Midfielder
Kellyn Acosta
5'10"
Read the complete biography of USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta. From his FC Dallas youth academy roots to MLS success and 58 international caps, get career stats, club history, and latest updates on the American soccer player.
Caps: 58 | Goals: 2
Kellyn Acosta came up to the professional ranks through the FC Dallas developmental academy. Signed as a homegrown player in 2012, he debuted for Dallas during the 2013 season as a defender. Quickly becoming a mainstay in the Dallas lineup, Acosta had a setback in 2014 with a knee injury. He returned to the lineup as a defensive midfielder, once again establishing himself as a regular. Traded to Colorado on July 23, 2018, Acosta joined LAFC for the 2022 MLS season and signed with Chicago in February, 2024. He stayed with the club through January 14, 2026, signing with Pogoń Szczecin on January 16.
At international level, Acosta appeared for the USMNT at every age level playing in the 2011 U-17 World Cup and the 2013 and 2015 U-20 World Cups. Acosta debuted for the senior squad in 2016.
Photos by Jenny Chuang – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2023
Subbed on against Serbia on Jan 25 in a 2-1 loss and started against Colombia on Jan 28 in a 0-0 draw. Started against Mexico on Apr 19 in a 1-1 draw.
2022
Subbed on against El Salvador on Jan 27 in a 1-0 win and Canada on Jan 30 in a 2-0 loss. Started against Honduras on Feb 2 in a 3-0 win. Started against Mexico on Mar 24 in a 0-0 draw and subbed on against Panama on Mar 27 in a 2-1 loss. Started against Costa Rica on Mar 30 in a 2-0 loss and against Grenada in the Nations League on Jun 10 in a 5-0 win. Started against Saudi Arabia on Sep 27 in a 0-0 draw. Named to the World Cup squad on Nov 9 and subbed on against Wales in the 1-1 draw on Nov 21. Subbed on against Iran on Nov 29 in the 1-0 win.
2021
Started against Trinidad and Tobago in the 7-0 win on Jan 31 and had an assist. Started against Jamaica 4-1 win on Mar 25 and Northern Ireland in the 2-1 win on Mar 28. Subbed on against Switzerland in the 2-1 loss on May 30 and against Honduras in the Nations League semifinals in a 1-0 win on Jun 3. Started in the Nations League final against Mexico on Jun 6 in the 3-2 win. Subbed on against Costa Rica on Jun 9 in a 4-0 win. Started against Haiti in the Gold Cup on July 11 in a 1-0 win. Subbed on against Martinique on Jul 15 and scored in the 6-1 win. Started against Canada on Jul 18 in the 1-0 win. Started against Jamaica on Jul 25 in 1-0 win and Qatar on Jul 29 in a 1-0 win. Started against Mexico on Aug 1 in the Gold Cup final, a 1-0 win. In World Cup qualifying, subbed on against El Salvador on Sep 2 in a 0-0 draw, started against Canada on Sep 5 in a 1-1 draw, and started against Honduras on Sep 8 in a 4-1 win. Started against Panama on Oct 10 in a 1-0 loss. Subbed on against Mexico on Nov 12 in a 2-0 win and against Jamaica on Nov 16 in a 1-1 draw. Started against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Dec 18 in a 1-0 friendly win.
2020
Subbed on against El Salvador on a 6-0 friendly win on Dec 9.
2018
Subbed on against Brazil on Sep 7 in a 2-0 friendly loss and Mexico on Sep 11 in a 1-0 win. Started against Colombia on Oct 11 in a 4-2 loss and Peru on Oct 16 in a 1-1 draw. Subbed on against England on Nov 15 in a 3-0 loss and started against Italy on Nov 20 in a 1-0 loss.
2017
Called into the Gold Cup squad, scored his first international goal in the 2-1 warm-up friendly win over Ghana on Jul 1. Started against Panama in the Gold Cup opener, 1-1 draw on Jun 7 and against Martinique in a 3-2 win on Jun 12. Subbed on against El Salvador in the 2-0 quarterfinal win on Jul 19. Started the Jul 22 semifinal against Costa Rica, a 2-0 win. Started the final against Jamaica on Jul 26, a 2-1 win. In World Cup qualifying, started against Honduras on Sep 5 in a 1-1 draw. Subbed on against Trinidad and Tobago in the 2-1 loss on Oct 10. Started against Portugal on Nov 14 in a 1-1 draw.
2016
Part of January camp, won his first squad against Iceland in the 3-2 win on Jan 31.
Professional Experience
2026
Left Chicago on Jan 14 and signed with Polish club Pogoń Szczecin on Jan 16.
2025
Played in 19 regular season games for Chicago, finishing 8th in the East and exiting the playoffs in round one.
2024
Joined the Chicago Fire on Feb 13, 2024. Played in 34 games and scored three goals for Chicago, finishing 15th in the Eastern Conference.
2023
Advanced to MLS Cup with LAFC after finishing 3rd in the Western Conference. Played in 24 regular season games. Became a free agent following the end of the season.
2022
Traded to LAFC in January and won the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup.
2021
Won the West with Colorado, exiting the playoffs in the semifinals.
2020
Finished 5th in the West with the Rapids, exiting the playoffs in the opening round.
2019
Played 31 games in his first full season in Colorado, finishing 9th in the West.
2018
Traded to Colorado on July 23, missing the playoffs.
2017
Missed the playoffs with Dallas.
2016
Played in 32 games making 24 shots and scoring two goals.
2015
Moving to defensive midfield, Acosta scored three times in 21 games for Dallas.
2014
Played in 15 games for Dallas, missing time due to injury.
2013
Played in 13 games as a defender with Dallas.
2012
Signed with FC Dallas as a homegrown player, appearing for the reserve side.
Youth and College
Part of the FC Dallas youth academy, moving into the senior squad.
