PLAYER PROFILE: LUCIANO ACOSTA
By: PXI STAFF (@ProspectXI)
Position: Midfielder
Primary Role: Attacking Midfielder
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 134
DOB: 05/31/1994
Nationality: Argentina
Preferred Footed: Right
Club: DC United (MLS)
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
No International Experience
CURRENT STATUS:
Signed on loan with DC United for the 2016 MLS season.
PLAYING CAREER:
2013-2014: Boca Juniors (Argentina Primera) – 6 games, 196 minutes, 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 shots on target, 1 yellow
2014-2015: Boca Juniors (Argentina Primera) – 9 games, 300 minutes, 1 assist, 2 shots on target
2015: Estudiantes la Plata (Argentina Primera) – 24 games, 997 minutes, 1 goal, 3 assists, 9 shots on target, 4 yellow cards
2016: Boca Juniors (Argentina Primera) – 2 games, 35 minutes
ANALYSIS:
Acosta moved to Boca Juniors youth setup from Club Commuicaciones as a 13 year old and played in the academy until his Argentinian Primera debut in 2014. Acosta played sparingly his first two seasons with Boca, playing six Primera games during the 2013-2014 season scoring his first professional goal and nine games during the 2014-2015 season. Luciano was loaned to Estudiantes la Plata for the 2015 season and played 24 games, but mostly as a sub coming of the bench 16 times. He scored one goal and added three assists.
After playing two games as a substitute for Boca at the start of the 2016 seasons, Luciano was loaned to DC United for the 2016 season with an opportunity to purchase the player. He made his debut in the CONCACAF Champions League against Queretaro. Acosta is only 5’3 and weighs 134 pounds and limited experience playing full games as a professional so there some concern regarding his stamina especially based on the expectation and travel on him in the MLS. Luciano has great speed, agility and balance and is very athletic on the ball. He has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder on the wing or up front and has proven to be good finisher when given the opportunity. When signed DC United were looking at the success of Sebastian Giovinco and Cristian Techera have had in the league and are hoping he can be an impact player for a more senior team in the league.
HIGHLIGHTS:
+ Boca Juniors Academy player
+ Made Argentina Premira League debut for Boca Juniors in 2014
+ Loaned to Argentina Primera side Estudiantes la Plata for the 2015 season
+ Loaned to DC United (MLS) for the 2016 season