Get To Know New Signing Kellyn Acosta

LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta joined the Club in a record-breaking trade on January 14, 2022. The 26-year-old midfielder is a 2017 MLS All-Star and a mainstay in the lineup for the U.S. National Team. Acosta appeared in 21 matches for the U.S. in 2021, the most by any player in a calendar year since 1994.

Here is what you need to know about LAFC’s newest addition:

• Born on July 24, 1995 in Plano, TX to parents Kennith and Kanikah.
• Grew up in Plano, TX a suburb of Dallas
• Acosta’s grandmother was Japanese and his father was born in Japan and speaks Japanese.
• Started playing youth soccer at a young age. In middle school was coached and mentored by José Márcio Pereira da Silva, known as Zequinha. His coach Zequinha is a former pro who played for big teams in Brazil, including appearances with the Brazilian National Team with Pele. He also played with the Dallas Tornadoes of NASL before starting his own soccer school.
• Joined the FC Dallas Academy at U-13 level.
• Spent a year in the U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., and helped FC Dallas capture the U-18 Development Academy National Championship in 2012.
• Signed his first professional contract with FC Dallas as a 16-year-old Homegrown Player in July 2012.
• In 2013, a 17-year-old Acosta was the youngest member on the USA's U-20 World Cup squad.
• Made his professional debut with FCD just 10 days after he turned 18 on Aug. 3, 2013 in Seattle.
• Appeared in 196 career regular season MLS games with FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids in nine seasons, playing 14,869 minutes and scoring 16 regular season goals and registering 15 assists.
• Won the 2016 U.S.Open Cup and the 2016 Supporters Shield with FC Dallas
• A 2017 MLS All-Star with FC Dallas
• Was part of the U.S. National Team roster that won the 2017 Gold Cup
• Traded to Colorado by Dallas in July, 2018 for striker Dominique Badji and an international spot. Acosta made an immediate impact, scoring in his Rapids debut.
• In 2021, Helped lead Colorado to the number one seed in the Western Conference for the first time in team history.
• Named the 2021 Rapids Humanitarian of the Year
• Has made 45 career appearances for the U.S. National Team.
• In 2021, Acosta was one of only two players to be included on the roster for both the Nations League and Gold Cup rosters. He played the full 120 minutes in both final victories.
• Scored two career goals for the U.S. National Team – notching his first goal in a 2-1 win over Ghana in July, 2017.
• In 2021, Acosta played in 21 of the U.S. National Team’s 22 matches, making 13 starts and registering two assists.
• His 21 appearances in 2021 were the most by a national team player in a calendar year since 1994.
• Acosta had a streak of 19-straight USMNT matches come to an end on Oct. 13. Acosta played in 19 straight U.S. games from 12/9/20 – 10/10/21. It was the most consecutive matches by a USMNT players since Jeff Agoos (2001-02) and Landon Donovan (2001-02)
• Made his U.S. National Team debut on Jan. 31, 2016 in a 3-2 friendly win over Iceland.
• Acosta is a self-described sneakerhead and has a collection of 200-300 shoes.
• Heavily interested in fashion and prides himself on his gameday attire.