Cincinnati star Acosta wins 2023 MLS MVP award
FC Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta was named the 2023 MLS MVP on Monday.
The diminutive midfielder led Major League Soccer with 31 goal contributions during the regular season, racking up 17 tallies and 14 assists (including secondary assists) as Cincinnati claimed the Supporters' Shield for the first time.
Acosta, 29, took 60% of the vote from players, clubs, and the media, beating out Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga (15%) and Atlanta United playmaker Thiago Almada (6%) to capture the award. He'll look to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet in the coming weeks, as Cincinnati is one of four teams remaining in the MLS postseason.
Previous winners of the MLS MVP prize include luminaries such as Carlos Valderrama, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, Sebastian Giovinco, and David Villa.
In addition to leading the league in goal contributions, Acosta also ranked second in key passes with 97 (four behind San Jose Earthquakes' Cristian Espinoza) and second in attempted dribbles with 187 (five behind LAFC's Bouanga).
Acosta is among four Cincinnati standouts to collect an individual honor in recent weeks. Center-back Matt Miazga collected the MLS Defender of the Year award, Pat Noonan was named the league's top coach, and goalkeeper Roman Celentano was selected for Save of the Year for a last-minute stop against the Columbus Crew.
Acosta also won Goal of the Year for his solo effort against Charlotte FC in September.
FC Cincinnati face "Hell is Real" rival Columbus in the Eastern Conference final next Saturday.