FC Dallas U.S. Open Cup 2016: Where are they now?

By Matt Coles | Aug 22, 2019

KANSAS CITY, KS - JULY 11: FC Dallas midfielder Mauro Diaz (10) in the first half of the US Open Cup quarterfinal match between FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City on July 11, 2017 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HARRISON, NJ – JUNE 23: FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) during warm ups prior to the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas on June 23, 2018, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

CM – Kellyn Acosta – Colorado Rapids (MLS)

After starting out his career as a full-back, Kellyn Acosta has gone on to become one of the best holding midfielders in MLS and is now a regular fixture of the USMNT squad. The 2016 campaign saw the midfielder play over 35 times for FC Dallas, and he was a vital part of their double-winning success that season

The American took a slightly different route to MLS compared to most, in the fact he did not go to college and then get drafted through the SuperDraft. Instead, Acosta rose up the ranks of the FC Dallas Development Academy prior to becoming a homegrown signing in 2012. He made his league debut a year later and went on to play over 120 times for the club in his five seasons there.

Acosta really came to the fore during the 2016 season, having fought back from a knee injury which had hindered his progress for the past two years. The American helped the side to success in the U.S. Open Cup and to lifting the Supporters’ Shield, as well as making his bow on the international stage.

He has played over 20 times for the USMNT and was part of their CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning team in 2017. Back at club level, Acosta made the move from Dallas to Colorado midway through the 2018 term and has become a permanent fixture of the Rapids midfield in his twelve months there since.

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