Philly Leader

Philadelphia Union forward Tai Baribo has been recognized as the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday, presented by Michelob Ultra, for Matchday 2 of the 2025 MLS season. Baribo's performance was highlighted by his second career MLS hat trick during the Union’s 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.

Baribo scored a total of five goals in two matches, making him the league leader in goals this season. His achievement places him among notable players like Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, Ayo Akinola, and Brian Ching who have also scored at least five goals in their club’s first two matches. Additionally, Baribo became the fifth player in league history to score multiple goals in each of his first two games of a season and is the first from Philadelphia Union to do so.

In the match against FC Cincinnati, Baribo opened scoring six minutes into play with an assist from Kai Wagner. He then doubled his tally at the 30th minute following a setup by Dániel Gazdag. The duo connected again after halftime when Gazdag assisted Baribo for his third goal in the 52nd minute.

This recognition marks Baribo's second time being named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra; he previously received this honor last season on Matchday 27. He joins Julián Carranza, Dániel Gazdag, and Sébastien Le Toux as players from Philadelphia Union who have earned this distinction multiple times.

The Philadelphia Union aims to maintain their winning streak as they prepare to face New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on March 8.

The selection process for MLS Player of the Matchday involves both media and fan voting managed by MLS Communications. The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) panel accounts for 75 percent of the vote while an Instagram fan vote makes up the remaining 25 percent.