Acosta slams Colorado Rapids for not letting him play abroad

The Los Angeles FC announced this week that United States men’s national team midfielder Kellyn Acosta was acquired for $1.1 million from the Colorado Rapids. The 26-year-old is a former MLS All-Star who helped the Rapids clinch the top seed in the Western Conference last campaign.

Acosta started 19 out of 21 matches during the 2021 MLS regular season, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He also became a regular player for the United States men’s national team with 21 appearances during 2021, the most by a national team player in a calendar year since 1994.

Acosta could’ve played overseas

Before the start of each season, Acosta had been linked to a move to Europe, but no offer was ever accepted by the Colorado Rapids. Once his transfer to LAFC became official the United States international took to social media to talk about why he didn’t make the switch to another league.

“This narrative is so sad. Colorado pushed me out. They had an offer for me on the table from abroad and ongoing interests and opted to trade me to the Los Angeles Football Club,” he wrote on Twitter.

Acosta's wish is to leave Major League Soccer and play abroad. But one of the problems in MLS is that if a player is traded within the league they have no say in the matter unless there is a no-trade clause included in the contract. The Rapids wanted to renew his contract, but negotiations fell apart and they decided to trade him to LAFC.