The ripple results of 2023 Main League Soccer MVP Lucho Acosta going from FC Cincinnati to FC Dallas are important.
Within the straight cash-for-player deal for Acosta, introduced Wednesday, Cincinnati will obtain $5 million assured and will stand up to an extra $1 million if sure performance-based metrics are achieved, the MLS announced.
After months of hypothesis, Acosta leaves a profitable workforce (third within the Jap Convention final season) for a workforce that struggled final season (eleventh within the Western Convention) and entered the offseason in dire straits.
Here is how the deal impacts three groups:
FC Dallas: Provides Lucho Acosta
With the Chicago Fireplace and San Jose Earthquakes anchoring the bottoms of their respective conferences, Dallas bought a little bit of a free go in 2024, nevertheless it entered the offseason in dire straits. It confronted extra photographs — 211 — than simply about anybody else in MLS final season and completed nicely outdoors the playoffs (solely 41 factors).
The one vibrant spot for Dallas heading into 2025 was Croatian striker Petar Musa. The designated participant grew into MLS over the course of 2024 and appeared just like the form of participant Dallas might construct round.
At 6-foot-3, Musa (16 targets in 2024) was already an aerial menace within the penalty field. However how way more can he obtain with assist from the quick, inventive and assist-driven Acosta?
Acosta’s arrival ought to basically shift Dallas’ entrance line and unlock Musa’s goalscoring potential. Acosta led the league in assists in 2024 with 20. If he delivers the identical form of numbers in 2025, he’ll carry Dallas into the Western Convention playoffs all by himself.
