LAFC announced today that U.S. National Team midfielder Kellyn Acosta will join the Club from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $550,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2022 and $550,000 in GAM in 2023. Colorado could receive up to an additional $400,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met and would receive a percentage of a future transfer fee if Acosta is moved outside of MLS or within the league.
“Kellyn is a player that has all the attributes necessary to play how we want in the midfield,” LAFC Co-President and General Manager John Thorrington said. “He provides versatility and ability to help our team immediately. He is in his prime, a fixture in our National Team, and offers the MLS experience we sought in the off-season.”
Acosta 26, is a former MLS All-Star who helped Colorado clinch the top seed in the Western Conference in 2021, as he started 19 of 21 matches, scoring one goal and registering two assists in 1,718 minutes and was also named the Rapids 2021 Humanitarian of the Year.
The Plano, TX native has become a staple in the lineup for the U.S. Men’s National Team, leading the U.S. with 21 appearances in 2021, the most by a national team player in a calendar year since 1994. Acosta was one of two players to be included on both the national team’s 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup rosters, starting and playing every minute in both finals. Overall, Acosta has earned 45 national team caps, scoring two goals. He has represented the U.S. National team beginning at the U-15 level.
Acosta has made a total of 196 MLS regular season appearances since making his MLS debut for FC Dallas as an 18-year old in 2013. Dallas signed the 16-year old Acosta as a Homegrown player after he originally joined the Dallas Academy at the U-13 level.
In 2016, Acosta established himself a marquee player for Dallas, helping the team earn the 2016 U.S. Open Cup and the 2016 Supporters Shield. Acosta made a career high 24 starts in 32 appearances, scoring two goals and registering five assists. Acosta scored a total of nine goals and 12 assists in 96 starts and 123 MLS appearances during his seven seasons with FC Dallas from 2012-2018.
He joined the Rapids in the summer of 2018 after a trade from FC Dallas and made an immediate impact, scoring in his Colorado debut. In four seasons in Colorado, Acosta appeared in 79 MLS games, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists in 6,257 minutes.
Name: Kellyn Acosta
Position: Midfielder
Born: 7/24/1995
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 150 lbs.
Birthplace: Plano, TX
Hometown: Plano, TX
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Colorado Rapids
TRANSACTION: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) acquires Kellyn Acosta from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for $550,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) in 2022 and $550,000 in GAM in 2023. Colorado could receive up to an additional $400,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met and would receive a percentage of a future transfer fee if Acosta is moved outside of MLS or within the league.
