Argentine midfielder Luciano Acosta has been named the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP on Monday.
Acosta captained FC Cincinnati and led the league with 31 goal contributions, 17 goals and 14 assists during the regular season. According to the MLS, Acosta received 60.37% of player, media and technical staff votes to secure the MVP spot.
LAFC's Dénis Bouanga and Atlanta United player Thiago Almada (also from Argentina) came in as runner-ups for the award, receiving 14.97% and 6.46% of votes, respectively.
Acosta joined FC Cincinnati in 2021 after spells with Mexican team Atlas and MLS side D.C. United, where he played for close to 100 games. He hasn't been called for the Argentine national soccer team.
Lionel Messi, who many expected to dominate the MLS league in his first season, was not nominated for the MVP award after an injury hampered his debut season.
Acosta is the ninth South American player to earn the MLS MVP award. Other Latinos to win the award include Carlos Vela (2019), Josef Martínez (2018), Diego Valeri (2015), David Ferreira (2010) Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2008), Luciano Emilio (2007) and Christian Gómez (2004).
"I am very proud of this team," Acosta said in a video after winning the award. "Everybody here deserves something this year. We deserve more, and we have to give it our all."
FC Cincinnati already won its first silverware of the season after securing the Supporter's Shield trophy by amassing the most points during the regular season. Acosta and FC Cincinnati are still in the MLS playoffs and will face Columbus Crew this Saturday as they now look to win the MLS Cup.
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