Photo: Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports

2024 Chicago Fire in Review: Kellyn Acosta

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Joe Chatz | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 8:55 PM ET

Kellyn Acosta was brought in by the Chicago Fire ahead of the 2024 season to help legitimize a squad that hasn’t competed in the top level of MLS for years now.

While the results didn’t fall in Chicago’s favor often in 2024, Kellyn Acosta’s presence was an overall positive for a team that needed someone to fill the leadership void that was apparent throughout 2024.

Acosta, 29, led Chicago with 34 MLS appearances in 2024 while collecting three goals and two assists in over 2,300 minutes on the pitch. He finished third on the Fire with 30 interceptions and fourth in tackles with 47, per fbref, but two of the three goals he scored in 2024 won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

a Kellyn Acosta #cf97 #VamosFire pic.twitter.com/eHfBrfs6Sn
— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) October 3, 2024

Working our way back, Acosta’s final goal of 2024 was an absolute rocket from beyond 25 yards in the Fire’s loss to Charlotte in October. The goal against Charlotte was understandably overlooked by most as everyone is still recovering from Acosta’s wind-aided goal from beyond midfield that gave the Fire the 4-3 win over Montreal at Soldier Field in March. Acosta was inches away from scoring another banger against D.C. United at SeatGeek Stadium in September but that effort rang off the post.

Kellyn Acosta’s wind aided goal to win the match over CF Montréal #cf97 #VamosFire #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/iey0V10BgE
— Joe Chatz (@JoeChatz) March 16, 2024

Acosta remains under contract with the Fire through the 2026 season and this reporter expects him to wear the captain’s armband for Chicago under new head coach Gregg Berhalter.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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