D.C. United will host SC Paderborn 07 at Audi Field on Wednesday, September 30, in an international friendly between an MLS club and a newly promoted Bundesliga side. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C., during the FIFA international window.
The match is D.C. Uniteds only fixture between its trip to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on September 26 and its visit to Inter Miami CF on October 10. D.C. United enters the friendly with a 6-8-12 record and 30 points after a 3-3 draw at Vancouver.
D.C. United Enters Friendly After 3-3 Draw
Kimito Nono scored his first two MLS goals against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, opening the scoring in the 16th minute and equalizing in the 80th. The midfielder has two goals and two assists in eight starts for D.C. United.
Lucas Bartlett also scored in the Vancouver match, recording his fourth goal of the season in the 65th minute. Four of Bartletts six career MLS goals have come in 2026, including one in each of D.C. Uniteds last two matches.
Silvan Hefti has one goal and four assists in 23 starts during his first MLS season with D.C. United. He spent the 2024/25 season with Hamburger SV, which finished second in the 2. Bundesliga and earned promotion to the Bundesliga.
SC Paderborn 07 Brings Bundesliga Experience
SC Paderborn 07 enters the match in 12th place in the Bundesliga table after a 3-1 home victory over TSG Hoffenheim on September 20. The result marked the clubs first victory since promotion and ended an opening run of three matches without a goal.
Santiago CastaF1eda scored SC Paderborn 07s first Bundesliga goal in more than six years in the victory over TSG Hoffenheim. The 21-year-old American grew up in Tampa, Florida.
Steffen Tigges came off the bench to score SC Paderborn 07s third goal against TSG Hoffenheim. The club earned promotion for the third time in its history last season by defeating VfL Wolfsburg in the promotion and relegation playoff.
Paderborn Visit Includes Week-Long Stay
SC Paderborn 07 arrived in Washington on September 25 and is scheduled to remain through October 1. The club has paired the visit with community activities and marketing activities around the city.
SC Paderborn 07 also won eight consecutive matches last season, the longest winning run in the 2025/26 2. Bundesliga. The international friendly will take place between D.C. Uniteds MLS matches at Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Inter Miami CF.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
D.C. United will bring a recent 3-3 result and several notable individual performances into its Audi Field meeting with SC Paderborn 07. Nonos two-goal showing and Bartletts scoring form provide the main storylines for the MLS club.
SC Paderborn 07 arrives after its first Bundesliga victory since promotion. The international friendly gives both clubs a match during the FIFA international window without league points at stake.
Source: Original report
