D.C. United was in need of some sort of two-way midfield help after Perry Kitchen said that he would not re-sign for the Black-and-Red at the end of 2015 (and eventually went to Scotland side Heart of Midlothian FC). They were unsuccessful in their quest to sign Antonio Nocerino from AC Milan after Orlando City tampered with D.C.’s pursuit acquired his rights and signed him to a contract, so D.C. looked inside the league.
Enter Marcelo Sarvas. Then 34, D.C. acquired his rights from the Colorado Rapids (the Rapids said that Jermaine Jones was on their radar at the time but that other factors were at play in the decision).