After a prolonged search to add an impact player from outside MLS, D.C. United has officially unveiled their newest acquisition: Luciano Acosta. As we know, Acosta has been signed on loan from Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors for one year, with an option to buy at the end of that year.
D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper was excited to make this announcement:
"We are very pleased to have acquired a top young talent on loan from Boca Juniors. Luciano is a dynamic creative midfielder who has solid experience the past two seasons in the top Argentine league, and we look forward to quickly integrating him into our group."
Acosta made his debut for D.C. United on Saturday night and immediately showed some chemistry with fellow Argentine Fabian Espindola, assisting on a goal in the preseason match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He also showed some of the speed that United has missed in the middle of the field, as well as a toughness that some of United's previous international signings have lacked.
Acosta's signing comes with enough time for him to participate fully in the second stage of the preseason, which gives him a good shot at starting eight days from now in the Concacaf Champions League. His signing adds new lineup questions for Ben Olsen to solve (which we will break down in upcoming posts), but all of those wrinkles can only improve the team.
Welcome Luciano!