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News, Blog and GuidesThe FC Cincinnati forward has already begun the citizenship process and is dreaming of representing the United States national team.
Eduardo Burgos Rodríguezedu17burgosWilliam GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jan 15th, 2024 11:06 EST
Katie StratmanUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
His FC Cincinnati side may have fallen short in the playoffs, but Luciano Acosta dominated the 2023 MLS regular season. He finished the year as MVP as he led Cincinnati to the Supporters’ Shield, scoring 17 goals and contributing 14 assists.
The Buenos Aires-born forward moved to the United States in 2016 to join DC United and has now found a home in Ohio. He holds a green card, which allows him to be registered as a domestic player, but is now in the process of applying for American citizenship. If granted, he is targeting a USMNT call-up.
“The World Cup is far away today. But yes, if it’s possible, I will honestly be delighted to play for the United States national team,” Acosta told Argentinian publication La Nacion.
As FC Cincinnati chases its first MLS Cup, tonight MVP candidate Luciano Acosta takes a moment to reflect on his remarkable journey. "Cincinnati is my family. The club is my family. To the fans, to the whole city, 'Thank you.'"🟠@WLWT @LuchoAcosta94 🔵 pic.twitter.com/OLY6volj6F
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 26, 2023
“If it’s my turn, I would be proud to be able to represent a country where my daughter Valentina was born, a country that opened its doors to me, that let me grow and gave me many things… If not, it will be my turn in the 2026 World Cup to support them for my daughter, and Argentina for my son. I will be divided, but cheer on both nations,” he added.
Acosta’s US citizenship request is already underway
Gaining US citizenship is a notoriously difficult task, even for those hoping to represent the nation at a home World Cup. Acosta first moved to the States in 2016 on a loan deal but made it permanent the following year when he signed a contract with DC United.
Guidance from US Citizenship and Immigration Services states that applicants must have been a permanent resident for at least five years to be eligible for US citizenship. Acosta revealed that things are progressing, albeit it at a slow pace.
“With the [citizenship] procedure I’m continuing in the process. Although some details are missing we are getting there, it is a long process and we are on the right path. I’ll leave it to the lawyer to take care of it, I don’t get too involved.”
“If it works out, great, I will be available for selection,” he said.
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Luciano Acosta is the reigning MLS MVP. Aaron DosterUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
But while the lure of representing USMNT at a home World Cup is certainly a major motivation, eight years on from his first move to the States, Acosta’s bond with the nation goes beyond the soccer field.
The 29-year-old explained: “Although the national team is one of the reasons why I started this whole process, it is not the only one. Aside from the soccer, I want my family and I to have North American citizenship. But I’m trying to be relaxed, if it doesn’t happen I don’t want to get frustrated.”
Acosta was close to PSG move
After impressing at a young age with DC United there is a sense that Acosta has finally unlocked his full potential with Cincinnati. He was always viewed as a promising player in the capital and that early promise nearly saw him secure a move to French giants Paris-Saint Germain.
In 2019, when they were searching for a replacement for the recently-injured Neymar, PSG made an approach for Acosta. The player was eager to make the move but recalls how a late change of plans from the MLS side prevented him making a dream move to Europe.
“We were heading to the medical [with PSG] but suddenly the car pulled over. My representative called me and told me that I had to go back to the hotel because everything had fallen through. I remember hearing him say, ‘DC United don’t want to accept the offer.’ My world fell apart. At the hotel I started crying and had to return to Washington. I could not believe it.”
