Pat Noonan highlights Lucho Acosta’s off-the-field growth during MVP award reception

FC Cincinnati’s Lucho Acosta winning the 2023 MLS MVP award signals the player’s improvement on the field, but head coach Pat Noonan insists the 29-year-old has grown tremendously away from soccer as well.

Acosta has set new career highs in back-to-back seasons with Noonan on the touchline, but the Orange and Blue boss firmly believes he’s much more than just a goal-scoring, playmaking machine.

“He’s more than a player. He’s a really good human being,” the 2023 MLS Coach of the Year said at a press conference dedicated for the MVP winner.

“He’s a good father. He’s a good husband, but a lot of people don’t get to see that. I’m even fortunate enough to see our kids playing (soccer) together. And this is a guy who on Tuesdays and Thursdays is bringing his family to the gym to watch his son, and spending hours signing autographs and taking pictures.”

Noonan went on to explain that the way Acosta carries himself is an admirable one that not everyone gets to see behind the scenes.

“He represents his family in a really strong way. I think maybe people don’t always get insight into that and that perspective is just how good of a person he is. He’s come a long way on and off the field. He deserves all of this positive attention for the work that he’s done for our club with his play, but also in the community.”

As Acosta inked a new deal with FCC back in September, he’ll have ample opportunities to give back to the Cincinnati community as well as racking up goals and assists for the Orange and Blue through the 2026 season.

Acosta and Cincinnati are on the brink of punching their ticket to MLS Cup final, as they take on Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final on December 2 at TQL Stadium.

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