If you’ve read any of the previews for this weekend’s matchup against St. Louis, you know that this will be the third meeting between these two clubs in 2025. Yes, that’s in all competitions, with the second of those matchups coming in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. Regardless of why we were playing them, though, this impending tertiary exchange got me thinking: Haven’t we played at least one team three — or more — times almost every season?
In a league that’s ballooned all the way up to 30 teams across two conferences, it feels like it should be impossible to play any single team more than twice a year. But we do things differently here in MLS, and I’ve got the stats to prove it. Before we dive into my findings, I feel the pull of the necessary clarifier that sits atop every one of my more mathematically based articles: Any and all statistical inaccuracies herein are purely my fault. That said, I’d love to see you do better. LET’S GET ON WITH IT.
History Comes in Threes
I personally went through Minnesota United’s entire MLS history to see how many times we’ve faced a team three or more times in the same season. My calculations spanned across all competitions, from regular season matches to cup competitions and even playoffs. I did not, however, include friendlies, because those are glorified training sessions. Don’t get me wrong, they’re fun, but Storylines only deals with serious business.
You may be surprised to hear that since joining the league in 2017, your Loons have played the same team 3+ times in a single season a total of 29 times. Is it just me, or is that absurd? There are so many teams in this league; surely, there’s a reason. In 2017, MLS only had 22 teams, so maybe it made sense back then. Since the Black and Blue joined the league, at least one new team has joined every year, with the exception of 2024. Despite the ever-increasing league size, the repeat fixtures have only gotten more frequent with time.
Every year, the Loons have played at least two different clubs 3+ times. In 2019, though, that number swelled to four, due mostly to the run to that season’s U.S. Open Cup final. That number pales in comparison to 2021, though, when MNUFC faced EIGHT different opponents at least three times. The post-COVID schedule was designed to be more insulated in the wake of the pandemic, making for a rather dull season.
Just last season, the Loons faced Seattle, SKC, and the Galaxy three times apiece, completing an impressive season sweep over the nicest rivals down in Kansas City. They took on RSL an insane four times — all of which ended in draws — including their playoff series that saw the Loons advance on penalties.
More Numbers For You (You’re Welcome)
I spent so much time gathering these; I’m sharing them with you whether you like it or not. Of the 29 times that the Loons have played a team 3+ times, they’ve completed just five undefeated sets. Two of those sets were three-for-threes, as they beat Houston three times in 2021 and did the same to SKC just last year. They’ve got a chance to increase the tally of both those categories this year, with this weekend’s match against St. Louis offering a chance to string together three wins over CITY. The U.S. Open Cup Semifinal scheduled for September will also be the third time that your Loons face Austin this year, who they’ve already beaten and drawn once.
They’ve played SKC more than any other team since joining the top division, playing them at least three times in six of the last eight seasons for a total of 19 competitive matches. Houston comes in at a close second, having taken on the Loons 18 times since they joined MLS. Every other team that they’ve played 3+ times has likewise been from the Western Conference, which I’m sure is quite shocking to hear.
And that’s it. Now that it’s all laid out, there’s not as much info as I thought there was. Honestly, it’s kind of demoralizing; I counted for so long. And for what? Ah, yes, to teach you, you wonderful Loons fan. Did all that math get you hyped for Saturday’s match? I sure hope so. Soccer is math, after all.
