DC UNITED AND SAN JOSE REKINDLE THE FLAME OF THE INAUGURAL MATCH

MLS 30th Anniversary: DC United and San Jose Rekindle the Flame of the Inaugural Match

Written by Chuky Kevin Nwaochei

As Major League Soccer celebrates its 30th anniversary, all eyes will be on California this Sunday, April 6, when D.C. United travels west to take on the San Jose Earthquakes in a match that carries more than just three points—it carries history.

It was April 6, 1996, when the league’s first-ever match kicked off between these same two teams. Back then, San Jose was known as the Clash, and D.C. United was the new kid on the block from the nation’s capital. The Clash emerged victorious in that historic showdown, sealing a 1-0 win and etching their name into the MLS history books.

Fast forward to 2025, and the stakes are different, but the echoes of the past remain strong. This isn’t just a regular season clash; it’s a symbolic rematch, a nod to the roots of a league that has grown in stature, viewership, and talent over three decades.

Both teams come into the match with something to prove. D.C. United is licking its wounds from a narrow 2-1 home defeat to the Columbus Crew, while the Earthquakes will look to build on a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders.

The battle on the pitch promises to be intense, with two star forwards poised to take center stage. For D.C. United, all eyes will be on Christian Benteke, whose strength and experience in front of goal make him a constant threat. On the other side, San Jose will look to Cristian Arango, a player whose flair and finishing ability can turn the tide in an instant.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter who remembers the original matchup or a newer fan witnessing MLS’s evolution, Sunday’s game is more than a fixture—it’s a full-circle moment. A celebration of where the league began, and a testament to how far it’s come.

History will meet the present under the California sun. Don’t blink—this one’s for the books.