As reported by Goal.com Thursday morning, Real Salt Lake has traded striker Alvaro Saborio to D.C. United in exchange for Luis Silva in a move that clears cap space for the Utah side while bringing in a promising young player.
The Saborio trade comes after the Costa Rican missed a critical match against Sporting Kansas City on June 21. The team had expected Saborio, RSL’s all-time leading scorer, to have returned from the wedding of Costa Rican national teammate Keylor Navas in time for the game but did not show up.
The trade also coincides with the emergence of striker Sebastian Jaime in the center of RSL’s new three-striker formation. With Jaime’s emerging offensive output and the solid hold-up play from backup striker Devon Sandoval, the team likely viewed the position as overstocked and perhaps too pricy.
Saborio’s move to D.C. United reunites him with former RSL man Fabian Espindola.
Silva comes to RSL in his fourth year in MLS, having previously played for Toronto FC. The 26-year-old midfielder logged 11 goals and 4 assists for D.C. last season, but has seen his play time diminish in 2015 after dealing with hamstring injuries since the end of last season.
(image courtesy of mlssoccer.com)
