D.C. United will head to Banc of California Stadium to face Los Angeles Football Club for the first time in their history Saturday night sporting a strong record against expansion sides.
As a charter member of Major League Soccer, the Black-and-Red have welcomed numerous teams into the league, to the tune of a 22-10-3 record against teams in their inaugural season. Last year, United dominated newcomers Atlanta United, going a perfect 3-0 against the upstart squad.
Though the Black-and-Red will have history on their side, they will be facing a tough test in LA. LAFC currently occupy second place in the Western Conference with a 6-3-2 record behind Sporting Kansas City. They fell in their previous match 2-1 against the Portland Timbers.
Since moving into Banc of California Stadium, LAFC have gone undefeated with a 2-0-2 record at their new home. United will be looking to provide them with their first home loss in club history on Saturday.
The expansion side will be without a few key players on Saturday as the 2018 FIFA World Cup approaches. Walker Zimmerman (United States) and Omar Gaber (Egypt) will be out on international duty, while Mexican forward Carlos Vela and Belgium defender Laurent Ciman will be making what could be their last MLS appearances before joining their respective international camps.
Regardless of the outcome, United have seen the league grow by leaps and bounds since 1996. And as the Black-and-Red welcome another club into the fold, they will look to remind them of the original winning tradition in Major League Soccer.
