Israeli Striker Tai Baribo Challenges Messi in MLS Golden Boot Race

Israeli national team striker Tai Baribo scored two goals in D.C. United's 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew on Wednesday night, marking his first brace since April. With 14 goals this season, Baribo is currently third in the Major League Soccer (MLS) scoring charts, trailing leaders Lionel Messi and Peter Musa of Dallas. With ten games remaining in the season, Baribo, who has scored in six of his last seven appearances, is positioned to contend for the league's top scorer award.

Baribo is currently four goals behind Messi, who has a game in hand. Notably, Messi has not scored in his last two matches. This season marks Baribo's third full year in MLS and his first with D.C. United, who signed him as a key player after his tenure with the Philadelphia Union, where he scored 16 goals in the previous regular season.

Baribo's current performance includes 14 goals in 18 games, averaging a goal every 103 minutes, placing him among the league's top performers. D.C. United has already surpassed their previous season's point total, accumulating 28 points in 23 games compared to 26 points in the entire last season. In contrast, Philadelphia, Baribo's former team, has fewer points this season than last.

Baribo has also outscored notable players like Luis Suárez (12 goals), Adama Traoré (8 goals), and Thomas Müller (7 goals), despite playing fewer games than them. The current MLS top scorers list shows Messi and Musa with 18 goals, followed by Baribo, Nicolás Fernández, and Brian White with 14 goals each.