The moves are starting to come for LAFC.
On Friday, LAFC announced they had acquired midfielder Kellyn Acosta from the Colorado Rapids. LAFC paid a steep price to acquire Acosta, as the team will pay the Rapids $550,000 in general allocation money in 2022 plus another $550,000 in GAM in 2023.
“Kellyn is a player that has all the attributes necessary to play how we want in the midfield,” LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington said. “He provides versatility and ability to help our team immediately. He is in his prime, a fixture in our National Team, and offers the MLS experience we sought in the off-season.”
Acosta started his MLS career in FC Dallas, in which he spent six seasons. During his time, Acosta appeared in 117 matches and had nine goals in 12 assists while playing as both a defender and a midfielder. Acosta’s best year with Dallas came in 2016, where he helped them win the US Open Cup and the Supporters Shield. Acosta started 24 of 32 matches and registered two goals and five assists. Acosta was then traded to the Rapids in 2018 and he continued to excel, appearing in 79 total matches and registered seven goals and eight assists.
Acosta’s success in MLS has earned him callups with the U.S. national team. Acosta started to feature regularly for the USMNT this past year, as he made 21 appearances in 2021, the most by a national team player in a calendar year since 1994. Acosta was one of two players to be included on both the national team’s 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup rosters, starting and playing every minute in both finals. Overall, Acosta has earned 45 national team caps, scoring two goals. He has represented the U.S. National team beginning at the U-15 level.
