By JUSTIN FERGUSON
With just eight goals scored in 19 MLS matches this season, D.C. United needed to bring some firepower to their struggling offense.
On Tuesday, D.C. United did just that, acquiring 24-year-old midfielder Luis Silva from Toronto FC in exchange for an undisclosed amount of allocation money. According to the club, Silva will be available for selection as early as D.C. United’s friendly on Friday with Chivas de Guadalajara.
Silva will join Nick DeLeon and Casey Townsend as current D.C. United players who were taken early in the 2012 SuperDraft. The 24-year-old UC Santa Barbara product had five goals and five assists in his rookie season, but he has not scored in the 2013 campaign.
The move will free up some space for Toronto FC, who are on the verge of adding some attacking options in the international player market.
“Luis Silva is a fine player and an outstanding young man and this was a tough decision. But we are bringing in new attacking talent this window and Luis’ playing time would likely suffer,” TFC President and GM Kevin Payne told the team website. “This move helps give us more flexibility now and for the future. We wish Luis nothing but the best.”
Silva joins a midfield stacked with young talent, including Perry Kitchen, Nick DeLeon and recently-acquired Jared Jeffrey.
What do you think of this deal? See Silva making a difference in the young midfield of D.C. United? What do you think the next step is for Toronto FC?
Share your thoughts below.