The storied history between D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City continues Saturday, March 4, when the clubs meet for the 54th time since Major League Soccer’s inception in 1996. In addition to being one of the league’s oldest matchups, D.C. United-Kansas City is also one of Major League Soccer’s most competitive matchups. The Black-and-Red have a slim head-to-head advantage over their fellow founding member, leading Kansas City by a record of 21-20-12.
Last season’s match against Kansas City was one of United’s biggest wins of the year. Both sides contested for control but struggled to create opportunities in rain-drenched Children’s Mercy Park. The teams remained in gridlock for the vast majority of the match, until D.C. finally found a breakthrough with just four minutes remaining. Alhaji Kamara made his MLS debut and entered the game as United’s final substitute only to net the game-winning goal a mere 33 seconds later. Kamara’s goal was the fastest-ever MLS debut goal, and it gave D.C. their first road win of the season.
The most high-stakes clash and the only postseason meeting between the MLS charter members came in the 2004, when the Black-and-Red faced Kansas City in the MLS Cup finals. United’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kansas City secured D.C.’s fourth MLS Cup and the team’s first since 1999.
The Black-and-Red have been particularly strong against Kansas City in recent years. United have not fallen to Kansas City since 2013, and they have not fallen to Kansas City in RFK Stadium since March of 2012. The Black-and-Red have enjoyed home field advantage against Kansas City over the years, conceding only six defeats in Kansas City’s 20 visits to D.C.
Saturday’s match will be the eighth time D.C. and Kansas City meet to open the regular season, and the fifth time Kansas City visits RFK Stadium for United’s home opener. United and Kansas City each have two wins in RFK openers, but the Black-and-Red have dropped their last five season-opening matches to Kansas City.
Saturday will be the only time D.C. faces their inter-conference rival this season. A win in the home opener would give United their second consecutive win over Kansas City, and would give the Black-and-Red the momentum they want to carry through their final season in RFK Stadium.
