FC Cincinnati has officially completed the sale of Luciano “Lucho” Acosta to FC Dallas for a fee of $5 million plus $1 million in add-ons. The details of his contract are unknown.
“As Lucho departs, we want to express our gratitude,” said Chris Albright, FC Cincinnati General Manager in a statement. “Lucho has been a tremendous player for this club. From helping secure the first playoff appearance in team history, to an MVP season leading to the Supporters’ Shield, he has played a huge role in the story and success of FC Cincinnati. We wish him the best of luck in his next chapter.”
It was a saga that lasted the entire offseason. Boca Juniors, Corinthians, San Jose, and even Chicago were suitors; Estudiantes weren’t able to agree on personal terms. A deal would finally materialize with the Texan club, made possible by MLS’ new “cash for players” trade market, which allows a club to sign two in-league players per season for a flat fee.
Dallas are in the midst of a rebuild under Eric Quill, their newly-hired manager from New Mexico United. Most of their starters have been dealt. They traded for Lalas Abubakar, Anderson Julio, Shaq Moore, and Léo Chú. From abroad, they added Ramiro from Cruzeiro and Osaze Urhoghide from Amiens to significantly bolster their defense. Lucho is their biggest acquisition; he could form a partnership with club-record signing Petar Musa.
Lucho is the greatest player in the history of FC Cincinnati. He spent four seasons here—all as the captain—accumulating 54 goals and 53 assists in 151 appearances. He is the all-time leader in scoring and assisting in club history. He won the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, leading the club to the Supporters’ Shield; that season, he’d score 21 goals and 14 assists in 44 matches.
His first season was in 2021, during the Nijkamp era with Jaap Stam was his head coach. Some of his teammates included Geoff Cameron, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Haris Medunjanin, and Brenner. He ended that season with 7 goals and 8 assists in 31 appearances.
He was the star in the club’s quick turnaround under the leadership of Albright and Noonan. In the 2022 season, he had 11 goals and 13 assists in 34 matches. He would lead the club to its first MLS playoff berth.
In 2023, he led FC Cincinnati to its best-ever season. They would win their first Supporters’ Shield, a trophy awarded to the club that finishes in first place during the regular season. He would also lead them to the Eastern Conference Final. He finished that season with 35 G/A in 44 matches and the Landon Donovan MVP award.
In 2024, he maintained this form with 34 G/A in 41 matches. He would lead FC Cincinnati to a third place finish in the Eastern Conference despite being hampered by injuries in the backline. But it would end up being a disappointing season.
After the Round One Best-of-Three loss to NYCFC that ended FCC’s 2024 season, he had this to say immediately after the match: “We played a game today that I may remember as my last at the club. I played with my absolute 100% and more. I hope that’s how I’m remembered. This is a club I gave my life for, I gave everything for.”
Lucho revealing that it was his last year in Orange and Blue had fans completely shocked. His statements came just months removed from pledging his loyalty to the city in his MVP speech, the front page ad he took out in the Enquirer, and his celebration after the game-winner in the 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Union.
He expressed frustration with the front office’s inability to retain Álvaro Barreal, Junior Moreno, and Santi Arias—all among his closest teammates. This was repeated in a statement sent to Laurel Pfahler that publicly exposed a rift with GM Chris Albright. But it would’ve been difficult for those players to all be maintained.
That is not to mention on-field hindrances. He battled an ankle injury over the course of the season that sidelined him in the summer; the extent of this injury isn’t known. He dealt with a revolving door of strikers and wasn’t really able to play with a DP in that position.
All of that combined with rumored personal issues that would’ve made a return to Argentina necessary. These issues have not been confirmed, but they could add context to why he departed so suddenly—and why he would blame Albright for issues that couldn’t have been entirely his fault.
Lucho’s departure allows a new era to begin for FC Cincinnati; they reach roster compliance and are set to sign Evander as his replacement. Despite obvious feelings of betrayal from the fanbase, his time at the club will be remembered fondly.
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