The Dallas Morning News reported Sunday morning that F.C. Dallas “is trading homegrown midfielder Kellyn Acosta to the Colorado Rapids.” Hours later, The Athletic independently confirmed that Acosta officially joined the Rapids Sunday afternoon and will be introduced to the media Monday.

In exchange, Colorado Rapids would give up striker Dominique Badji, an international slot for 2018 and 2019, and a portion of the transfer fee should Acosta ever be transferred outside of MLS.

Acosta, 22, has 116 appearances in MLS for F.C. Dallas and the American midfielder is considered one of the more-impressive players in his generation. Acosta has already featured seventeen times for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

However, the native Texan has recently fallen out of favor with FCD coach Oscar Pareja. After returning from hernia surgery in May, Acosta has found himself relegated to the bench behind fellow homegrown player Victor Ulloa.

In giving up Badji, the Rapids would be losing their leading goalscorer, but gaining a promising utility player in return. Acosta’s skillset has made him a valuable asset for Dallas at central midfield, right back, and left back.

While there has been no word on whether or not Colorado are looking to add a forward this window, it is reasonable to assume General Manager Pádraig Smith will want to find a striker to fill the void in a rapidly dwindling forward corps that boasts Jack McBean (2 goals, 0 assists) as its top threat.

Update: The Rapids have scheduled a press conference for Monday. One has to think that this trade is the marquee item on the club’s agenda.

H/t: Jon Arnold and Ryan Clark

Image Credit: Dallas Morning News