUNmhetDE

— 🎮 Major League Soccer | #eMLS (@eMLS) March 5, 2025

For a club that has prided itself on gritty defending and team-first soccer for years, Tai Baribo is the kind of dangerous striker the Union haven’t had since prime Sébastien Le Toux. He’s not just finishing chances — he’s creating panic every time he gets on the ball in the final third. Opposing defenders don’t want smoke. And honestly, I don’t blame them.

Let’s talk history. Baribo is just the third Union player ever to be named Player of the Month. The last guy to pull it off? Jack McInerney in 2013.

Yeah, it’s been that long.

Even Gazdag, who’s been everything for this team the past few years, never grabbed this honor. Baribo already has more goals through March than any player in club history. He’s setting records, and we’re not even a quarter through the season.

Next up: Orlando City at Subaru Park on Saturday night. And if you’re an opposing center back? Maybe just go ahead and start icing the hamstrings now — you’ll be chasing Baribo all evening.

With Orlando City rolling into town this weekend, the Union sit second in the East with a +5 goal differential. A huge part of that? Baribo’s nose for goal. He’s not just scoring — he’s setting the tone. This team plays more confident when they know their striker can bury a chance from anywhere inside the box.

Philadelphia Union Standings:

Saturday night at Subaru Park is going to be loud. If you’re not locked in on this guy yet, you’re missing out on one of the best stories in MLS so far.

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