Born in the capital of Argentina, Luciano Acosta began his career with Boca Juniors. After not breaking into the squad, he was sent on a season-long loan to DC United. He appeared in all but three matches for DCU in 2016, playing a large role in their success. Acosta scored his first goal for the club during a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution with an absurdly calm chip. He netted another against the Portland Timbers with great control. On August 7th, Lucho assisted a hat trick of goals, while also putting his third of the year past Chicago at the back post in a 6-2 win. He ended his loan stint with 3 goals and 11 assists, with DC United losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Entering the 2017 season, DC United purchased Acosta for a club record fee following his year on loan. His first season being a full member of the roster began with a goal against Philadelphia in April. He scored the lone goal against the Revs in an August victory. Lucho scored 5 times and assisted 5 times during a season in which his team was far less successful. DC finished dead last in the Eastern Conference.
In 2018, Acosta found a whole different level. He scored double-digit goals for the first time in an MLS season, while also increasing his assist numbers exponentially. He opened his account in a 2-2 draw with Houston, equalizing the match well past the allotted stoppage time. In a 3-2 win over Orlando City, he scored his first hat trick of his career. He smashed one into the far netting, then awkwardly putting a cross in through the contact. Acosta capped off the match with the famous header following the Wayne Rooney tackle and cross into the box, which won DC the game. In September, DC United defeated Atlanta United on the back of an Acosta brace. He dished out another 3 assists in a 5-0 thrashing of Montreal. He added another goal, placing it towards the back stick. The 17 goal and 11 assist season earned Luciano Acosta a spot on the 2018 MLS Best XI. DCU finished fourth and made the postseason, but it was another first round exit via Columbus.
Acosta was probably disappointed with his 2019 drop off compared to the previous season. On opening day, things looked bright with a goal and assist while hosting Atlanta. He scored in two consecutive games, one during a 3-3 draw with Chicago, the other a rebound in a 1-1 draw against the Earthquakes. After such a down year, Luciano Acosta took an MLS gap year. He chose probably the best year to leave for, missing the 2020 pandemic season. He transferred to Atlas to play one season in Mexico. He would return to the United States quite soon.
On March 17, 2021, Luciano Acosta returned to MLS by signing with expansion side FC Cincinnati. The first years of the club were painful, and he wanted to change that. His re-entrance into the league showed a whole different player. He had showed flashes in DC, but it was a new story. Acosta became a key contributor immediately, scoring a debut goal against Nashville SC, clipping it over Joe Willis and finishing the move. In the Hell is Real Derby with Columbus, he scored a curler and assisted another later on. His final goal of the season came against the Fire in a 4-3 loss. FC Cincinnati won their third straight Wooden Spoon in 2021, but that form would shift in the coming years.
With some added help in the squad, Acosta became a monster in 2022. Cincinnati's first good year as an MLS team saw him at the forefront. Cincy's No. 10 scored his first of the season in another 4-3 loss to Montreal. They were the must-see ticket in MLS, with guaranteed entertainment every game. He scored in three consecutive fixtures in April, including goals in back-to-back matches versus Toronto FC. Once again, he notched a triple-assist day in a 3-1 win over the Union. In each of the final two matches of the regular season, he found the back of the net. His Decision Day tap-in from a Brandon Vazquez headed cross against his former club led to a 5-3 win. He opted not to celebrate at Audi Field. After finishing fourth place, Cincy visited the Red Bulls and won 2-1 in the first round with an Acosta equalizing penalty kick. The road ended at the hands of Philadelphia. Acosta made his second Best XI, the 2022 MLS All-Star Team and led the league in assists. His final tallies sat at 10 goals and 19 assists.
At last, Acosta molded into his MVP form in 2023. All of the bright moments he displayed previously led to an incredible campaign, which is still actively going on. It took him seven games to net his first goal, scoring an important one to beat Philadelphia. During a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Crew at TQL Stadium, the captain added another pair of goals. He scored in the box on the first-time, before putting another away before the first half had expired. Acosta began to ramp up the scoring, with 3 goals in June and 4 in July. In a preview of the first round playoff matchup, he scored on RBNY to snatch another three points. Lucho played one half of the MLS All-Star Game.
He scored a goal to help win a Leagues Cup game with Sporting Kansas City, though Nashville ended their run in that tournament. In the US Open Cup, Inter Miami sent the Orange and Blue home despite another goal from their main man. In September, he added the 2023 MLS Goal of the Year to his collection, in which he dribbled essentially the entire Charlotte FC defense en route to an astonishing solo goal planted in the top corner. On Decision Day, he finished off the regular season by scoring a rare header and assisting while hosting Atlanta.
Cincinnati won the Supporters' Shield with 69 points. He finished with an impeccable 17 goals and 14 assists. These numbers are set to win Acosta the 2023 MLS MVP Award on Monday, November 27th. His focus, though, is solely on the playoffs. He scored a goal by picking out a wide open goal from distance after a poor giveaway, and assisted another in game one of the best-of-3 series with the playoff rematch against the New York Red Bulls. In game two, he assisted the late Aaron Boupendza goal, before converting his penalty to help sweep the series in a shootout. This sets up an Eastern Conference Semis matchup with the Philadelphia Union tomorrow, Nov. 25, at the time of writing. FCC will look to extend their historic season with a huge playoff win. Their captain, playmaker, and MVP will undoubtedly at the forefront. The 2023 season has shown exactly why Luciano Acosta ranks at #16.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
2023 | FCC | 2,612 | 17 | 14 |
2022 | FCC | 2,499 | 10 | 19 |
2021 | FCC | 2,695 | 7 | 10 |
2019 | DC | 2,119 | 6 | 2 |
2018 | DC | 2,753 | 10 | 17 |
2017 | DC | 2,419 | 5 | 5 |
2016 | DC | 2,109 | 3 | 11 |
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