FC Cincinnati skipper Luciano Acosta on track to match historic MLS assist record

Luciano Acosta will lead the MLS team at the All-Star Game in Columbus on Wednesday, the second time that the Argentine will captain the league’s select XI in the showpiece fixture.

The 30-year-old has become the dominant attacking force for this imperious Cincinnati team, clinching the MLS Most Valuable Player award last season after leading Cincy to the Supporters’ Shield title. He’s continued that form into 2024 and is now on track to reach a long-standing MLS record.

Acosta has already recorded 18 assists in his first 24 appearances of 2024, putting him within reach of Carlos Valderrama’s incredible tally of 26 assists from the 2000 season. Colombian legend Valderrama is one of the most celebrated South American players of all time, winning the continent’s Player of the Year award in 1987 and 1993.

Luciano Acosta injury causes Cincinnati struggles

With MLS now put on hold for the All-Star/Leagues Cup break, Cincinnati are second in the Eastern Conference and remain a good bet for MLS Cup. However Pat Noonan’s side have dropped off in recent weeks, falling to three consecutive defeats to Charlotte, Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls.

Notably, Acosta was unable to start for Cincy in the Chicago and NYRB games due to a foot injury sustained in the Charlotte loss. Within the captain Cincinnati lacked a creative spark and have slipped behind Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami, who they beat 6-1 earlier this month.

“We’ve been unfortunate in the last couple weeks or a month. We’ve lost a lot of leaders,” stand-in skipper DeAndre Yedlin said after the Chicago defeat. “But it’s up to other guys to step up and be leaders. That’s how great teams are born. That’s how you know a great team can stay consistent and do this.”

Is Luciano Acosta playing in the 2024 All-Star Game?

With Lionel Messi already ruled out of the showpiece game, it would be a tragedy to see another Argentinian No. 10 sidelined in Columbus. Acosta’s condition is not clear but he was able to make an appearance from the bench for Cincinnati on Saturday.

Acosta was announced as the MLS All-Star Team captain on Friday, suggesting that league officials are confident that he will be fit to feature. He beat Chicho Arango, Cucho Hernandez and Lionel Messi in a public vote to clinch the armband.

The Argentinian will make his third consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game this week. In 2023 he won the league’s Goal of the Year competition in addition to his MVP award and he’s on track to be MLS’ Top Assist Provider this year, an award he also won in 2022.