:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50786487/usa-today-9503004.0.jpg)
Just before D.C. United game against the New York Red Bulls, United fans got a welcome bit of good news, per the Washington Post’s Steve Goff:
D.C. United has begun talks w Boca Juniors to retain MF @LuchoAcosta94, who is on loan. #DCU has option to buy. Meeting likely next month
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) September 11, 2016
After tantalizing us in the first half of the season, Acosta has easily become D.C. United’s most important offensive player in the second half of this season. His absence today was sorely felt, and he brings a new dynamic to United that they haven’t had in years.
Despite our worries and our jokes, Erick Thohir might not actually have to pull out as much of his checkbook as we think in order to bring Luciano Acosta back to D.C. United next year. United well get, in addition to what they haven’t already spent, another dose of Targeted Allocation Money; that special money that MLS has been injecting into times is being doled out in chunks over a five year period. In addition, United will get $800,000 in TAM in 2017, which seems perfect for a transfer fee. Hopefully both sides can make this work out