Luciano Acosta

Argentine footballer

Luciano Acosta

Acosta with FC Cincinnati in 2023

Personal information
Full name|  Luciano Federico Acosta
Date of birth|  (1994-05-31) 31 May 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth|  Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height|  1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Position(s)|  Attacking midfielder
Team information

Current team

|  FC Cincinnati
Number|  10
Youth career
|  Comunicaciones
2007–2014|  Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2014–2016|  Boca Juniors|  25|  (2)
2015|  → Estudiantes (loan)|  27|  (1)
2016|  → D.C. United (loan)|  31|  (3)
2017–2019|  D.C. United|  95|  (21)
2020–2021|  Atlas|  33|  (3)
2021–|  FC Cincinnati|  117|  (45)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 July 2024

Luciano Federico "Lucho" Acosta (born 31 May 1994) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati.

## Career

[edit]

### Boca Juniors

[edit]

Acosta made his professional debut for Boca Juniors on 9 February 2014, when Boca tied against Newell's Old Boys, replacing Juan Manuel Martínez for the 2014 Final.[1] Acosta appeared in the Xeneizes as a starter throughout the 2014 Torneo Final.

### D.C. United

[edit]

In 2016, Acosta went on a season-long loan to D.C. United of Major League Soccer. Acosta made his competitive debut on in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Queretaro. He scored his first goal for D.C. United in the 86th minute of a league game against the New England Revolution on 23 April.

After the 2016 season, D.C. United purchased Acosta's contract outright for a club record fee.[2] He scored his first professional hat-trick on 13 August 2018 when playing for D.C. United against Orlando City and the match ended 3–2 in favor of D.C. United.[3] On 21 October 2018, Acosta provided an assist for Wayne Rooney following an outstanding dribble, and also scored himself in a 3–1 win over New York City FC which secured a play-off spot in the MLS Cup for D.C. United.[4]

Since Wayne Rooney's arrival to D.C. United, Luciano and Wayne developed a good chemistry together in the field and provided goals and assists to each other. Their chemistry made them to be considered to one of the best duos in all of MLS.[citation needed] D.C. United fans nicknamed their duo "Luchoroo".[5]

Before the 2019 season, Acosta was very close to sign for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. Sources said the offer to D.C. United was under US$10 million and Acosta was scheduled to arrive at Paris for his medical.[6] In the 2019 MLS Season, Acosta's form was declining,[citation needed] and was starting to get pushed out of the first team. After the 2019 season, Acosta's contract with D.C. United ended. He played his last game for D.C. on 19 October 2019, in a MLS playoff game against Toronto FC. On 12 November 2019, Acosta told an Argentine radio channel, 'La Mano de Dios', that former D.C. teammate Wayne Rooney told him he wanted to bring him to Derby County, where Rooney was going to become player-coach in 2020.[7] Acosta left D.C. United at the end of the 2019 season when his contract expired.[8][9]

### Atlas

[edit]

On 19 December 2019, it was announced that Acosta would join Liga MX side Atlas on 1 January 2020.[10][11][12] Acosta scored his first goal for Atlas against Tijuana on 31 January 2020.[13]

### FC Cincinnati

[edit]

Acosta celebrates after scoring a goal in September 2023.

On 17 March 2021, Acosta returned to Major League Soccer, joining FC Cincinnati on a three-year deal as a designated player. FC Cincinnati acquired his MLS rights from D.C. United in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money plus potential future incentives.[14] He made his debut for the club on 17 April 2021 in their opener against Nashville SC. He scored in the 8th minute as FC Cincinnati drew 2–2 away.[15]

He won the MLS MVP for the 2023 season.

## Personal life

[edit]

Acosta holds a U.S. green card, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[16]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 20 July 2024[17]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | National cup  | Continental  | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Boca Juniors | 2013–14 | Argentine Primera División | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 2
2014 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | — | 12 | 0
Total  | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2
Estudiantes (loan)  | 2015 | Argentine Primera División  | 27 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7[b] | 1 | — | 38 | 2
D.C. United (loan)  | 2016 | MLS | 31 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 35 | 3
D.C. United  | 2017 | MLS  | 31 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 5
2018 | 33 | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 36 | 11
2019 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 1[d] | 0 | 34 | 6
Total  | 126 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 137 | 25
Atlas | 2019–20 | Liga MX | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 1
2020–21 | 23 | 2 | — | — | — | 23 | 2
Total  | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3
FC Cincinnati | 2021 | MLS  | 31 | 7 | — | — | — | 31 | 7
2022 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | 3[e] | 1 | 34 | 11
2023 | 32 | 17 | 5 | 1 | — | 7[f] | 3 | 44 | 21
2024 | 24 | 11 | — | 4[c] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 12
Total  | 117 | 45 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 138 | 51
Career total  | 328 | 75 | 17 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 374 | 83

1. ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
2. ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
3. ^ a b Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
5. ^ Two appearances and one goal in MLS Cup Playoffs, one appearance in 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase
6. ^ Four appearances and two goals in MLS Cup Playoffs, three appearances and one goal in Leagues Cup

## Honours

[edit]

FC Cincinnati

* Supporters' Shield: 2023

Individual

* MLS Best XI: 2018,[18] 2022,[19] 2023[20]
* MLS All-Star: 2022,[21] 2023,[22] 2024
* MLS Player of the Month: September 2018,[23] June 2022,[24] July 2023,[25] August 2023,[26] May 2024[27]
* MLS Goal of the Year: 2023[28]
* MLS Most Valuable Player: 2023[29]
* MLS top assist provider: 2022[30]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Boca no pudo quebrar el cero y empató con Newell's en Rosario". la Gaceta. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
2. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (16 November 2016). "D.C. United acquire Luciano Acosta in record deal". ESPN. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
3. ^ "United finalize transfer for Luciano Acosta with largest transfer fee in club history". D.C. United. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
4. ^ "DC United 3, New York City FC 1 - 2018 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
5. ^ "It's Luchoroo Round 2 for D.C. United: Acosta, Rooney duo returns to MLS". Orlando Sentinel. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
6. ^ "D.C. United star Luciano Acosta not making move to PSG - sources". ESPN. 31 January 2019.
7. ^ Thorogood, Tom (12 November 2019). "DC United's Luciano Acosta says Wayne Rooney has told him to sign for Derby County". Derby County News. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
8. ^ "D.C. United have announced that 16 players are under contract for the 2020 MLS season". D.C. United.
9. ^ "Thank You Luciano Acosta". D.C. United.
10. ^ "Atlas FC". www.atlasfc.com.mx.
11. ^ "Ex-DC United man Luciano Acosta signs with Atlas of Liga MX | MLSsoccer.com".
12. ^ "Luciano Acosta (DC United) signs for Atlas FC". football-news24.com. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
13. ^ Quillen, Ian (1 February 2020). "Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta each hit Friday night belters for their new clubs". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
14. ^ "FCC acquire Luciano Acosta as a Designated Player | FC Cincinnati".
15. ^ "Nashville SC 2–2 FC Cincinnati". Soccerway.
16. ^ "Luciano Acosta obtains permanent residence in US with Green Card". DCUnited.com. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
17. ^ Luciano Acosta at Soccerway
18. ^ "2018 MLS Best XI". Major League Soccer. 11 November 2018.
19. ^ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
20. ^ "2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
21. ^ "2022 MLS All-Star Game Roster". Major League Soccer. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
22. ^ "2023 MLS All-Star Team Roster". Major League Soccer. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
23. ^ "DC United's Luciano Acosta named September MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
24. ^ "FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta named June Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
25. ^ "FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta named MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
26. ^ "FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta named MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
27. ^ "FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta named MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
28. ^ "FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta wins 2023 AT&T 5G MLS Goal of the Year". Major League Soccer. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
29. ^ "FC Cincinnati's Luciano Acosta named 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP". Major League Soccer. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
30. ^ "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Assists". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Luciano Acosta at Soccerway

* v
* t
* e

FC Cincinnati - current squad

* 1 Kann
* 2 Powell
* 4 Hagglund
* 5 Nwobodo
* 6 Awaziem
* 7 Kubo
* 9 Boupendza
* 10 Acosta
* 11 Baird
* 12 Robinson
* 14 Keller
* 15 Halsey
* 17 Santos
* 18 Celentano
* 19 Kelsy
* 20 Bucha
* 21 Miazga
* 22 Valenzuela
* 23 Orellano
* 26 Pinto
* 27 Asad
* 32 Murphy
* 33 Foster
* 34 Aghedo
* 36 Louro
* 37 Jimenez
* 91 Yedlin

* Head Coach: Noonan
* Assistant Coach: Kinnear
* Assistant Coach: Arena
* Goalkeeping Coach: Rogers

Awards

* v
* t
* e

2018 MLS Best XI

* GK: Steffen
* DF: Lawrence
* DF: Long
* DF: Marshall
* MF: Acosta
* MF: Almirón
* MF: Piatti
* MF: Vela
* FW: Ibrahimović
* FW: Martínez
* FW: Rooney

* v
* t
* e

2022 MLS Best XI

* GK: Blake
* DF: Glesnes
* DF: Wagner
* DF: Zimmerman
* MF: Acosta
* MF: Driussi
* MF: Gazdag
* MF: Mukhtar
* FW: Ferreira
* FW: Vázquez
* FW: Vela

* v
* t
* e

2023 MLS Best XI

* GK: Bürki
* DF: Miazga
* DF: Parker
* DF: Zimmerman
* MF: Acosta
* MF: Almada
* MF: Herrera
* MF: Mukhtar
* FW: Bouanga
* FW: Giakoumakis
* FW: Hernández

* v
* t
* e

Landon Donovan MVP Award

* 1996: Valderrama
* 1997: Preki
* 1998: Etcheverry
* 1999: Kreis
* 2000: Meola
* 2001: Pineda Chacón
* 2002: Ruiz
* 2003: Preki
* 2004: Guevara
* 2005: Twellman
* 2006: Gómez
* 2007: Emílio
* 2008: Barros Schelotto
* 2009: Donovan
* 2010: Ferreira
* 2011: De Rosario
* 2012: Wondolowski
* 2013: Magee
* 2014: Keane
* 2015: Giovinco
* 2016: Villa
* 2017: Valeri
* 2018: Martínez
* 2019: Vela
* 2020: Pozuelo
* 2021: Gil
* 2022: Mukhtar
* 2023: Acosta

* v
* t
* e

MLS Goal of the Year Award

* 1996: Wynalda
* 1997: Etcheverry
* 1998: McBride
* 1999: Etcheverry
* 2000: Balboa
* 2001: Mathis
* 2002: Ruiz
* 2003: Ralph
* 2004: De Rosario
* 2005: De Rosario
* 2006: Ching
* 2007: Blanco
* 2008: Johnson
* 2009: Donovan
* 2010: Pappa
* 2011: Nagbe
* 2012: Ianni
* 2013: Sanvezzo
* 2014: Martins
* 2015: Németh
* 2016: Gashi
* 2017: Villalba
* 2018: Ibrahimović
* 2019: Martínez
* 2020: Nagbe
* 2021: Rubin
* 2022: Martínez
* 2023: Acosta

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template