Dallas acquires former MVP Acosta from Cincinnati

FC Dallas acquired Argentine midfielder Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati for at least $5 million on Wednesday, marking one of the biggest official cash-for-player swaps to date in MLS. The 2023 MLS MVP is Cincinnati's franchise leader with 54 goals and 72 assists since joining the club in 2021.

Acosta played a crucial role in Cincinnati's turnaround after the club finished last in its first three seasons. Cincinnati reached the playoffs for the first time in 2022 and won the Supporter's Shield for the league's best record during Acosta's MVP season.

The $5 million deal includes up to an additional $1 million in performance-based incentives. MLS introduced cash-for-player trades last month, allowing teams to sign players using cash on hand rather than General Allocation Money or assets such as draft picks and international roster spots.

The 30-year-old Acosta is a two-time MLS All-Star team captain and one of six players in league history with three or more seasons of at least 10 goals and 10 assists. In 2023, he recorded 17 goals and 14 assists.

"This is a landmark signing for FC Dallas and a statement of our commitment to building a championship-caliber team," FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said. "Bringing in a player of Lucho's caliber - an MVP and proven leader - demonstrates our ambition and desire to compete at the highest level."

Before joining Cincinnati, Acosta played for Atlas FC in Liga MX from 2019 to 2021. He was with D.C. United on loan in 2016, a move made permanent by the MLS club after the season. Acosta helped United reach the playoffs three times in four seasons, tallying 10 goals and 17 assists in 2018