D.C. United has finalized a year-long loan for Argentinian midfielder Lucas Rodríguez from Club Estudiantes de la Plata. The Black-and-Red’s newest member has already shared the field with one of the team’s most dynamic players, Luciano Acosta.
The two spent time together at Estudiantes during the 14/15 Primera División season. Acosta was on loan from Boca Juniors and Rodríguez had spent time with the Estudiantes U-20 team until he was called up on July 11, 2015, for a game against San Martín. While Acosta and Rodríguez were on the first team roster they did not play together that day as Acosta was substituted in the 73rd-minute and Rodriguez entered the game in the 78th.
On July 21, 2015, Estudiantes took on Crucero and both, Acosta and Rodríguez spent 10 minutes on the pitch together after Acosta was subbed on in the 80th minute. Just a few games later on Sept. 8, 2015, against Aldosivi, Rodríguez scored his first goal for Estudiantes in the 28th minute at the age of 18. The youngster got on the end of a cross from the right-wing and used his left foot to find the back of the net. Acosta was a part of the on-field celebration.
Four games later, Estudiantes played CA Sarmiento on Oct. 3, 2015. Rodríguez played the full 90 as Acosta started on the bench. Acosta was subbed on in the 60th minute of the match and it took 60 seconds for the pair to make an impact. Rodriguez was hauled down in the box for a penalty kick.
Acosta went on to bury the spot kick for the lone goal as Estudiantes went on to win the contest, 1-0.
Rodríguez and Acosta would produce in back-to-back games for the first time in their careers against Quilmes just a few days later. Estudiantes had a 3-1 lead over their challengers. Estudiantes continued to pressure their opponent and search for a fourth goal. Acosta received the ball on the left flank and fed a well-placed lobbed pass across the field to Rodríguez who weaved around the goalie and finished his third of the season.
While the chemistry steadily built between the two Argentinian attackers during Acosta’s brief period with Estudiantes, Acosta's offensive abilities have reached new levels playing alongside Wayne Rooney in 2018. The like-minded midfielders are expected to do great things together in the District in the upcoming 2019 season.
