Real Salt Lake forward Corey Baird was named 2018 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year on Monday after helping lead his team to the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Homegrown attacker, and three-time NCAA national champion with Stanford University, forced his way into Mike Petke's plans this season after admitting he figured to spend most of his time with RSL's USL affiliate. Baird scored eight goals and added five assists in 31 appearances, helping lead Real Salt Lake to the teams most points since 2014.
Baird made his MLS debut off the bench in RSL's third game of the season before scoring his first goal in his second appearance, also off the bench, in a loss to Toronto FC. The performances earned Baird his first MLS start the following game, a win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The 22-year-old was tied for third on the team in goals and tied for fifth in assists, a key contributor in his first professional season. He's the first player in the club's history to win the award, beating out Philadelphia Union's Mark McKenzie and Orlando City SC's Chris Mueller.
Below is a breakdown of the voting results:
Voting Results
Nominee |
Player
Vote |
Media
Vote |
Club
Vote |
Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Corey Baird (RSL) |
40.12% |
47.84% |
43.69% |
43.88% |
Chris Mueller (ORL) |
13.47% |
13.27% |
29.13% |
18.62% |
Mark McKenzie (PHI) |
9.88% |
22.84% |
12.62% |
15.11% |
Joao Moutinho (LAFC) |
8.98% |
4.94% |
3.88% |
5.93% |
Alex Roldan (SEA) |
4.79% |
4.01% |
.97% |
3.26% |
AT&T Rookie of the Year Winners
- 2018: Corey Baird – Real Salt Lake
- 2017: Julian Gressel – Atlanta United
- 2016: Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders FC
- 2015: Cyle Larin – Orlando City SC
- 2014: Tesho Akindele – FC Dallas
- 2013: Dillon Powers – Colorado Rapids
- 2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
- 2011: CJ Sapong – Sporting Kansas City
- 2010: Andy Najar – D.C. United
- 2009: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
- 2008: Sean Franklin – LA Galaxy
- 2007: Maurice Edu – Toronto FC
- 2006: Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA
- 2005: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
- 2004: Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution
- 2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire
- 2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
- 2001: Rodrigo Faria – MetroStars
- 2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
- 1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
- 1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
- 1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
- 1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
