D.C. United visit expansion side Atlanta United on Sunday for the clubs’ first matchup in history and the Black-and-Red’s first expansion match of the season. United’s last expansion side matchups came in 2015 against Orlando City SC and New York City FC, while the 2017 season features three meetings with Atlanta United and one visit to Minnesota United.
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In United's last campaign against expansion sides, the Black-and-Red met Major League Soccer additions Orlando City and New York City a total of five times in 2015, earning a record of 3-2 against the new clubs. United's first expansion match of 2015 and first-ever match against Orlando came on April 3 in the Citrus Bowl, where the Black-and-Red earned their second consecutive win and third win in four matches. A last-gasp Luis Silva goal in the 91st minute led to a 1-0 D.C. victory over the Lions.
Orlando traveled to RFK for the first time on May 13, and United again secured three points versus the expansion side, extending their unbeaten streak to eight matches. While the Lions struck first in the 11th minute, United netted two second-half goals to steal the win from Orlando and propel the Black-and-Red to first place in the Eastern Conference. The sides’ final meeting of 2015 ended in a 1-0 Orlando home victory.
United also split points in their two 2015 meetings with New York City. Ben Olsen's squad traveled to the Bronx for the first time on August 13 and suffered a 3-1 defeat, snapping the Black-and-Red's three-game win streak.
The Black-and-Red rebounded when New York City made their debut at RFK on October 2, though. A first-minute New York City goal immediately put United’s back against the wall, but the home team's continuous pressure ultimately paid off with a Black-and-Red equalizer in the 73rd minute and a game-winning goal deep into stoppage time. United’s first win over New York City officially qualified Olsen’s side for the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Now, the Black-and-Red prepare to meet the league’s newest clubs Atlanta United and Minnesota United, traveling to Bobby Dodd Stadium to face Atlanta for the first time this Sunday. Atlanta, led by Gerardo “Tata” Martino, have opened their inaugural season in strong fashion thanks to their feisty attack. While Atlanta’s 3-2-2 record is good enough for fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, Tata’s team boasts the best goal differential in the league (+9) and the second-most goals in the league (17).
Minnesota (2-4-2), on the other hand, struggled early in their debut but have since gained strength and gone unbeaten in three of their last four matches. Minnesota’s 24 conceded goals give the club the worst goals against and goal differential rates in Major League Soccer, but the Loons have steadily improved and picked up three points in each of their last two home matches.
The Black-and-Red will look to string together another winning record against expansion sides in their four meetings with Atlanta and Minnesota this season. Following Sunday’s match, United host Atlanta on June 21 and August 23, and travel to Minneapolis to meet the Loons on July 29.
