After scoring four goals and contributing six assists to help D.C. United to a five-match unbeaten run, midfielder Luciano Acosta has been voted the MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ by members of the media for the month of September.
Acosta leads the league with 16 assists to go along with nine goals scored, both MLS career highs. D.C. sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with 38 points (10-11-8 overall record), two points behind the Montreal Impact for the final playoff spot with two games in hand.
Acosta began the month with a brace in D.C.’s 3-1 victory over Atlanta United on Sept. 2 at Audi Field, opening the scoring in the face of two defenders before capping the day with another goal in transition.
Two matches later, the Argentine helped D.C. to a 2-1 victory when hosting Minnesota United on Sept. 12 with two assists, first on Ulises Segura’s equalizer, followed by Darren Mattocks’ game-winner. Acosta followed with a goal and an assist in D.C.’s 3-3 home draw against the rival New York Red Bulls on Sept. 16, setting up Paul Arriola’s match opening goal before later giving D.C. a 3-2 lead on his 87th-minute chip of Luis Robles.
The 24-year-old midfielder capped the month with a goal and three assists in a home 5-0 rout of the Montreal Impact last Saturday. Acosta opened the match with his beautiful give-and-go goal in the 17th minute before setting up Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola (twice) after halftime.
D.C. continue their late-season playoff bid Sunday when they host the Chicago Fire (1 pm ET | ESPN — full TV & streaming info).
MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ is voted upon by a panel of select national media members in a process conducted by MLS Communications.
