One day closer and we're only four days away from Christmas! Instead of four calling birds, let's take a look back at four Luciano Acosta game-winners from last season.
Acosta’s flair and talent on the ball has endeared him to Black-and-Red fans since his debut for the club on March 6, 2016. In his second year with United, Acosta settled into the heart of midfield and continued to produce performances that lifted the Black-and-Red throughout the season.
The 23-year-old concluded 2017 with five goals and earned joint custody of United's Golden Boot award with forward Patrick Mullins. The team went 5-0-0 when the Argentine maestro was on the scoresheet and FOUR of his goals served as game-winners.
2-1 win against Philadelphia Union on April 1, 2017
Acosta put himself into the spotlight after a stellar debut season in Major League Soccer and proved to be a spark plug for the United attack. Despite being only 23-years-old, Acosta showed the composure of an experienced midfielder when he coolly finished a penalty in the second match of the 2017 season against Philadelphia. The Black-and-Red took the lead from a José Guillermo Ortiz goal in the 18th minute and the home team had a chance in the 27th to add to their lead from the penalty spot after the Union were judged to have handled the ball in the box. Acosta calmly stepped up from 12 yards out and accurately laced the ball into the left corner past 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Andre Blake.
2-1 win against New York City FC on April 8, 2017
United were in search of their first win at RFK Stadium in the 2017 season when they came up against a strong New York City FC side in early April. After a goalless first half, the Black-and-Red found the back of the net when a loose defensive back pass was picked up by Lloyd Sam who slotted it past Sean Johnson in the 53rd minute. Acosta scored what proved to be the game-winner 20 minutes later after he cleverly pounced on a Johnson rebound and stabbed it into the net with a first-time half volley.
3-1 away win against Atlanta United FC on April 30, 2017
Atlanta United were the new boys in the league in 2017 but they proved to be no match for Acosta who scored two goals and recorded an assist in three games against the Expansion side. The midfielder had one of his most effective games at Bobby Dodd Stadium scoring once and recording an assist in front of 46,011 new ATL fans. After conceding a 9th minute Kenwyne Jones goal, a Michael Parkhurst own goal saw the Black-and-Red go level against their new Eastern Conference opposition. Acosta then went on a winding run in the 36th minute and ended his individual effort with a low shot into the bottom right corner to score the go-ahead-goal and lead United to a 3-1 win.
1-0 home win against New England Revolution on Aug. 26
Acosta delivered his final game-winning goal of the season against New England on Aug. 26. The two teams were locked in a stalemate for a majority of the match before Acosta found the back of the net in the 71st minute. The midfielder started the build up play from the midfield and made a delayed run into the box. Defender Kofi Opare's looping header found Acosta alone at the back post for him to volley in the game-winner against the Revolution. It was one of many gifts that Acosta brought to the nation's capital for Black-and-Red fans last season.
