Real Salt Lake traded the club's all-time leading scorer Alvaro Saborio to D.C. United for midfielder Luis Silva on Thursday.
Saborio, 33, has scored 63 MLS goals for RSL since joining the club in 2010. He has scored three times so far this season.
"Alvaro was a legend with this club and we thank him for his time spent with RSL," RSL director Craig Waibel said. "But the time has come for us to evolve as a club and this trade is a great opportunity to add a talented player in Luis Silva who can bring a lot to this team."
The Costa Rica international scored at least 11 goals in his first four seasons with RSL, then found the net eight times last season despite missing half the season with a broken foot.
"Saborio has been a proven goal scorer throughout his career, especially in Major League Soccer," D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "He's a true No. 9 that will provide an immediate spark to our offense."
Silva, 26, has played for United for two and a half years, scoring 11 goals.
The midfielder has been hampered by injuries this season, scoring once in four starts.
The two teams are set to play each other Aug. 1.