September 22, 2023 (Cincinnati, OH) – FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright, Head Coach Pat Noonan, and Captain Luciano Acosta announced that they have signed a 3-year contract extension for the Argentine midfielder through the 2026 season, with an option for 2027.
Acosta, 29, has been with the club since the 2021 season. Since then, he’s appeared in 88 matches for the Orange and Blue, scoring 48 goals and recording 40 assists for the Orange and Blue. This season, he’s put up an MVP caliber season, recording 25 goal contributions (14 goals, 11 assists), as FC Cincinnati sit atop the Supporter’s Shield table with 5 matches left in the season.
Acosta took out a full page ad in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday, with the ad writing:
“Querido Cincinnati,
This city is my family. It is an honor to represent this badge, to fight for honor and glory. For the victories and the defeats, the good and the bad, for you and for me, we are all united. After all, why not go for it all?
Esta ciudad es mi familia. Es un honor representar este escudo, luchar por el honor y la gloria. Para las victorias y las derrotas, lo bueno y lo malo, para ustedes y para mi, estamos todos unidos. Después de todo, ¿por qué no vamos por todo?”
Photo: Cincinnati Enquirer/Pat Brennan (X/Twitter: @PBrennanENQ)
Acosta will remain in Cincinnati as one of FC Cincinnati’s three Designated Players (unless those roster spots increase in the offseason, of course) alongside Nigerian midfielder Obinna Nwobodo (26) and Gabonese forward Aaron Boupendza (27). FC Cincinnati will focus their attention towards Saturday’s home match against Charlotte FC, in hopes of moving one step closer to the Supporter’s Shield.
In other news, FC Cincinnati’s All-Star defender Álvaro Barreal’s shot from the U.S. Open Cup against USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds has been nominated for the Puskas Award. The FIFA Puskas Award is voted on for the most aesthetically pleasing/beautiful goal of the year. Barreal joins a list of 10 other players, both men and women.
Álvaro Barreal goal: https://x.com/opencup/status/1705191564178301062?s=46&t=cvjp-cFAouFv8YFYobgQww
Vote Here: https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/puskas-award
Cover Photo: Mohammed Taha (IG: @Mohammed.Photographe)