MLS Power Rankings: Tai Baribo Lifts Philadelphia Union While Inter Miami Falters Despite Messi

Baribo's Unstoppable Form Ignites Philadelphia's Dream Run

Tai Baribo isn’t just having a good season; he’s rewriting the Philadelphia Union’s MLS story. The Israeli striker has been ruthless up front, hammering in his 13th goal of the season with a dramatic two-goal performance against LA Galaxy. The fans barely had time to breathe before Baribo stunned everyone with a last-gasp winner in stoppage time, making it the second-latest game-winner this MLS season. Referees blew the final whistle moments after his tight-angled finish, sending Philly supporters into a frenzy.

Baribo isn’t just scoring—he’s setting records at warp speed. He needed only 12 matches to hit 10 goals, the quickest in Union history, leapfrogging Jack McInerney’s benchmark set way back in 2013. With those numbers, it’s no shock to see Baribo at the top of the Golden Boot charts. He’s also the first player to lock up the MLS Player of the Matchday title twice in 2025, putting his name right at the pulse of the league’s weekly headlines.

This scoring barrage is powering Philadelphia’s red-hot start. With 26 points collected over 13 games, they’ve never racked up this many points so quickly. Only St. Louis City SC sits ahead in the Eastern Conference—barely. What’s more impressive? The variety in Baribo’s goals. He’s getting headers, sneaking in near-post finishes, and popping up everywhere defenders fear.

Inter Miami’s Ongoing Puzzle: Messi Shines, Results Don’t

While Philly surges, Inter Miami’s saga continues—and not the fairytale kind. Lionel Messi’s passing wizardry brought the crowd to its feet again as he turned provider for Telasco Segovia’s last-gasp equalizer in a recent 3-3 draw with the Union. Messi finds teammates in impossible spaces, but his magic keeps hitting a stubborn ceiling. Miami just can’t seem to transform possession and highlight-reel assists into consistent wins.

Even when Baribo netted another impressive brace against them, Miami scraped out a point but left fans with that now-familiar sense of what could have been. With Messi in pink, you’d expect Miami to be climbing the table. Instead, they remain stuck in mid-table, surrounded by questions about their depth, defense, and ability to close games out in the dying minutes.

For the Union, the future looks even brighter with 15-year-old whiz kid Cavan Sullivan making waves off the bench. Against LA Galaxy, he made an instant impact, showing vision and a maturity way beyond his age as he helped carve open the game-winning goal. Philly’s new blend of proven scorers and fearless youngsters has the city buzzing about what this squad—built around the unstoppable Tai Baribo—could achieve.