On Thursday when Real Salt Lake announced the acquisition of midfielder Luis Silva in a trade with D.C. United, RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar noted Silva’s versatility. The 26-year-old had been used in several different roles while playing collegiately at UC-Santa Barbara. Since coming to Major League Soccer, that adaptability on the fly has served him well. Now in his third stop after stints with Toronto FC, who picked him fourth overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, and D.C. United, Silva has shown an ability to rapidly adjust to new teams and new situation.
“I’m a guy that adapts really quickly to the style of play of teams,” Silva said in meeting with the Salt Lake media on Saturday prior to RSL’s match with the Houston Dynamo. “I’m hoping this week to be good and ready.”
Silva has been hampered by injuries with D.C this season, but said he feels healthy and hopes to be ready to play on Friday when RSL hosts Sporting Kansas City. Having Silva fit and healthy would make him a great addition to the Salt Lake midfield.
In his two best years, he tallied five goals and five assists as a rookie in Toronto in 2012, then 11 goals and four assists last year with D.C. United. Even in half-a-season with D.C. in 2013 he notched three goals and two assists in 14 matches on a team that struggled to score goals.
One thing that may help him adjust to Real Salt Lake is a familiar face in Joao Plata. The two played together in 2012 with D.C. United and developed a good relationship based heavily on their mutually beneficial styles of play.
“The way we both play, it’s the same style. We like to pass and move and little combinations,” Silva said. “I think we know on the field where we are at all times. So I think that helped a lot.”
While Silva hopes to be ready for Friday’s match against Sporting, RSL’s next match after that would be a return to RFK Stadium in a road match against his former club D.C. United. For his part, Silva would like his debut to come at Rio Tinto Stadium.
“They have a great fanbase and I’m excited to be part of it,” he smiled.
