United have had many “must-win” matches this season, and Sunday's match against New York City FC was no different. The Black-and-Red knew a win would clinch their spot in the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and would put United in a prime position to secure home-field advantage in the Knockout Round. The Black-and-Red took full advantage of the opportunity, defeating NYCFC 3-1 to punch their ticket to the postseason, and critical to that win, and many others this season, were the efforts of midfield maestro Luciano Acosta.
Acosta has been with United since 2016, and has shown flashes of his brilliance on the ball since coming to MLS, but the Argentine has completely transformed his game in the second half of the 2018 season. According to Head Coach Ben Olsen, Acosta's transformation has been aided by the freedom Wayne Rooney gives the 5’3 midfielder, and the pressure that has been lifted off his shoulders thanks to the acquisitions of other dangerous attackmen like Rooney, Paul Arriola, and Yamil Asad.
“I think it’s a big part of this," Olsen said after United's win over New York City. "We’ve always said behind the curtain that we’re asking too much of [Acosta]. We put too much pressure and too much burden on this kid. Before the bolstering of this roster, it was up to him. If he was playing at a high level, we would play at a high level. If he wasn’t, we tended to lose those games. I think Wayne has definitely taken a little pressure off of him.”
Acosta continued his hot streak on Sunday, notching a goal and an assist and passing the 10+ goals and assists mark for the season. With 10 goals and 17 assists in 2018, Acosta is only the eighth player in Black-and-Red history to record double-digit goals and assists in one year, and is the first player to reach the elite mark since Jaime Moreno last did it in 2008.
Like any professional athlete, Acosta still has the occasional off day, the difference is that now there are other people surrounding the Argentine who can help carry the team. Acosta's partnership with Rooney and Asad and Arriola's influence on the wings has redefined the D.C. United attack, which has produced 21 goals in the last ten games.
“We just enjoy playing with each other," Rooney said of his connection with Acosta. "We both play to each other’s strengths. It’s great to play with players like that because they’re always going to create chances.”
Acosta got going on Sunday by tearing through NYCFC's defense on the end line and setting up Rooney for the opening goal in the 8th minute of the match. The midfielder dribbled around three New York defenders and dropped a pass off to Rooney who was making a run into the box, allowing the forward to tap it past the goalkeeper and put United up 1-0 early.
Acosta got on to the scoresheet again when he scored his 10th goal of the season in the 24th minute to give the home side the 2-0 lead. Paul Arriola sent a ball ahead to Rooney, who collected at the top of the box but was immediately swarmed by defenders. Rooney tapped a pass back to Acosta, and the midfielder one-timed a rocket of a strike into the back of the net, earning himself an MLS Goal of the Week nomination with the score.
“It’s incredible," Rooney said of Acosta's ability to split apart opposing defenses, like he did on Sunday. "That’s what he’s been doing. He’s a fantastic player. There are not many players who can do that and as a striker, it’s easy to put yourself in position, knowing he’s going to create something like that. He’s a fantastic player.”
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid echoed Rooney's praises of Acosta, noting how the Argentine has been a gritty fighter for the Black-and-Red, refusing to back down even when opponents know to aggressively hone in on the dangerous midfielder.
“[Acosta] was outstanding," Hamid said after Sunday's win. "The second half of the season, we’ve really seen him come alive. It’s not easy for him. He gets kicked a lot, he gets zoned-in on a lot, but he keeps fighting. Even when he’s not doing too well, he keeps fighting and keeps pushing. He has those moments when he produces brilliance and today was one of them. It was a great run to feed Rooney and his finish was outstanding. So, hats off to [Acosta], hats off to all our attack, it’s been fantastic.”
Acosta has come alive just at the right time for his team, helping United complete their impressive turnaround from last place to playoffs. And if Acosta can stay hot through the Black-and-Red's playoff run, he may be the key cog that can help push United deeper in the postseason than anyone could've guessed earlier this year.
