MLS FC Cincinnati

Luciano Acosta Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 26

July 16, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 26, the league announced Sunday. Additionally, Santiago Arias earned a bench spot.

Acosta has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for the eighth time this season. Last season, the 2022 Best XI selection earned six recognitions over the course of the season.

Acosta scored his third penalty kick goal in as many games in the 42nd minute against Nashville SC on Saturday night to bring the Orange and Blue level. The Argentine then provided a sublime assist through traffic of Santiago Arias' go-ahead goal in the 74th minute. Acosta leads the team with three game-winning assists.

Acosta's multiple goal contributions on the evening marked his sixth game this season of multiple goal contributions, tied with Nashville's Hany Mukhtar for most in MLS.

By scoring in three straight games, Acosta has now scored in three or more consecutive games on three separate occasions this season. Acosta's 12 goals are tied for second most in MLS with LAFC's Denis Bouanga, and one behind Mukhtar. His 20 goal contributions also rank second, one behind Mukhtar's league-lead of 21.

Arias' goal was the second of the season for the wingback, his first game-winning goal of the year. The Colombian went 82 minutes on the night, aiding in shutting down a potent Nashville attack which managed just one shot on target. It is his first-career MLS Team of the Matchday recognition.

The naming of Acosta and Arias to the MLS Team of the Matchday is the 29th and 30th recognitions of an FC Cincinnati player on the weekly team this season. A full list of 2023 FC Cincinnati weekly honors:

2023 FC Cincinnati MLS Team of the Matchday Player Recognitions

- Obinna Nwobodo (Matchday 1, 3, 13-Bench, 25)

- Brenner (3-Bench)

- Junior Moreno (4)

- Matt Miazga (5-Bench, 7, 15-Bench)

- Brandon Vazquez (5-Bench)

- Yerson Mosquera (6, 10)

- Álvaro Barreal (6-Bench, 9, 11-Bench, 16, 24-Bench)

- Sergio Santos (9-Bench)

- Luciano Acosta (11-Bench, 13, 14, 16-Bench, 17-Bench, 20, 24, 26)

- Roman Celentano (14-Bench, 20)

- Dominique Badji (22)

- Santiago Arias (26-Bench)

The full team for Matchday 26 is listed below.

2023 MLS Team of the Matchday presented by Audi (Matchday 26)

F: Jefferson Savarino (RSL), Dairon Asprilla (POR), Ryan Gauld (VAN)

M: Carles Gil (NE), Diego Luna (RSL), Ian Harkes (NE), Luciano Acosta (CIN)

D: Tim Parker (STL), Joel Waterman (MTL), Antônio Carlos (ORL)

GK: Djordje Petrovic (NE)

Coach: Oscar Pareja (ORL)

Bench: Roman Bürki (STL), Santiago Arias (CIN), Miguel Navarro (CHI), Jose Martínez (PHI), Mauricio Pereyra (ORL), Emanuel Reynoso (MIN), Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Ethan Finlay (ATX), Bernard Kamungo (DAL)

Acosta will lead the MLS All-Star Team as captain in the All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 19 vs Arsenal at Audi Field in Washington D.C. Álvaro Barreal and Matt Miazga will also represent the Orange and Blue, and the match will stream for free on Apple TV.

FC Cincinnati will begin play in the first edition of Leagues Cup next Sunday, July 23 when the Orange and Blue take on Sporting Kansas City at TQL Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the match will stream exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Fans can also listen to the match locally on ESPN 1530.

Fans can get their tickets now for the club's home games in the inaugural Leagues Cup at TQL Stadium vs Sporting Kansas City (July 23) and Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara (July 27).

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from July 16, 2023


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