FC Cincinnati star midfielder Lucho Acosta was named the 2023 MLS MVP after a record-breaking season he maintains will be with forever.
Not many predicted the trajectory of the Orange and Blue in their second season under head coach Pat Noonan, but there were signs that Acosta was on to bigger and betters things ahead of the 2023 campaign.
The former DC United player had his best ever season in Major League Soccer, tallying 10 goals and 19 assists (most in the league) to propel his side to their first-ever postseason appearance after failing to do so in their first three seasons.
The 29-year-old was in impeccable form all 2023, notching a new career best in goal involvements with 17 goals and 14 assists. But Acosta recalled his first moments in Cincinnati where he knew that big things were in store for him and the team in the future.
“When I first arrived here, the moment I arrived, there was something special about the city,” Acosta said during a press conference.
“I felt at home from the moment I arrived here … even in moments when at this club, it felt impossible that we’ve become this great. But now, I’m sitting here with this MVP trophy, we’ve got the Supporters’ Shield, and I look over to my left I see my family, and the family that we’ve created here in the city. And the family we’ve created is incredible.”
Acosta highlighted that whenever he sees the Landon Donovan award, he also thinks back to his early stages in Ohio when was still learning about his new home.
“The first thought that came to my head was thinking about my son, who was one year old (when we came to Cincinnati). Where are we going to get him milk? Where are we going to get food? How am I going to talk to someone who doesn’t understand me?’ Those were the thoughts that kind of came flooding to my head. Thinking about those things when I first came to this country, and how hard that was,” he said.
“All those memories are reflected in that trophy. When I see that trophy, I see my reflection and all those memories come flooding back, and this is a trophy for memories.”
The Buenos Aires, Argentina native also made it clear that the MVP award was not just hit but also his teammates’ as well.
“The MVP is an individual award, but I want to share this with my teammates,” added Acosta.
“I’m very proud of this team. I just want to say thank you to my teammates, you make this possible. There’s nothing done yet, we have to keep going. We go for more, we go for all guys.”
The 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners return to action on December 2 at TQL Stadium in the Eastern Conference final against Columbus Crew with a trip to MLS Cup final at stake.
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