FC Dallas captain Luciano Acosta stated FC Cincinnati followers “ought to be grateful” after he was booed on his return to face his former aspect.
Acosta performed for Cincinnati from 2021 to 2024. He had an excellent season in 2023, incomes the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award and the AT&T MLS Purpose of the Yr, whereas serving to the membership win the 2023 Supporters’ Defend.
The playmaker was traded to Dallas after Cincinnati had been knocked out within the first spherical of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024.
Regardless of going 2-0 down within the match, Dallas fought again to ultimately draw 3-3 due to a 92nd-minute equaliser from Sebastien Ibeagha.
Acosta was extra centered on pushing ahead along with his present aspect quite than specializing in his previous.
“They scored two objectives within the first half, which had been very simple,” stated Acosta.
“We stated within the second half that we needed to come out otherwise, with extra depth. We did it. We had been in a position to get a degree right here at their place, which could be very troublesome, and we’re very completely happy.”
Entered 2025 with 14 new gamers and a wholly new teaching workers.
Constructed a basis on grit, perception, and a never-say-die mentality. pic.twitter.com/CyTfYDHSa3
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) Might 29, 2025
Acosta added: “The reality is I do know very nicely what I did right here. I do know what I gave to this membership and the reality is that folks ought to be grateful.
“I believe we gave them a Supporters Defend, I gave them an MVP marketing campaign and a Purpose of the Yr. I believe they need to be grateful, however I maintain my head excessive with what I did for the membership.”
Dallas are eleventh within the Western Convention and face a tricky take a look at subsequent towards Jap Convention leaders Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia are unbeaten of their final 10 video games in all competitions, with their most up-to-date defeat coming towards New York Metropolis FC on April 12.
The Union got here from a purpose behind to beat Toronto FC 2-1 in midweek, and head coach Bradley Carnell is hoping his staff can proceed their current profitable streak.
“We all know we’re an actual weapon with set piece supply and whenever you want a set piece to return out most, we delivered on the evening,” Carnell stated.
“After which, by way of momentum and sheer vitality and dedication and perception and starvation, we discover a approach to win the sport.
“The vitality is unbelievable inside the group proper now, and we simply maintain discovering a approach to experience the wave of momentum.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Luciano Acosta
Acosta has been one of many higher gamers on this struggling Dallas aspect, together with Petar Musa and Anderson Julio.
Throughout their six-goal thriller towards Cincinnati, Acosta registered team-high totals for remaining third entries (eight), touches (69), complete passes (48) and profitable dribbles (three).
Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo
Baribo has been in nice type for the Union this season, main the way in which for the Golden Boot with 13 objectives in 15 matches to this point this marketing campaign.
His objectives have come at necessary instances for Carnell’s staff, too. Three of his 13 objectives have been match-openers.
MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
Philadelphia journey to face Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday with the 2 sides on reverse paths, because the visiting aspect are unbeaten in eight straight whereas the hosts hope to finish a five-match MLS winless streak.
Philadelphia’s final MLS match noticed them beat Toronto at BMO Subject, leaving them atop the desk on 33 factors, three factors above Cincinnati by way of 16 matches.
Nonetheless, Dallas have gotten the higher of Philadelphia of late, and are unbeaten within the final three MLS matches between them. Philadelphia are on the lookout for their first league win in fixtures between the 2 golf equipment since April 2019.
Hosts Dallas will search to deal with a poor run of outcomes at Toyota Stadium this season with one draw, 4 losses, and only one win in six MLS contests. The Toros wish to reverse a three-match MLS dwelling winless streak relationship to April 13 towards Seattle Sounders.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 30.2%
Draw – 24.9%
Philadelphia Union – 44.9%