With four games left in United’s season, the Black-and-Red sit just two points outside of the final playoff spot with a chance to make some real noise. United's rise, in large part, has been due to the efforts of midfield maestro Luciano Acosta, who leads MLS in assists with 16 on the year.
In September, Acosta powered United with four goals and six assists in five matches on his way to earning MLS' Player of the Month award. Along with his Black-and-Red teammates, Acosta has helped insert United into the playoff conversation. His dominant performances are also helping him insert his name into another conversation: MLS’ Most Valuable Player discussion.
The case for the 2018 MLS MVP award has mostly centered around Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez, and for good reason. Martinez leads the league in goals with 30, breaking MLS' single-season record, and is a key piece of Atlanta’s attack. But when considering the entirety of his team contributions, and his clutch performances in the Black-and-Red's playoff push, there is a case to be made for Acosta.
Entering Sunday’s match against the Chicago Fire, Acosta has, through both goals and assists, contributed to 47.2% of United’s 53 goals this season. The Argentinian also leads the league in assists per 90 minutes at 0.63, higher than Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron, the New York Red Bull’s Kaku, and Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco.
While strikers like Martinez and LA’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic lead Acosta in goals by a sizeable margin, Acosta has shined as the main creative fulcrum for the Black-and-Red, producing both goals and favorable chances for his teammates. When it comes to chances created, Acosta’s 50 is better than Martinez, Ibrahimovic, and Bradley Wright-Phillips' totals.
Acosta’s latest goal-scoring tear has also put him on the verge of reaching the 10+ goal, 10+ assists milestone, a feat that has not been accomplished by a United player since Black-and-Red legend Jamie Moreno last did it 2004. He has also placed himself in position to shatter another United record—Acosta is only three assists away from breaking Marco Etcheverry’s single-season assist record of 19. Reaching the 19 assist mark would also tie Acosta for the third-most assists in a single season in MLS history.
More importantly, Acosta has risen to the occasion during a time when the Black-and-Red have needed him the most in their push to the playoffs. Since the All-Star break, Acosta has dominated the competition in goals (8), assists (8), assists per game (0.73) and chances created (26). From the All-Star break on, Acosta has led Martinez, Almiron, Ibrahimovic and Wright-Phillips in all four categories.
In the 11 total games since the break, the Argentine has also scored or contributed to 16 of the Black-and-Red’s 24 goals, approximately 66.7% of their total offensive output. That level of production has shown in the win column, where United are 6-0-2 when Acosta scores or contributes to a goal.
Included in those wins was what could be the defining moment of United's 2018 campaign. Acosta's game-winner against Orlando City, known simply as "The Tackle" then "The Goal," not only capped off a first career hat trick for Acosta—it put United's season back on track and provided a truly viral moment that grabbed the attention of the world.
Acosta has been a driving force for the Black-and-Red, and should they make the playoffs, it will be because of his contributions.
Critics may say that Acosta has benefitted from the arrival of Rooney to D.C., and while any player would benefit from lining up alongside a world-class talent, Rooney himself has noted that Acosta has the individual talent to dominate the league.
“I think everyone can see the talent and the ability he has. I think he has just been clinical," Rooney said. "I keep asking him after every game how many goals he has scored, and I think he is starting to enjoy scoring goals. You know it is not easy sometimes from that position but he is a fantastic player with all the ability.”
Prior to Rooney’s arrival, Acosta was already leading the team in assists with nine, and helped fuel players like Darren Mattocks to career years in scoring. Though United struggled over their long road trip before opening Audi Field, the Argentine was a steady presence in midfield who has found another gear down the stretch of the season.
“It’s just what he’s been doing lately. He was the same handful throughout and now he’s added maturity to his game defensively,” Head Coach Ben Olsen said after United’s 3-3 draw against the New York Red Bulls, another match in which Acosta lit up the scoreboard. “He’s obviously sparked a good relationship with Wayne [Rooney] and now he’s finishing out plays…whether that’s the final ball or scoring goals himself. He’s evolved over the last two months and it’s been a real joy to watch.”
That evolution has been key to the Black-and-Red’s resurgence, and it's an evolution that could see Acosta gain more and more recognition in the ongoing MLS MVP conversation during the final month of the regular season.
