Corey Baird Bio
Corey Jacob Baird (born January 30, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club San Diego FC. Standing 178 centimeters tall, the left-footed attacker is known for his work rate, intelligent movement off the ball, and ability to contribute goals and assists across a variety of attacking roles.
A product of the American youth system, Baird rose to prominence through a decorated college career at Stanford University before establishing himself in Major League Soccer. Over the course of his professional career, he has represented multiple MLS clubs, earned Rookie of the Year honors, and appeared for the United States men’s national soccer team.
Early Life and Background
Corey Jacob Baird was born on January 30, 1996, in Escondido, California, United States. Escondido is located roughly 20 miles from San Diego, and the Southern California region provided an early foundation for his development as a soccer player. The area’s climate and competitive youth soccer culture helped shape his early years in the sport.
Baird began his youth career with FC Heat, where he played from 2002 to 2004. He then moved to the San Diego Surf, where he played from 2005 through 2012. He finished his youth career with Real Salt Lake AZ, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy team affiliated with Real Salt Lake, competing in the Development Academy from 2010 through 2014.
From 2008 through 2014, Baird participated in the Cal-South Olympic Development Program and various United States Youth National Teams. In August 2011, he was invited to attend the United States under-17 Residency Program, hosted at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he remained through 2013. He later represented the United States at the under-14, under-15, under-18, under-20, and under-23 levels.
Path to Professional Soccer
On February 6, 2013, Baird signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Stanford University. In his freshman year with the Stanford Cardinal, he appeared in all 19 matches, making 14 starts in midfield, and helped lead the program to its first Pac-12 men’s soccer championship since 2001. He was twice named Pac-12 Player of the Week during the conference season and earned second team All-Pac-12 recognition.
During his sophomore year, Baird started all 23 matches, helping Stanford defend its Pac-12 men’s soccer championship and win its first NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. He was named to the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament team. In his junior year, he appeared in all 23 matches, making 22 starts, and helped the Cardinal claim a third consecutive Pac-12 title while defending the national championship.
In his senior year, Baird appeared in 18 matches with 16 starts at forward, helping Stanford win a fourth straight Pac-12 championship and a third consecutive NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. He completed his Stanford career tied for third all-time in career assists while also scoring 16 goals. Following college, he signed as a Homegrown Player with Real Salt Lake on January 5, 2018.
Corey Baird Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Baird made his Real Salt Lake debut on March 17, 2018, as a 66th-minute substitute during a 1–0 win over the New York Red Bulls. He was briefly sent to the Real Monarchs, Real Salt Lake’s USL affiliate, where he scored in a 3–2 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks. He scored his first MLS goal for Real Salt Lake on March 30 in a 3–1 loss to Toronto FC. On May 12, 2018, he scored on a diving header in a 3–2 win against D.C. United, a goal later named MLS Goal of the Week.
He finished his rookie MLS regular season with 31 appearances, eight goals, and five assists, helping Real Salt Lake finish sixth in the Western Conference and qualify for the playoffs. His performances earned him the MLS Rookie of the Year award. In 2019, he recorded five goals and four assists across 31 appearances as Real Salt Lake finished third in the West.
Real Salt Lake Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Baird’s debut season with Real Salt Lake marked his arrival as a regular MLS contributor. After helping the club reach the Western Conference semi-finals in 2018, he continued to feature prominently the following year, scoring twice against Sporting Kansas City in a 2–1 win on August 10, 2019, an effort that earned him a spot on the MLS Team of the Week. He also scored in a 3–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC later that month.
On January 24, 2020, Baird signed a contract extension with Real Salt Lake. After the first two games of the 2020 season, the MLS season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When play resumed, he started all three group stage matches of the MLS is Back Tournament and recorded an assist. In a shortened season, he appeared in 21 of 23 possible games, scoring twice and recording four assists.
Los Angeles FC (2021)
On January 11, 2021, Baird was traded to Los Angeles FC in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money, a 2021 international roster spot, and future considerations. He made his LAFC debut on April 14 against Austin FC, scoring the opener in a 2–0 victory. On May 1, he scored to give LAFC a 1–1 draw with the Houston Dynamo. Across his short stint with the club, he totaled three goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
Houston Dynamo Era (2021–2023)
On July 30, 2021, after just seven months with Los Angeles FC, Baird was traded to the Houston Dynamo for $750,000 in allocation money and an international slot. He made his Dynamo debut on July 31, 2021, coming off the bench in a 0–0 draw against Real Salt Lake. He scored his first MLS goal for Houston on August 27, 2022, in a 2–1 loss to Minnesota United FC, and ended that season with 23 appearances, 2 goals, and 4 assists in MLS play, plus 2 appearances and a goal in the U.S. Open Cup.
The 2023 season proved a career-best for Baird with Houston. He scored in every competition for the club, including a run to the round of 16 in Leagues Cup, an Open Cup title, a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference, and an appearance in the Conference Finals.
FC Cincinnati (2024–2025)
On January 11, 2024, FC Cincinnati signed Corey Baird to a contract through 2025 with an option for 2026. During his time in Cincinnati, he contributed as a versatile attacker in Major League Soccer play.
San Diego FC Era (2025–Present)
On August 6, 2025, FC Cincinnati traded Baird to MLS expansion side San Diego FC for $100,000 in allocation money. The move brought the winger back to Southern California, near where he grew up, as he joined a new MLS franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Baird is regarded as a tireless worker on both sides of the ball, combining intelligent off-the-ball runs with the ability to deliver in the final third. His comfort across the front line allows coaches to deploy him as a winger, a second striker, or a central forward depending on tactical needs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Baird’s signature early moment came on May 12, 2018, when his diving header against D.C. United was named MLS Goal of the Week. He earned the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2018, helped Stanford win three consecutive NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championships, and made his United States senior debut on January 27, 2019, in a friendly against Panama.
Corey Baird International Career
On December 20, 2018, Corey Baird was invited to participate in head coach Gregg Berhalter’s first United States senior men’s national soccer team camp, held from January 6 to February 2, 2019, in Chula Vista, California. He made his senior international debut on January 27, 2019, in a friendly against Panama, starting the match. Earlier in his career, he represented the United States at the under-14, under-15, under-17, under-18, under-20, and under-23 levels, and was a member of the U.S. under-17 squad that competed in the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama City, starting all four matches.
Corey Baird Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Corey Jacob Baird was raised in Escondido, California, and developed as a player through Southern California youth soccer programs. Public information regarding his immediate family remains limited.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Corey Baird as a member of FC Cincinnati, where he remained under contract following his January 2024 deal. On August 6, 2025, he was traded to expansion side San Diego FC for $100,000 in allocation money, returning to Southern California as a new MLS franchise built its roster.
The trade marked a fresh chapter for Baird, who joined San Diego FC during the latter portion of the 2025 MLS campaign. His versatility as a winger and forward gave the expansion club an experienced attacking option as it continued to shape its inaugural roster.
Heading into the close of 2025, Baird’s outlook centered on establishing himself as a reliable contributor for San Diego FC while leveraging his familiarity with the region. His track record across multiple MLS stops, combined with his senior national team experience, positioned him as a veteran presence within a young and developing squad.