D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta was voted the Major League Soccer player of the week by the North American Soccer Reporters.
United defeated Orlando City SC, 3-2, in dramatic fashion at Audi Field Sunday, using Acosta’s first MLS hat-trick to extend its three-game unbeaten streak. Acosta has four goals and nine assists in 18 starts. D.C. has 21 points (5-9-6 record) but has compiled a 4-2-2 mark in matches where Acosta has recorded a goal.
Acosta put D.C. on the board in first-half stoppage time, linking with Wayne Rooney on a give-and-go play in the penalty area and dribbling past numerous defenders for a near-post finish that gave the club a 1-0 advantage (Watch Goal). Following an Orlando equalizer, Acosta again put D.C. ahead when he finished a Yamil Asad pass over the top of the defense with a right-footed touch in front of goal for a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute (Watch Goal).
The 24-year-old Argentine capped his career day with a dramatic goal at the death to give D.C. a 3-2 victory and send the crowd into a frenzy. Rooney made a terrific defensive stop near midfield and launched a long aerial pass into the box, with the 5-3 Acosta elevating to win the header over the Orlando defense and send the ball into the right side of goal to cap a tremendous performance (Watch Goal). Acosta’s game-winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time was the latest goal scored in stoppage time to complete a hat-trick in league history.
United will host the Portland Timbers at Audi Field Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) before another home match on Sunday against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Sports Go / FOX Deportes).
The MLS player of the week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the NASR.