Honestly, if you looked at the history books of MLS, you’d expect D.C. United to be the ones bossing this fixture. They’re the "flagship franchise," the team with the four MLS Cups and a trophy cabinet that actually requires a structural engineer to maintain. But soccer is weird. Since Charlotte FC joined the league in 2022, this matchup has turned into a bit of a nightmare for the Black-and-Red.
Basically, Charlotte has spent the last few years treating D.C. United like a favorite sparring partner. As we head into the 2026 season, the dynamic hasn't shifted much. Charlotte FC vs D.C. United has become one of those games where the stats tell a very specific, lopsided story—one that D.C. fans are probably sick of hearing.
The 2025 Season: A Total Charlotte Takeover
If you want to understand why D.C. United fans might be clinching their teeth every time they see a blue jersey, you only have to look at 2025. It was a rough year for D.C. against "The Crown."
Charlotte managed a clean sweep in the MLS regular season. They took three points at home in July with a 2-1 win thanks to a massive brace from Pep Biel. Then, they went into D.C.’s own backyard at Audi Field in October and ground out a 1-0 win. That October game was peak MLS chaos. D.C. United basically imploded, picking up two red cards in the first half hour.
First, goalkeeper Luis Barraza got sent off for a handball outside the box. Ten minutes later, Aarón Herrera lost his head and gave Wilfried Zaha a reason to go down. Zaha—being the absolute menace he is—then buried the resulting free kick into the top corner. Playing 11-on-9 for sixty minutes is a death sentence, and while D.C. fought hard, they never really had a chance.
Interestingly, the only time D.C. got the better of Charlotte in 2025 was in the U.S. Open Cup. That game was a total shootout that ended 3-3 after extra time, with D.C. finally winning on penalties. It’s kinda funny that the "original" tournament is where D.C. found their grit, even if they couldn't translate it to the league table.
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Head-to-Head: By the Numbers
The all-time record is starting to look a bit grim for the folks in the capital. As of the start of 2026, Charlotte leads the MLS regular-season series with a 5-3-1 advantage.
- Charlotte FC Wins: 5
- D.C. United Wins: 3
- Draws: 1
Charlotte has outscored D.C. 6-1 over their last four league meetings. That’s not just "getting lucky"; that’s tactical dominance. Under Dean Smith, Charlotte has built a reputation for being incredibly hard to break down at Bank of America Stadium. They play with a specific kind of "blue-collar" intensity that seems to rattle D.C.’s more traditional setup.
The Wilfried Zaha Factor
You can't talk about Charlotte FC vs D.C. United without mentioning Wilfried Zaha. Since arriving in the Queen City, he has been a nightmare for D.C.’s backline. In the 2025 season alone, he was the difference-maker in both league wins. He has this way of drawing fouls in dangerous areas—as Herrera found out the hard way—and his clinical finishing is often the only thing separating the two sides in tight games.
Recent Roster Moves and the "Traitor" Narrative
Soccer is a small world, and the 2026 preseason added some spicy context to this matchup. In January 2026, Charlotte FC acquired Austrian left-back David Schnegg via waivers.
Why does this matter? Because Schnegg was D.C. United's iron man in 2025.
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He led D.C. in matches played (35) and starts (34). He was their most consistent defensive presence and tied for the team lead in assists. Seeing him move to a direct Eastern Conference rival—especially one that has been beating them regularly—is a tough pill for the D.C. faithful to swallow.
Charlotte also bolstered their squad through the 2026 SuperDraft, picking up Will Cleary from Stanford and Luke Adams from Tulsa. While these are rookies, they add to a defensive depth that D.C. United has struggled to match recently.
Tactics: Why D.C. Keeps Falling Short
D.C. United's current coach, Rene Wieler, has tried to make the team "harder to beat," but the metrics show a disconnect. In their recent 6-0 drubbing by Philadelphia, D.C. actually had decent underlying stats (1.60 xG). They create chances, but they lack the clinical edge that Charlotte possesses.
Charlotte, on the other hand, is a team of moments. They don't need 60% possession to hurt you. They rely on the veteran leadership of Ashley Westwood in the middle and the creative spark of Pep Biel. Biel finished the 2025 season with 17 goal contributions, surpassing the club's previous single-season records. When you have a playmaker like that feeding Zaha, you don't need much "luck" to win games.
What to Watch for in 2026
When these two meet again on August 22, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium, the stakes will be massive. For D.C., it’s about pride and breaking the "Charlotte Curse." For Charlotte, it’s about maintaining their status as the new kings of the South.
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If you're planning to follow this rivalry (and yes, it is becoming a rivalry), keep an eye on these three things:
- The Schnegg Revenge Game: How does David Schnegg handle defending against his former teammates? If he shuts down D.C.'s right flank, it’s game over.
- Discipline: D.C. cannot afford to go down to 10 men again. Their recent history against Charlotte is littered with cards and VAR drama.
- The Midfield Battle: Watch the duel between Westwood and whoever D.C. slots into that holding role. Whoever controls the tempo of the first 20 minutes usually wins this fixture.
Charlotte’s ability to "spoil the fun" for D.C. has become a recurring theme. Whether it’s at home in front of 40,000 screaming fans or in the quiet intensity of Audi Field, The Crown just seems to have the tactical blueprint for beating the Black-and-Red.
If you want to stay on top of the next match, make sure your Apple TV subscription is active for the MLS Season Pass. Given the history of red cards and 3-3 draws, this isn't a game you want to miss. Keep a close eye on the injury reports leading up to August, particularly for Adilson Malanda, whose absence in late 2025 showed some cracks in the Charlotte defense that D.C. failed to exploit.
Your next move: Check the official MLS standings to see where both teams sit. If Charlotte is in the top four and D.C. is fighting for a play-in spot, expect the August match to be even more physical than usual. Look up the ticket availability early; Bank of America Stadium usually sells out when D.C. comes to town.