Lucho Acosta came bearing gifts this season with 10 spectacular goals and 17 assists, becoming only the fifth player in United's history to record 10+ goals and assists in a single regular season. Additionally, he brought joy to the Black-and-Red supporters like Santa Claus does to kids on Christmas by giving us D.C. United’s best goal of the season with his game-winning header on August 12 against Orlando. Guiding the sleigh with an assist that night was his partner in crime Wayne Rooney; the striker tracked back and tackled the Lions' attacker to prevent an open-net goal, dribbled across midfield, and sent a flawless cross to Acosta for the last-second win.
The Argentine was one assist short of crowning himself with the MLS' assist-leader spot for the year. Besides being responsible for the game-winning goals against Orlando in August, he also tallied game-winning goals against Atlanta in September, and game-winning assists against Columbus in April, Colorado in July, and Minnesota in September.
It came as no surprise when Acosta’s inclusion on the Major League Soccer's Best XI for 2018 was announced. Throughout the year he conquered MLS Team of the Week honors, MLS Goal of the Week honors, MLS Player of the Week honors, and MLS Player of the Month honors. The midfielder was crucial for United's turnaround, which saw them go from the very bottom of the table to securing the 4th place in the Eastern Conference, allowing the Black-and-Red to host an Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoff match in the inaugural season of Audi Field.
Acosta has only been a part of D.C. United’s family for three years but he’s already conquered a spot in the hearts of the Black-and-Red supporters. 2018 was an epic year for the midfield maestro Luciano Acosta, and as the holidays remind us of our ancestor's traditions, Lucho’s magic on the field will be recorded in our memories for years to come, with the stories behind what he brought to the District will be passed along for generations.
