COMMERCE CITY, Colo. ā Kellyn Acosta came up through the FC Dallas academy system, and spent six and a half more seasons as part of the clubās first team after signing a Homegrown contract in 2012. That chapter of his life has now ended, and heās ready to begin the next one ā as a member of the Colorado Rapids.
āThe guys welcomed me with open arms and the coaches have been great.ā Acosta told reporters Monday, meeting with media for the first time since the head-turning trade which landed him in Colorado in exchange for striker Dominique Badji. āIām just happy to be integrated with the group.ā
Itās been a whirlwind ride for the 22-year-old midfielder, who spent his entire professional career with Dallas prior to the trade.
āObviously, leaving a club that Iād been with for ten years is not something I had been wanting to do,ā Acosta reflected. āBut Colorado came in and I had to be here. Itās the next step in my journey and Iām glad to be part of a team and organization that has great ambitions to bring a championship back to Colorado. I want to be a part of that.ā
Following an early morning flight to Colorado, he quickly got to work, training with the Rapids on Monday. Acosta is expected to play his first minutes for the Rapids on Tuesday night, when Colorado host an international friendly match against Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
āHe wants to play, he wants to be involved,ā said Rapids head coach Anthony Hudson. āThat in itself is a great sign. Heās a big signing. He could have quite easily have come in this afternoon and watched the game tomorrow. But he got on a 4:30 am flight, trained, and wants to play tomorrow. Thatās a great sign.ā
The Rapids front office expects Acosta to be a part of both the clubās short and long term vision, as GM Padraig Smith continues his plan to build the team into contention. Acostaās current contract runs through the end of this season with club options for 2019 and 2020.
āFrom our perspective, this shows where weāre going as a club,ā Smith explained. āWe wouldnāt be in a position to get some of those players if we didnāt have this ambition, this drive, and determination to go all the way and bring a title back here. I think thatās one of the things weāre looking for. Weāve always talked about that character and mentality piece; making sure weāre bringing people in that have the same desire to win that we do. So absolutely, weāre here for the long haul.ā
Itās a new direction for both club and player. But Acosta is embracing the change while hoping to make some of his own.
āPlaying against [the Rapids] was always tough,ā he said. āNow Iām excited for my next journey, my next step and hopefully bring some changes to the Colorado Rapids...It's time to switch gears, turn the page and get back to the winning ways again.ā