Global superstars David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic couldn’t do it, but FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta has just been named MLS MVP.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Nov 27th, 2023 17:14 EST
Aaron DosterUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
It’s been a season of firsts for FC Cincinnati. Founded in 2015 and a member of MLS since 2019, The Orange Blue have won their first Supporters’ Shield and reached their first Eastern Conference final, although the while winning their maiden Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year and Landon Donovan MVP Awards.
Acosta named MLS MVP ahead of Bouanga and Almada
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ToggleJust days after Pat Noonan won the former thanks to the team’s superb record of 20 wins, nine draws and five defeats for 34 fixtures, playmaker Luciano Acosta has scooped the best player gong after 31 goal contributions (17 scored, 14 assisted) during the regular season.
M 👏 V 👏 P pic.twitter.com/kqNjAAnO9H
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 27, 2023
The Argentine was a landslide winner ahead of LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga and Thiago Almada of Atlanta United, with another compatriot, Lionel Messi, not in the running despite picking up an eighth Ballon d’Or at the end of October.
How many times did Landon Donovan win “his” award?
The MVP Award was named after sponsors (Honda and then Volkswagen) between the league’s foundation in 1996 and 2014, at which point it was renamed in honour of Landon Donovan, who only won it once with LA Galaxy (2009) but has won more MLS Cups (six) than any other player.