September was a big month in many ways for D.C. United, and today, it was capped off today when MLS announced that Luciano Acosta was named Player of the Month. In five games during September, Acosta, who has hit new heights with the arrival of Wayne Rooney, recorded four goals and six assists. His marvelous month was capped off last weekend in United’s must win game against the Montreal Impact, in which Acosta scored the game winning goal, and provided three second half assists in a 5-0 romp.
With 9 goals and 16 assists so far this season, Acosta has already cleared his career highs for both through 29 games. In fact, coming into the season, Acosta had just 8 goals and 16 assists in two seasons with the Black-and-Red. His three assist day against the Impact, in which United moved within two points of the final playoff spot, moved Acosta into the league lead for helpers this year.
There was no stopping @LuchoAcosta94 in September!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 4, 2018
The @dcunited man is the @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Month. pic.twitter.com/x2gY14b3sq
Acosta had two goals in United’s first game of the month, when he netted tallies on either side of halftime as the Black-and-Red took down Atlanta United at Audi Field 3-1. At Yankee Stadium against New York City FC, Acosta had his quietest game of the month, as Rooney and Steven Birnbaum connected on United’s only goal in a 1-1 draw.
Against Minnesota United though, Acosta provided two second half assists as D.C. came from behind to win 2-1, in a game they had to be victorious. A couple of days later, Acosta set up Paul Arriola’s opener against the New York Red Bulls, before scoring what could have been a late winner, ass United had to settle for a 3-3 draw.
The performance against Montreal also netted Acosta a spot on the MLS Team of the Week, as he was named the Player of the Week by the media. The Player of the Month award for Acosta is the first time that a player for D.C. United claimed the award since May 2012, when Dwayne De Rosario was honored for a four goal, three assist month.
The Argentine will have a chance to keep his form up this Sunday, when the Black-and-Red host the Chicago Fire at Audi Field.