Four MLS Stars Reveal Their Apple Music ‘The Warm-Up’ Pre-Game Playlist Picks

The worlds of sports and music often collide, and the cultures have become synonymous with one another. Four MLS superstars have revealed what’s getting them in the zone before they hit the pitch to dominate.

On Thursday night (Aug. 22) Apple Music launched The Warm-Up playlists curated by FC Cincinnati’s Luciano “Lucho” Acosta, Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Columbus Crew member Cucho Hernández.

“Music helps me to release tension and lets me focus,” Acosta told Apple Music. He blends the worlds of hip-hop and reggaeton for his pregame jams, with picks like Kendrick Lamar’s atomic Drake diss “Not Like Us,” as well as a mix of Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, Anuel AA and Feid.

Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” could motivate the laziest of individuals to run through a wall. Mukhtar brings that same intensity to Nashville SC as a rap savant with playlist selections including Drake, Cardi B, Lil Durk, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and more.

While Bouanga relocated to the West Coast to suit up for LAFC, the star winger still favors his French roots with rappers such as SDM, Maes and Niska. He’s still nuanced in American rap, with Pop Smoke, Drake, DMX, Travis Scott being some of his favorites.

“Music plays an essential role in the preparation of my match. It allows me to put myself in my bubble and not think of anything at all. Once the headphones are removed, motivation and determination is already present. I just have to go to the field and win,” he said to Apple Music of his picks. “They make me do the ‘butterfly effect,’ which means making me move my head and sing!”

With Cucho Hernández thousands of miles away from Colombia, the talented striker gets a taste of home with Colombian Vallenato across his pre-game playlist. He presses “play” on Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, Maluma, J Balvin and more before taking the field.

“Music cheers me up,” the 25-year-old shared with Apple Music. “Helps me focus before training, concentrates us in the locker room, helps me concentrate and boost my vibes.”

Fans can catch Hernández and Bouanga in action on Sunday (Aug. 25) when they match up as part of the Leagues Cup, which can be streamed exclusively on Apple TV.

Listen to the players’ playlists below:

Hany Mukhtar:

Luciano Acosta:

Denis Bouanga:

Cucho Hernández: