Much more to come on this later, but FC Dallas has signed Kellyn Acosta to a homegrown contract. Acosta, who was committed to play at Maryland, is a physically dominant defensive midfielder who went to the U17 World Cup with the United States.

Press Release after the jump

FC Dallas signs Kellyn Acosta as seventh Homegrown player

FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, July 12, 2012) – FC Dallas has signed 16-year-old Plano native Kellyn Acosta as a Homegrown Player, the club announced today. Acosta will be available for selection at the start of the 2013 MLS season.

FC Dallas has now signed seven Homegrown Players to first team contracts since the inception of the Homegrown Player Rule; only Toronto FC has signed as many.

“FC Dallas is excited to sign Kellyn Acosta to a professional contract,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “Kellyn is a very gifted player. He was the youngest member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team last year and he has played a lot of different positions during his time with the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program. We see him as a player that may start off as a defender, but eventually he will make his way into the midfield. He brings a lot of athleticism. He is a two-way player and he seems to be a very courageous player.”

A former member of the U.S. Under-15 and U-17 National teams, Acosta is currently part of the U.S. U-18 National Team player pool. Acosta most recently appeared in the Lisbon International Tournament under U.S. U-18 head coach Javier Perez. There, Acosta saw at least 135 minutes of action for the U.S. U-18 squad, which went 0-1-2 against Poland, Slovakia and Portugal.

During the 2011-12 FC Dallas Development Academy season, Acosta started 27 of the 28 games he played for the U-16 team. He scored nine times for the 12-4-8 side, which advanced to U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy Playoffs.

Acosta also played up with FC Dallas’ U-18 team eight times, logging a total of 907 minutes. The team went 20-3-1 during the 2011-12 season and was 3-0-0 in U.S.S.D.A. Playoffs. The U-18 team is set to compete in U.S.S.D.A.’s Finals Week in Houston, Texas, July 16 through July 23.

In MLS Reserve League action, Acosta logged 90 minutes in a 3-2 loss to the Houston Dynamo Reserves on June 16. The young midfielder netted a goal in the 31st minute of that match. The goal was assisted by fellow Homegrown player Moises Hernandez.

Kellyn Acosta
Position: Defender/Midfielder

Height: 5-10

Weight: 150
Hometown: Plano, Texas

DOB: July 24, 1995

Citizenship: USA
Acquired: Signed, July 12, 2012