When United acquired Argentine standout Luciano Acosta on loan in February of 2016, the Black-and-Red immediately received a boost in creative playmaking and attacking pace from the 22-year-old midfielder. Following a breakout 2016 season in which Acosta netted three goals and added a team-high 11 assists, United paid the largest transfer fee in club history to acquire the Argentine permanently. Now, as Acosta takes on his sophomore season with the Black-and-Red, the young star looks to play an even greater role for the team as he pulls the strings for the United attack.
“Ben, the rest of the coaching staff and I were impressed with how much Lucho grew as a player over the course of his first season in MLS,” Dave Kasper, general manager and VP of soccer operations, said of Acosta following his transfer. “His rapid development and acclimation to a new league, country, team and culture are a sure sign of things to come."
While Acosta’s nose for goal and ability to finish are major strengths, the Argentine’s skillset extends well beyond the ability to score. Acosta often builds and directs the attack for the Black-and-Red based on his ability to read the game and his creative flare. In some instances, Acosta uses his pace and foot skills to take on defenders one-v-one, dribbling past and through opponents to find the goal himself. In other cases, Acosta plays distributor, using his vision to dish incisive through balls and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Regardless of how he chooses to play the ball, Acosta has grown into the maestro of the D.C. attack, and his influence will only continue to grow this season.
A preseason ankle injury kept Acosta sidelined in United’s first two matches of the season, but the midfielder is already showing his influence in his first two games back. Acosta started in United’s matches against Columbus and Philadelphia, providing United an increase in scoring opportunities and clinically converting a penalty kick for his first goal of the season against the Union. As Acosta continues to regain his form from last year, the Black-and-Red attack becomes significantly more dangerous.
The Argentine will face his first big challenge of the season this Saturday, when United host New York City FC and fellow Argentine star Maxi Moralez. Both midfielders stand at 5’3 and don the coveted number 10 jersey, but the Argentines also play in similarly-innovative fashions, using their clever foot skills and their speed to either blow by defenders or perfectly set up their teammates. While United fell on the road to NYCFC earlier in the season, Acosta was still injured, meaning Saturday’s rematch could have a much different result should the 22-year-old play to his full strength and help in limiting compatriot Moralez.
While Acosta’s immediate impact on the Black-and-Red has included clinical goals, creative assists, and an ever-growing highlight reel of fancy footwork, his long-term influence is just as exciting—Acosta is an investment in the club’s future and will serve as one of United’s cornerstones as the club enters a new era at Audi Field.
