Corey Baird

Baird, from Escondido, California located 20 miles away from San Deigo, began his youth career with FC Heat, where he played from 2002 to 2004, before moving to San Diego Surf, where he played from 2005 through 2012. Corey played his final year of youth soccer with Real Salt Lake AZ, Real Salt Lake's U.S. Soccer Development Academy team. Corey played in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy from 2010 through 2014.

From 2008 through 2014, Baird participated in Cal-South Olympic Development Program or ODP and various age group US soccer Youth National Teams. In August 2011, Baird was invited and attended the United States men's national under-17 soccer team Residency Program, hosted at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from 2011 to 2013.[2][3][4][5]

On February 6, 2013, Baird signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Stanford University. In his freshman year with the Cardinal, Baird appeared in all 19 matches, making 14 starts in the midfield and helped lead Stanford to its first Pac-12 men's soccer championship[6] since 2001. Baird was twice named Pac-12 Player of the Week during the conference season and was named second team All-Pac-12[7] that year. He was also named to first team Freshman All-American teams by Soccer America[8] and College Soccer News.[9]

In his sophomore year, Baird started all 23 matches, helping to lead Stanford to both defend its Pac-12 men's soccer championship[10] and win its first NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.[11] Baird was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team[11] and again named to second team All-Pac-12[12]

In his junior year, Baird appeared in all 23 matches, making 22 starts in the midfield and at forward, helping to lead Stanford to win its third consecutive Pac-12 men's soccer championship[13] and defend its NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.[14] Baird was named to both the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team[13] and All-Pac-12 first team,[15] as well as earning Pac-12 Player of the Week[16] during the conference season.

In his senior year, Baird appeared in 18 matches, making 16 starts at forward, helping to lead Stanford to win its fourth consecutive Pac-12 men's soccer championship[17] and its third consecutive NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.[18] Baird was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region first team, All-Pac 12 first team,[19] and earned Pac-12 Player of the Week[16] during the conference season.

Baird completed his Stanford career tied for third all-time in career assists[20] while also scoring 16 goals[21]

On January 5, 2018, Baird signed as a Homegrown Player for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.[22]

Baird made his professional debut on March 17, 2018, as a 66th-minute substitute during a 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls.[23] On March 30, 2018, Baird scored his first professional goal, in a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC, coming on in the 70th minute, and scoring in the 82nd.[24] In May 2018, Baird won the Major League Soccer Week 11 AT&T Goal of the Week for a diving header against D.C. United.[25]

On November 5, 2018, Baird was named the MLS Rookie of the Year for the 2018 Major League Soccer season.[26]

On January 24, 2020, Baird signed a long-term contract extension with Real Salt Lake.[27]

On January 11, 2021, Baird was traded to Los Angeles FC in exchange for $500,000 General Allocation Money, spread across 2021 and 2022, a 2021 international roster spot and future considerations.[28]

Baird was a member of the U.S. under-17 squad that competed in the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama City,[29] starting all four matches. He also represented the U.S. in the United States men's national under-15, under-18 and under-20 soccer teams.

On December 20, 2018, Baird was invited to participate[30] in head coach Gregg Berhalter's first United States senior men's national soccer team camp from January 6, 2019 to February 2, 2019 in Chula Vista, CA. He made his debut on January 27, 2019 in a friendly against Panama, as a starter.[31]

Source: Corey Baird at Stanford University Men's Soccer

As of match played 9 November 2020[32]

As of Sepemtber 10, 2019.

Source: US Soccer

• NSCAA High School All-American: 2013
• First team All-Pac-12: 2016,[15] 2017[19]
• MLS Rookie of the Year: 2018[26]

• Pac-12 Conference Championship: 2014, 2015,[10] 2016,[13] 2017[17]
• NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship: 2015,[11] 2016,[14] 2017[18]