FC Cincinnati has agreed on a blockbuster deal to sell former MLS MVP Lucho Acosta to fellow MLS side FC Dallas.
The deal was completed using the league’s new Cash for Player trade system. This system allows MLS teams to send cash to other teams instead of General Allocation Money or other assets in exchange for players. Dallas is sending Cincinnati $5 million in bonuses in exchange for the star midfielder.
This deal ends a heavy saga between Lucho and Cincinnati that has worsened the past few months, with an exit becoming increasingly needed. Recently, Lucho did a massive interview with the Queen City Press, in which he directly criticized Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright. Cincinnati would in return give a statement backing Albright.
The saga started in November when Cincinnati was eliminated from the playoffs. Acosta shocked the league by telling the media he wanted to leave FCC in the offseason. Cincinnati couldn’t find a deal for him by the time preseason rolled around and Acosta wouldn’t show up to preseason, causing him to get fined by the team. He would later on join the group for preseason but was training alone to get his fitness up.
Dallas pushed hard to sign an attacking midfielder, and with Lucho joining will now also be getting one of the league’s best players
Acosta, 30, was named the 2023 MLS MVP after getting 19 goals and 12 assists in 2023, leading FCC to win the Supporters’ Shield. Then in 2024, he would continue his fine run, getting 14 goals and 17 assists.
Acosta can lead an attack all by himself, but will also have help at FC Dallas in the form of their star forward Petar Musa. FC Dallas paid $10 Million for him last season and he would go on to get 16 goals and 3 assists. Now, he will have one of the league’s best chance creators providing service.
For Cincy, they have been pushing for weeks to sign Portland Timbers star Evander. Acosta’s departure will clear the way for them to get Evander now.
Cincinnati has already signed forward Kevin Denkey for $16.2 million, a league-record transfer until Atlanta United signed Emmanuel Latte Lath. FCC has also signed Luca Orellano back on a permanent deal, then added 2 more defenders in left wing-back Lukas Engel and center-back Gilberto Flores. Former MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga will return after a season-ending injury last summer.
