FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano ‘Lucho’ Acosta has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 11, the league announced Monday. Additionally, forward Corey Baird was named to the Team of the Matchday bench.
Monday’s recognition marks the fifth time this season Acosta has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday, the 27th time in his career with FC Cincinnati. It is also the second-straight week Acosta was named to the best 11 across MLS.
Saturday marked a historic night in Acosta’s already illustrious career with the Orange and Blue, as he scored his 44th all-time goal for Cincinnati, setting the new club record. Acosta entered the night tied with Brandon Vazquez (43) for the most across all competitions. Acosta’s goal was a vital one, a superb strike in the 42nd minute which sent FCC into halftime ahead of Colorado, 1-0.
Acosta has recorded a goal contribution in four-straight matches. In club history, there have been six single-season streaks of at least four games with a goal or assist scored. Acosta accounts for five of those six streaks.
Corey Baird scored his first goal of the season in what proved to be the match winner in the 64th minute. Baird got in behind the Rapids defense and chipped home his 29th career MLS Regular Season goal. He was named to the Team of the Matchday Bench for his first weekly honor with Cincinnati.
Acosta and Baird’s performances were the ninth and 10th recognitions of an FC Cincinnati player or coach on the weekly team this season. A full list of 2024 FC Cincinnati matchday honors:
2024 FC Cincinnati MLS Team of the Matchday Player Recognitions
- Luciano Acosta (3, 5, 6-Bench, 10, 11)
- Miles Robinson (3, 5-Bench)
- Matt Miazga (6)
- DeAndre Yedlin (7-Bench)
- Corey Baird (11-Bench)
The full team for Matchday 11 is listed below.
2024 MLS Team of the Matchday presented by Audi (Matchday 11)
F: Jáder Obrian (ATX), Christian Benteke (DC), Lionel Messi (MIA)
M: Santiago RodrÃguez (NYC), Timothy Tillman (LAFC), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Federico Bernardeschi (TOR)
D: Alex Katranis (RSL), Sebastien Ibeagha (DAL), Joseph Rosales (MIN)
GK: Chris Brady (CHI)
Coach: Josh Wolff (ATX)
Bench: Jonathan Sirois (MTL), Kevin Long (TOR), Sergio Busquets (MIA), Keaton Parks (NYC), Jack Skahan (SJ), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Corey Baird (CIN), Brian White (VAN), Petar Musa (DAL)
FC Cincinnati head on the road for two-straight road matches beginning next Saturday, May 4 at Orlando City SC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the match will air, for free with no subscription required, on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Fans can also listen to the match on ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati and iHeart and are encouraged to head to the Official Watch Party presented by Fretboard at Gatherall at Factory 52 in Norwood.
