Paderborn took a 1-0 win in their friendly at D.C. United. - © Max Ellerbrake

bundesliga

Recap Paderborn's trip to the USA

01.10.2026

Paderborn traveled to Washington, D.C., during the first international break of the 2026/27 season, with the Bundesliga side beating Major League Soccer club D.C. United in a friendly to end a busy week filled with off-field activities.

Recap Darmstadt's trip to Texas here!

Paderborn's stay in the US capital ran from 25 September to 1 October, with additional marketing activities having also taken place.

The North Rhine-Westphalian club secured promotion to the Bundesliga for the third time in their history in 2025/26 after beating Wolfsburg in the play-off.

Recap the tour here:

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Watch: Kids supporting Paderborn

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Watch: Paderborn signing autographs for American fans

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Watch: The winning goal...

Penalty seals Paderborn win

Paderborn took a 1-0 win at D.C. United in the friendly encounter on Tuesday evening, with Gabriel Vidović stepping up to convert a penalty just before half-time after Deniz Zeitler was fouled.

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Watch: Swapping jerseys at the school

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Watch: Excitement on an elementary school visit

Hefti's Hamburg past

Swiss full-back Silvan Hefti, who joined D.C. United in January, made 19 Bundesliga 2 appearances for Hamburg in their 2024/25 promotion season - which they finished four points ahead of Paderborn in second.

30 September: Matchday

At 7:30pm local time (1:30 am CEST Thursday morning), Paderborn are to face D.C. United, who are currently 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference and are fresh off a 3-3 draw with Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps, in which the former Bayern legend scored one of the six goals.

Time for sightseeing

After training and media duties were completed on Tuesday, Paderborn took the chance to tour the US Capitol.

Limbering up for Wednesday's friendly

Paderborn also got a feel for the pitch at D.C. United’s home stadium, Audi Field, where the friendly will take place on Wednesday.

More from Kettemann

"In terms of trainings and tactics, this trip is not the best solution. But for me there is more than tactics and training. You can grow as a team when you do something like this. It’s something that connects us even more. For me, that’s one of the most fundamental things in team sports to have that."

29 September: Pre-match press conference

Ahead of Wednesday's friendly against D.C. United, Paderborn head coach Ralf Kettemann addressed local media: “I have many first impressions. Everything is bigger here. It’s tough for a German brain to get used to bigger cars, buildings and stadiums. It’s been very interesting. So far, it’s nice. The headline for this trip for us is to get an experience. You don’t get this chance every year.”

NFL, football then college football

After their work on D.C. United's training pitch, Paderborn visited the University of Maryland with a tour given by none other than Sasho Cirovsky, coach of the Maryland Terrapins college football team.

28 September: Back to work

After enjoying Sunday's NFL excursion, spirits were high as Ralf Kettemann's side returned to the training pitch on Monday, as preparations continued for the friendly encounter against partner club D.C. United on Wednesday.

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Paderborn sample NFL atmosphere

Paderborn's players got a taste of the NFL atmosphere on their US tour as they took in the Washington Commanders' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, with the home side edging things 33-31.

Still to come on Sunday

Paderborn head coach Ralf Kettemann and his team will be watching the Seattle Seahawks play against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This comes after a small delegation of players met NFL star Nick Emmanwori for a jersey swap on Saturday.

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Watch: Paderborn players try their hand at American football

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Watch: Paderborn meet the Seattle Seahawks

Double session + gym

If you thought Paderborn were in town just to see the sights, think again! Two intensive training sessions are scheduled for today, followed by some work in the gym.

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Watch: First training session coming up

26 September: Limbering up

The players and staff arrived safely on Friday afternoon local time, and after resting at the team hotel, they were back to the grind on Saturday morning. Santiago Castenda (pictured) was all smiles as he warmed up back in his homeland.

25 September: Next stop: USA!

The Paderborn delegation are all set for their trip to the US capital city!

Homecoming for Castaneda

The trip will be particularly special for Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castaneda, whois from Tampa, Florida – just over two hours by plane from Washington. “The guys here in Paderborn have become my second home," he said. "Now the two sides get to know each other.”

"It will be a a very special experience"

"We're really looking forward to the trip to the U.S. and the opportunity to represent our sports club, the Bundesliga brand, and German soccer,” said Paderborn sporting director Sebastian Lange (pictured). “The match against D.C. United is a great opportunity. The days in Washington, D.C., will also be a very special experience for the team and the entire delegation. Among other things, we'll visit local institutions and immerse ourselves in the daily lives of the people there.”

What else is planned?

Paderborn will sample a different type of football on Sunday when they attend the Washington Commanders’ NFL clash with Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. A visit to the University of Maryland is also on the itinerary, alongside tours of Garrison Elementary School, the Capitol and the White House.

Squad set to arrive on Friday

Early on Friday morning, the Paderborn squad and staff members headed to Frankfurt Airport. Set to arrive in Washington, D.C. on Friday afternoon, their first order of business will be to adjust to the new time zone and acclimatise at the team hotel. Two intensive training sessions are then scheduled for Saturday.

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Watch: Paderborn vs Minnesota United on their last US tour

Paderborn's most recent US tour took place in June 2022, when they travelled to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Chicago.

28 players bound for Washington

Ralf Kettemann has named a 28-man squad for Paderborn’s US tour. Laurin Ulrich and Luka Duric miss the trip after earning maiden call-ups to Germany’s U21s and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s senior side, respectively. Marcel Hoffmeier and Timur Gayret are travelling, however, and will continue their rehabilitation in Washington, D.C., as they work towards their return.

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Watch: Paderborn depart for their US tour

Paderborn to play D.C. United

Paderborn are set to take on MLS side D.C. United at Audi Field on Wednesday, September 30, as part of their US tour. Kick-off is at 7.30pm local time (1.30am CEST on 1 October). The friendly forms part of their week-long stay in Washington, D.C., with training sessions and community visits also on the agenda.

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Watch: Paderborn 3-1 Hoffenheim - highlights

First win secured

Ralf Kettemann's team head to the US on a high after registering their first top-flight victory of the new season on Matchday 4. Goals from Santiago Castaneda, Stefano Marino and Steffen Tigges helped secure a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim, lifting the club into 12th place after four rounds of fixtures.

Welcome along!

Paderborn are jetting off to Washington, D.C. during the first international break of the 2026/27 campaign. Keep up to date with all the latest news, events and friendlies from the newly promoted Bundesliga club’s visit to the US capital, which runs from 25 September to 1 October.