From a USMNT perspective, the MLS Cup Playoffs have only served to reinforce the poorly trending narrative around the team.
Potential starting center-back Aaron Long and his New York Red Bulls conceded twice at home to FC Cincinnati (one to Brandon Vazquez, who has no place on the U.S. roster) and crashed out in the first round. Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore's Nashville SC didn't get any further, and despite playing two matches with FC Dallas, there was zero indication that Jesús Ferreira and Paul Arriola are international footballers. Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan didn't even make the playoffs with Seattle.
It's all extremely worrying when MLS features a largely frictionless regular season devoid of pressure before finally challenging big-name players to deliver in the playoffs. It's the only litmus test we have outside of seeing them play in WCQ, and they all largely failed.
All, of course, except for the one player who's arguably delivered more consistently for his club and country over the last couple years than anyone else: Kellyn Acosta.
On Sunday, Acosta, along with fellow midfielder Ilie Sánchez, was charged with shutting down the influence of Austin's MVP finalist Sebastián Driussi, the meandering Diego Fagúndez and box-to-box force Alexander Ring. LAFC won the match 3-0 and Austin almost never threatened with just one shot on target.
Acosta's performance was overshadowed by the contributions of Carlos Vela and Chicho Arango in the attacking third, but the 27-year-old midfielder led LAFC in tackles (three) and posted a match-leading five interceptions. Nothing could reach Driussi because Acosta was there, and the American was also tidy in possession with a 91 percent pass accuracy (30 of 33).
Acosta putting in a big performance when his team needs it most should come as no surprise at this point. He went the full 120 minutes in the USMNT's wild 3-2 win over Mexico in the Nations League final, and then he did that same thing in the remarkable Gold Cup final victory while creating the winning goal.
His performance at the Azteca during WCQ in a midfield three with Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah to get a 0-0 draw also spoke to what he can provide at the highest level of international play, although it hasn't always been smooth sailing for the Plano, TX, native.
Five years ago I was writing about how Acosta was the immediate successor to Jermaine Jones and how his future was clearly in Europe. But injuries and inconsistent form took their toll over a period that saw Acosta lose his place in the national team while moving from Dallas to Colorado.
In hindsight what he did with the Rapids — helping them reach the postseason in back-to-back years while finishing first in the West in 2021 — is all you need to know about Acosta's ability to make teams better. He left for LAFC this year, the Rapids fell to 10th in the West and now everyone's praising LAFC for having its most balanced side ever.
Who do you think brings that balance?
Acosta will certainly be at the World Cup, but how much time does Gregg Berhalter ultimately give him? The consensus is that everyone wants to see Adams, Weston McKennie and Musah against Wales, but McKennie's recent thigh injury puts his status for the opener in question.
If Berhalter was already pondering a more defensive-minded midfield against England in the second match (meaning Adams and Acosta together), the manager might be tempted to get that combination rolling against Wales. It's also worth remembering that in a tournament that elevates the importance of set pieces, Acosta is one of the best dead ball specialists the U.S. has.
There'll be outcry from certain segments of Twitter against seeing Acosta in the XI, but on the evidence of what we continue to see on a regular basis, those complaints make very little sense.
