Alvaro Saborio is a known commodity. He comes with a goal-scorer’s mentality and an MLS track record — but also something to prove.
In short, he perfectly fits the D.C. United blueprint.
The United front office has gotten steals on a slew of out-of-favor MLS veterans since the start of the 2014 season while minimizing acquisitions from abroad. The likes of Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, Davy Arnaud, Chris Rolfe and Fabian Espindola led the club to first place in the Eastern Conference last season and the same position midway through this campaign.
“The good thing about dealing with guys in our league is we know exactly who they are,” coach Ben Olsen said. “It’s a bit of a philosophy that we have here.”
Acquired from Real Salt Lake last week in exchange for injury-plagued midfielder Luis Silva, Saborio marks the latest move within that approach.
The 33-year-old has scored 63 goals in 127 games since entering the league in 2010. The 6-foot Saborio also gives United the target forward option it has missed with Eddie Johnson sidelined all season by a heart condition.
But Saborio could use a fresh start. With three goals in 14 games, his production this season is down to the point that he likely was facing a battle for his starting spot with RSL. He’s also coming off a CONCACAF Gold Cup stint with Costa Rica that saw him play just 108 minutes in four games.
“I’m eager to start this next phase of my career, happy to be here with what’s a very good team,” Saborio said. “I’m eager to embrace this opportunity.”
Although United sits atop the Eastern Conference at 10-7-5, the team is 17th out of 20 MLS clubs with 1.09 goals scored per game. While Espindola and Rolfe offer creativity and Jairo Arrieta is a skilled poacher, none of those forward options is a true No. 9 like Saborio.
“We know he can occupy center backs,” Olsen said. “His running in behind is good, he still moves very well, he’s a big body threat on set pieces, plays simple, tries to connect the game for us, and his workrate is great. His response, the way he leads our first line of defense, is something that will help us. I think he fits us, but time will tell.”
Aiding Saborio’s acclimation is his familiarity with two of his potential forward partners. While Saborio has sporadically played with Arrieta on the Costa Rican national team, he has extensive experience alongside Espindola.
From 2010 to 2012, Espindola and Saborio formed Salt Lake’s first-choice strike tandem. RSL qualified for the MLS playoffs all three seasons and made a run to the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2011, with Saborio’s physical presence giving Espindola free reign to take on a more creative role.
“Anytime Fabi can match up with a true No. 9 that stays central, he excels in that spot,” Olsen said. “We want to get Fabi the freedom to go out wide and add extra numbers and create because, in some ways, he is our best creator, our best passer. A guy like Sabo allows him to do that.”
Added Espindola: “It’s great to have him here. He’s strong, he’s big, he’s good in the air, and he’s going to fight for 90-plus minutes.”
Considering United’s aging core of veterans, trading the 26-year-old Silva for Saborio underlines the club’s intention to win right now. After United capped its tremendous 2014 campaign with an early playoff exit, there is hope that Saborio is the missing link necessary for a prolonged postseason run.
“The intensity, the eagerness they have to stay on top of the table, that’s obviously exciting,” Saborio said. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”
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