Scouting Report: Kellyn Acosta

Kellyn Acosta is a product of what is widely regarded as the best academy in America, FC Dallas. Acosta made his professional debut for the club at 18 years of age in August of 2013. Kellyn also received his first international call up in 2016 from former USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann. While he was not played at his preferred position in the midfield, he received 4 caps for his country, most of which came as a fullback. Kellyn Acosta shows great improvement every single season, and shows no signs of slowing down as he has started 2017 with a bang.

Scouting Report

Most of America looks at FC Dallas as the home of the best academy in the country. The people involved with FC Dallas take great pride in that, as they should. Kellyn Acosta is a product of this academy, and in fact might just have the highest ceiling of the bunch. While most MLS fans are focusing on great young players like Jack Harrison, Jordan Morris and Cyle Larin, Kellyn Acosta is quietly proving why he should be mentioned in the same sentence as the others. While Kellyn is not scoring as many goals, or even providing as many assists as the people mentioned, he is a consistent player who you can guarantee will give his all every weekend.

Kellyn is a midfielder who really defends well but is not necessarily a defensive midfielder. Acosta is one of the best tacklers in the country if not the best. While tackling is a massive part of Kellyn’s game, he has really improved his play moving further up the pitch. Kellyn made a name for himself in his sophomore season in 2014 when he really displayed his defensive capabilities for this first time, showing the world his fine tackling abilities. It seems as if he focuses on one aspect of his game every offseason and drastically improves it. In 2015 Acosta’s offseason seemed to involve a lot of work on the pitch because his distribution improved drastically. He seemed as if he reinvented himself, from tough tackling Acosta to playmaking Acosta. It appears as if he knows where all 10 of his teammates on the pitch are at all times.