GOAL Convo: The striker has enjoyed a breakout season for the Union, and has continued to score as Philadelphia pushes for MLS Cup
Tai Baribo was scared. He was in Israel representing his national team, traveling back home simply to play football. A lingering calf injury kept him away from the squad, but he elected to travel to his native land, anyway.
And then the conflict escalatedIsrael and Iran, missiles fired back and forth. It was late June, and the embassies and airports were shuttered. Baribo had nowhere to go.
“And because of the war, the embassy got closed. And also, the border, so there were no flights. I was stuck there for almost for two weeks. It was tough for me, no training, because you can’t go out. Also, there are alarms all the time. It was scary,” Baribo told GOAL.
It certainly brought things into perspective, especially in the scope of what has been an excellent season for the forward. When Baribo finally made it back back, had to undergo something of a reset.
Still, this remains his best season in America yet. Baribo has scored 15 goals in MLS. He was named to the All-Star squad – and also found the net in that game. Football has never been better, but there are reminders that some things are bigger than what happens on the pitch.
Baribo discussed the Union’s improvement, his goalscoring nous and the tense moments in Israel in the latest GOAL Convoa Q&A with central figures in the American soccer scene.
NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
