FC Dallas Signs 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta in Record $5M Player Trade

The Argentine midfielder, pivotal to FC Cincinnati's recent success, joins Dallas in a landmark cash-for-player deal under MLS's new trade rules.

• Luciano Acosta, 2023 MLS MVP, was traded from FC Cincinnati to FC Dallas for $5 million, with up to $1 million in performance-based incentives.
• Acosta played a key role in Cincinnati's turnaround, leading the team to its first playoff appearance and a Supporters' Shield win in 2023.
• The 30-year-old midfielder is one of only six MLS players with three seasons of at least 10 goals and 10 assists and has captained the MLS All-Star team twice.
• This trade is one of the first major transactions under MLS's newly introduced cash-for-player trade rules, implemented in 2025.
• FC Cincinnati is reportedly seeking to replace Acosta with Brazilian midfielder Evander from the Portland Timbers.

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