Washington DC — As the MLS All-Star festivities get into full swing, Washington DC takes center stage on Wednesday, July 19 as the league’s best face Arsenal. The Lionel Messi mania may be sweeping the league from Miami, but there are quite a few interesting storylines in the nation’s capital as well. Folarin Balogun and Auston Trusty will travel to the United States with Arsenal for the match. New signings Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber could make their Arsenal debuts, the latter two MLS MVPs, Carles Gil and Hany Muktar could star for the MLS All-Star team and more, and another reunion between the coaching staff and All-Star team captain Luciano Acosta.
Check the opt-in box to confirm that you want to subscribe.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
Acosta, the first-ever All-Star captain selected by a fan vote, will have the distinct honor of wearing the Captain Morgan armband during the game, a testament to his leadership as FC Cincinnati lead the Supporters’ Shield race at the breaking point for the competition. The captain’s armband is a custom bracelet designed by local DC artist MasPaz especially for the event. Not only will Acosta return to Washington DC for the game, but he will also be coached by his former teammate Wayne Rooney.
The pair lit up the competition for DC United between 2018 and 2019 before Rooney moved to Derby County and Acosta moved to Atlas. Now reunited, they get a chance to make magic happen again, but in a different way as they try to take down Arsenal. Leading up to the All-Star game, CBS Sports spoke to former LA Galaxy and USMNT midfielder and a current announcer for the league Cobi Jones about who he’s most excited to watch at the All-Star game and his answer: without a doubt, was Acosta.
“We were talking about the Captain Morgan MLS fan voices [for the captaincy] and we saw who the fans chose. Luciano Acosta, so that’s the one I’m most excited to see,” said Jones. “He’s a fun player to watch and he continues to help FC Cincinnati win games even when other players are away for international calls and such. leading the way, so that’s a player I really want to see.”
With 12 goals and six assists so far this season, Acosta is on track for his most prolific season yet as he continues to play a leading role in Cincinnati. Acosta is also one to show what is possible by coming to MLS as he is now close to obtaining US citizenship. If allowed, it could lead to a section where Acosta could represent the USMNT in a similar fashion to Julian Gressel of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“It’s great that it gives the opportunity and that it’s there. So many players who come here and have success in the United States have success in MLS and then discover that there is an opportunity to play on the national team,” said Jones. That is special for me and they have the will to play in the national team. So I’m behind that.”
If Acosta is able to represent the red, white and blue, he could add another creative dimension to the national team, but first he will push the MLS All-Stars past Arsenal on Wednesday and then lead FC Cincinnati to victory as well. Acosta’s story is still being written, but it’s moving in the right direction.