D.C. United: Losing Luciano Acosta a crushing but necessary blow
Luciano Acosta is reportedly the subject of a $10 million offer from Paris Saint-Germain. For that fee, it is a crushing but necessary blow for D.C. United.
Editor’s Note: This piece was written Thursday morning at 06:45
It was a remarkable late-season run for D.C. United. After stumbling out the blocks severely, leading to many fans calling for Ben Olsen’s head, they recovered in the latter half of the year, reeling off 11 wins in their final 17 games.
The summer arrival of Wayne Rooney obviously had a lot to do with that. He is a brilliant footballer and automatically became one of the best strikers in MLS. He was not nominated for league MVP on a whim.
Related Story. D.C. United: Wayne Rooney right about Luciano Acosta. light
But there were others who played a key part in D.C. United’s revival, one of them being attacking midfielder, Luciano Acosta, who Rooney developed a blistering connection with.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Acosta was sensational for D.C. He assisted a team-high 17 goals, second only to Boreck Dokal in all of MLS, added another 10 of his own. Moreover, 19 of those 27 direct involvements in a goal came after Rooney’s arrival and during the D.C. resurgence in the second half of the season. D.C. lost just two games all year that Acosta either scored or assisted in. The Argentine was integral to the D.C. resurrection.
It was this late-season surge that has excited many fans for next season. They saw a team that ended the year as one of the elite forces in MLS. If it wasn’t for penalties, a renowned lottery, they may have made a deeper push in the playoffs. And the Acosta-Rooney tandem is a key motivator for the anticipation of the year to come.
It is sad news, then, for D.C. United supporters to hear of a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain for Acosta. According to reports on Wednesday night, PSG made a $10 million offer, with the 25-year-old being excused from preseason camp to fly to the French capital and finalise a potential European move.
If Acosta were to leave, it would be a crushing blow for a D.C. team ready for the new season. Olsen was re-signed to a new contract, Rooney was bullishly claiming that a title and nothing else was the goal of the campaign, and fans were beginning to grow in expectation and not just hope. Losing someone who contributed to nearly 30 goals and has 33 assists across three seasons is hardly ideal preparation.
And yet, a $10 million fee is nothing to be baulked at. Yes, Acosta is a rising player with great potential. And yes, I am sure D.C. want to keep ahold of him. But sometimes, money talks. Prior to this offseason, only Alphonso Davies had been sold for more, and that only came in last summer. Acosta would be one of the most lucrative sales in MLS history. That is difficult to turn down.
Next. Minnesota United: 3 pros and cons of Ike Opara trade. dark
And so, for D.C., we hit the problem: a crushing but necessary blow. Nobody wants to see Acosta leave, but sometimes, the money is just too good.