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MLS: Top performances from Week 23

By Matt Coles

ATLANTA, GA MAY 08: Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (7) looks back at the goal after his shot just missed during the MLS match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on May 8th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA MAY 08: Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (7) looks back at the goal after his shot just missed during the MLS match between Toronto FC and Atlanta United FC on May 8th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Sporting KC, Real Salt Lake, Corey Baird
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Corey Baird #17 of Real Salt Lake takes the ball down the field as Rolf Feltscher #25 of Los Angeles Galaxy tries to block during the first half of a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on April 28, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

3. Corey Baird

The 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year makes it into this list for the first time this season as he bagged a brace to help Real Salt Lake to a vital victory in their push for post-season action. Corey Baird was the saviour at the weekend, as he helped turn things around in RSL’s clash on the road in Kansas City.

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It was Sporting KC that took the lead, thanks to a perfectly placed free-kick from Johnny Russell. The winger found the far corner of Nick Rimando’s net to give SKC the lead on the half-hour mark. The lead did not last long, as Baird got in on the act just seven minutes later, levelling the match on a rebounded effort from Albert Rusnak’s free-kick.

His second goal was an even sweeter strike. That came with twenty minutes to go, as Jefferson Savarino found Baird in plenty of space in the box, with the midfielder volleying the ball home with his left foot. SKC then went down to ten men for the final few minutes of the match, as Daniel Salloi was sent off, giving RSL some breathing space to take the win. Thanks to Baird’s double, RSL maintained their place in the playoff places in the Western Conference, sitting just two points behind 2nd placed Seattle.

Baird now has three goals and two assists on the season, and he is finding some of the form that took him to the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year crown. If he keeps it up, then despite the off-field dramas, RSL could go deep into the playoffs.

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