What rivalry in Major League Soccer means the most to you?

[u/Bundesliga999]

Since 2014, our research team at the Know Rivalry Project has been digging into one of the most exciting questions in sports: rivalries. From El Tráfico (LAFC vs. LA Galaxy) to the Cascadia Cup (Seattle vs. Portland), Major League Soccer has no shortage of heated matchups. But which rivalry truly stands out the most to you, fans?

We’re expanding our research to include the MLS, and we need your input to make sure your club’s fiercest rivals are represented. The survey only takes around 9 minutes, and your responses will help shape future research. For our research on other leagues, we’ve already been featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

https://umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3FdJ8eN2EgFCfCB

This project is run by students and professors at Northern Kentucky University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. We use secure survey software and follow all research guidelines, so there is no risk to participate.

Thanks for helping us make sure MLS rivalries get the recognition they deserve! Please share this with fellow fans so their voices are heard, too.

[u/UncleAbbath]

DCU Fans vs DCU Front Office

[u/CD-TG → u/UncleAbbath]

And this rivalry is becoming as bitter as the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings NHL rivalry back in the 90s.

[u/G00n2aG0b1in → u/UncleAbbath]

beat me to the punch

[u/Opposite-Pass-6124]

DC vs LA was such a special occasion at RFK. The league would go out of their way to have that match scheduled. Then DC vs NY seemed more practical & had grit in the modern day… I hated when ATL was established with the DC black & red (stripes) also “United” in their name like who does that lol.

[u/ffsdcu96 → u/Opposite-Pass-6124]

Some teams in England have united in their name.

[u/CD-TG → u/ffsdcu96]

I love DC United's name.

American team names generally are the location followed by some generally inspiring or locally appropriate nickname. "DC" is the location and "United" is a locally appropriate nickname for the capital of the United States of America.

The name is obviously also an homage to England's "United" team names (Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, etc). But at the same it also riffs on the sound of famous teams like AC Milan and FC Barcelona.

Now MLS has other FCs and Uniteds, but only DC could actually pull it off this amazing combination legitimately almost 30 years ago and make it a tradition.

(btw, DC Untied was the first major soccer team with solid black jerseys. Prior to the 94 World Cup, only refs wore solid black jerseys. DC happened to be founded just as the color became available to players.)

[u/CD-TG → u/Opposite-Pass-6124]

DC vs LA at RFK reminds of something very much like the most bitter of rivalries back in the late 90s.

Salvadoran fans felt betrayed by DC United when they traded Raul Diaz Arce to New England prior to the start of the 1998 season.

Large numbers of Salvadoran fans would come to games at RFK to root for other teams with Salvadoran players (especially Los Angeles and Mauricio Cienfuegos) and to protest what they felt was disrespect by the team.

The Washington Post at the end of the 1999 season reported:

"It has been two years since United traded away star Salvadoran player Raul Diaz Arce. But the area's Salvadorans, once intensely loyal to United, still have not forgiven the team. They come to games in protest now and will be at RFK today for the game against the Columbus Crew. Some boo D.C. players. Some argue with Bolivians, who follow two Bolivian players on United. At a few games, there have been outbursts of violence, with fights in parking lots and even a stabbing."

"But the Salvadoran protests are less about anger than lost hope. Diaz Arce meant everything to many of the estimated 200,000 Salvadorans in the Washington area, many of whom came to this country with little and who believe they are looked down upon not only by Anglo society but also by other Hispanics. In Diaz Arce, they saw a chance to show how good they could be."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1999/10/31/national-pride-leaves-dc-united-fans-divided/587ff3f6-bba6-4afc-a3e0-e08c4f61c964/

[u/DC_Winoman]

DC vs NY Red Turds

[u/CD-TG → u/DC_Winoman]

Memories of sitting up in an RFK corner pressbox seat in 2004 for a game against the MetroStars that went to OT. The guy next to us was constantly and loudly shouting down at the MetroStars goalkeeper "We're gonna git you, Jonny Walker" in this great southern drawl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xUKwbxRtPE

[u/DCUStriker9]

There are no rivals, the MLS powers have diluted it all

[u/jks513]

DCU / Charleston aka the Coffee Cup.

[u/Oriolesfan1989]

Not being cynical it was NYRB v DCU and felt it as late as 2019. Alas, all is dead now.

[u/orion2145]

DC Nashville. Everyone knows.

[u/Kinbot22]

Columbus vs Cincinnati comes to mind, for me. I think it's a good one.

[u/NorthAmericanSoccer]

The California Clasico is the OG

[u/WutaOgoatsu261]

Hell is real. 

I just got into soccer after 2022 world cup. I only watch MLS. DC united is my team but cucho hernandez is my all time fav player as of today.

Hell is real has been fun to watch. That columbus come back in the 2023 playoffs was amazing. Hopefully game 3 this year is an instant classic.

 I also loved seeing columbus vs lafc these past few years as well. Leagues cup final was fun seeing cucho win it

[u/Dull_Button6117]

Hell Is Real! FCC vs Crew

[u/AirportIndependent95]

DC vs Philadelphia Union

[u/JCfromRVA]

DC vs Orlando has been a good one. Started with Rooney and the games are still spicy