CHESTER, Pa. -- D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen was upset about a lot of things following Friday’s 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union on a stoppage-time goal.
But Luciano Acosta wagging his finger in Olsen’s face after being taken out of the game in the 61st minute didn’t appear to be one of them.
So what exactly happened there?
“He was complaining he wasn’t getting the ball enough,” Olsen said. “And he’s got a point. But this is part of the process -- him figuring us out, his teammates figuring him out.”
It’s indeed been somewhat of a rocky first MLS season for Acosta, a 21-year-old midfielder on loan from Boca Juniors. The dynamic playmaker showed his considerable talent by winning MLS Goal of the Week in April, but he hasn’t scored any other goals besides that and was held out of the starting lineup for a recent five-game stretch.
Still, despite his frustration bubbling over Friday, Acosta was diplomatic afterwards about his encounter with Olsen.
“I understand and respect the decision,” he said. “There wasn’t really anything that serious. We were just trying to say something to each other and neither of us understood what each of us was saying.”
Acosta admitted that he “wasn’t feeling comfortable” on the ball throughout Friday’s game and “that’s why he made that decision to take me out.”
Olsen seemed to agree with that assessment.
“I think he was forcing it a little bit, and those are growing pains,” the D.C. head coach said. “But it’s not just him. We’ve gotta find him more as well. That’s part of the process. He’ll figure it out.”
And with five months still left in the season, there’s plenty of time for that to happen.
“I still think he’s got to make the right choice more and play simple because guys are going to double-team him and triple-team him,” Olsen said. “So he’s gotta make life easier on himself.
"But he’s a good little player and he’s gonna be good in this league. It’s just not always gonna be perfect.”
