TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
One of the biggest prospects in the US men's national team setup is on the move.
FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta was traded to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for striker Dominique Badji and an international roster spot on Monday. As part of the deal, the two clubs have further agreed to swap first round picks in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, while Colorado will also acquire FC Dallas’ second-round selection. In addition, both teams will retain 50 percent of any international transfer value through the 2020 Secondary Transfer Window.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a player like Kellyn Acosta who has meant so much to the entire FC Dallas family,” said FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo in a statement. “Dominique gives us a scoring threat at the forward position that can be a difference-maker for us this season.”
Acosta, 22, a native of Plano, Texas, began his career as a member of the FC Dallas Development Academy before spending the past five-and-a-half seasons with the first team. Over that time, Acosta amassed 8 goals and 12 assists in 115 Major League Soccer appearances and was selected to the 2017 MLS All-Star team. Equally impressive on the international level, Acosta made 17 senior team appearances and scored his first international goal on July, 1, 2017 in a 2-1 win over Ghana. No stranger to major tournaments, Acosta was a member of the senior team’s 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship squad as well as the youngest member of the U.S. U-20 World Cup team in 2013.
"I’m thrilled with the opportunity being given to me by the Colorado Rapids,” said Acosta in a statement. “This is a club with a bright future and I can’t wait to get started.”
“Kellyn Acosta is one of the bright young players in U.S. Soccer,” said Rapids executive vice president and general manager Padraig Smith. “His versatility in the midfield and ability to control games, get forward and break lines is something that will help this team both this season and in years to come. We can’t wait to welcome him to Colorado.”
Badji, 25, has seven goals and two assists in 15 starts for the Rapids this season, including a hat trick against Philadelphia and a goal against Sporting Kansas City. The Senegalese forward was drafted by Colorado in the fourth round (67th overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. He has appeared in 91 regular season matches for the Rapids, scoring 24 goals and 12 assists.
Acosta will look to have a resurgence in Colorado after a rough stretch. After failing to help Dallas reach the playoffs in 2017, the 22-year-old started the season dealing with an injury and has made just eight starts in 2018. He will likely slot in next to Jack Price in Anthony Hudson's midfield. Badji will battle for playing time in the forward rotation for Oscar Pareja alongside Maxi Urruti and Cristian Colman.
