D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 24th week of the 2018 MLS season.
D.C. United defeated Orlando City SC 3-2 in dramatic fashion at Audi Field on Sunday, using Acosta’s first ever MLS hat trick to extend their three-game unbeaten streak. Acosta has four goals and nine assists in 18 games started this season. D.C. have compiled a 4-2-2 mark in matches where Acosta has recorded a goal or assist this season.
Acosta put D.C. on the board in first-half stoppage time, linking with Wayne Rooney on a beautiful give-and-go play in the box and dribbling past numerous defenders for a near-post finish that gave the club a 1-0 advantage. Following an Orlando equalizer, Acosta once again put D.C. ahead when he finished a Yamil Asad pass over the top of the defense with a right-footed touch in front of goal for a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute.
The 24-year-old Argentine capped his career day with a dramatic goal at the death to give D.C. a 3-2 victory and send the Audi Field crowd into a frenzy. Rooney made a terrific defensive stop near midfield and launched a long aerial pass into the box, with the 5’3” Acosta elevating to win the header over the Orlando defense and send the ball into the right side of goal to cap a tremendous performance. Acosta’s game-winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time was the latest goal scored in stoppage time to complete a hat trick in MLS history.
D.C. United return to action on Wednesday to host the Portland Timbers at Audi Field (8 p.m. ET, WJLA 24/7 News / CW Richmond / ESPN+) before another home match on Sunday against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Sports Go / FOX Deportes).
