United play MLS expansion side Minnesota United on July 29 in the Twin Cities for the first time in history. The match, which marks the end of a July in which United played four matches away from home, is United’s third against an expansion side this year. The Black-and-Red have historically fared extremely well against new teams in MLS, going 21-9-3 and scoring 101 goals all-time against expansion teams in their first season.
Almost every expansion team since 1998 has lost at least one game to the Black-and-Red during their inaugural season. Back in 2005, United were in several matchups against Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake, both teams were starting their inaugural seasons. United and Chivas met twice, resulting in two wins for the Black-and-Red (both shutouts). RSL, meanwhile, also lost both games they played against United; United won 5-1 on August 30, and 3-1 on October 5.
United also have a great record against Eastern Conference foes during their first seasons. In 2007, Toronto FC’s first season, United played the Canadians three times (all wins) with a +5 goal difference against Toronto in their first season. In 2015, two more Eastern Conference foes, NYCFC and Orlando City SC, began their first seasons. United and NYCFC met twice, resulting in one win against NYC. United won two games against Orlando that year as well, scoring three goals altogether with one shutout.
Given United’s past against expansion teams in their inaugural season, there is a promising result looming over the D.C. United vs Minnesota United matchup.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated that United are 21-6-3 against expansion teams in their first season.
