Tai Baribo has firmly established himself as one of DC United's key players this season, and even after the club's 0-0 home draw with Atlanta United on Saturday night, head coach René Weiler made clear just how highly he rated the Israeli striker.
When asked by The Jerusalem Post Washington correspondent about Baribo's importance to the team, Weiler praised the Israeli forward: "He is a scorer. He is a guy who does not get many goal-scoring chances but still scores. He has scored 14 goals so far. That is a great number. We know it, and even the opponents know it. I am happy that he is on our team and not on another team."
The Swiss coach, who joined DC United in the summer of 2025 after a lengthy managerial career in Europe and abroad, has watched Baribo emerge as the focal point of his attack.
Weiler's praise came at the end of a week that illustrated exactly why Baribo had earned that status inside the club. On Wednesday, the Israeli scored both goals in DC United's 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew at Audi Field.
Baribo opened the scoring in the 24th minute and struck again in the 37th, taking his season tally to 14 goals. It was also his return to the starting lineup following an injury, and he immediately proved decisive.
Baribo leads DC United in scores
Baribo is DC United's leading scorer this season. Four of his goals have been game-winners, and he has converted all three penalties he has taken.
That efficiency was precisely what Weiler highlighted. Baribo didn't need a string of chances to change a match; his ability to capitalize on limited opportunities has made him DC's most reliable attacking threat.
That momentum stalled Saturday night as D.C. United held to a 0-0 draw with Atlanta. Baribo had two opportunities but could not add to his tally. Still, the club showed no drop in confidence in the Israeli forward, who remained the central figure in DC's attack with 14 goals, with the season still ongoing.
Next Saturday night – early Sunday morning in Israel – Baribo will face a match with a particularly strong Israeli angle.
Charlotte FC is set to visit Audi Field to face DC United, bringing with them fellow Israelis Idan Toklomati and Liel Abada.
Charlotte's two Israeli attackers arrived in Washington in strong scoring form of their own. In Wednesday's 2-1 win over CF Montréal, Abada scored the equalizer before Toklomati netted the winner in the 81st minute.
They both found the net again in Saturday night's dramatic 3-3 draw with FC Cincinnati, with Abada scoring in the seventh minute and Toklomati in the 55th.
That set up a small Israeli derby within MLS at Audi Field: Baribo leading the line for DC United on one side, and Toklomati and Abada representing Charlotte on the other.
For DC – and especially for Weiler – there was little doubt about whom they would be hoping to see back on the scoresheet.
As the coach put it: "I am happy that he is on our team and not on another team."