WASHINGTON (Nov. 17, 2015) – Forward Álvaro Saborío has agreed to a contract extension with D.C. United. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Saborío had four goals in 15 appearances (11 starts) in the regular season and the MLS Cup Playoffs for D.C. United in 2015. The veteran forward scored in his debut for the Black-and-Red on July 26 following his acquisition from Real Salt Lake in exchange for Luis Silva. Saborío also scored in D.C. United’s first-ever match at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC on Aug. 13. When the teams met again at RFK Stadium on Oct. 2, he scored the game-winning goal that clinched United’s berth in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement to retain Sabo for the 2016 season," D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper said. "He made an immediate impact when he joined us this summer and scored important goals down the stretch. We look forward to his continued contributions."
Saborío, 33, has been one of the most prolific forwards in MLS since his arrival in 2010. He is eighth all-time in scoring among active MLS players, with 67 goals and 13 assists in 139 appearances (121 starts) over six seasons, including four consecutive seasons in which he scored at least 11 goals (2010-13). In 2014, despite missing 118 days between MLS appearances due to a broken foot that cost him a chance to play in the FIFA World Cup, Saborío scored eight times, finishing two goals shy of a fifth straight season with double-digit goals, a feat accomplished by only three other players: Chris Wondolowski (2010-14), Carlos Ruiz (2002-06) and Juan Pablo Angel (2007-11). Saborío’s 52 goals from 2010-14 is second only to Wondolowski.
Saborío had an MLS career-high 17 goals in 2012 and is Real Salt Lake’s all-time leader in multiple offensive categories, including goals (63), game-winning goals (21), and average goals per 90 minutes (0.52). He had three goals in 14 matches this season prior to joining D.C. United.
Saborío has 35 career goals in 103 appearances for Costa Rica since his debut in 2002. He is a veteran of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and he most recently started in a 1-0 win over Haiti on Nov. 13. The Ticos will face Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, Panama, on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
