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10 Biggest MLS Rivalries of All Time: 2023 Edition

biggest MLS rivalries

What are the biggest MLS rivalries of all time? Major League Soccer is becoming one of the best soccer leagues in the world and a major reason for this is because of the rivalries the league has created.

Biggest MLS Rivalries

Major League Soccer has increased from 12 teams in 2005 to 29 teams in 2023. More teams means more derbies which continues to grow the league into one of the best in the world. Let’s take a look at the 10 biggest MLS rivalries.

10. FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire

The Brimstone Cup isn’t what it once was, but it’s still one of the biggest MLS rivalries. The first fan-driven trophy, it was created in 2001 between Chicago’s Section 8 and Dallas’ Inferno supporter groups.

Both teams were successful at the time, and Dallas (who were known as the Burn at the time) were disgruntled that Chicago somewhat copied their name.

Since the Dallas-Chicago rivalry began, franchises in Houston, New England, Washington and Columbus have formed even bigger rivalries for the two clubs. Past fans were so invested in this rivalry, it still continues on and has a special place in the hearts of both sets of supporters.

9. New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC

Named after the river that runs through New York, the Hudson River Derby is fought between the two clubs representing America’s largest city. Initially the rivalry’s intensity fell flat as Red Bull dominated games in the earlier days.

Social media has been used in particular by both sets of fans to trade insults, and Red Bulls have cut NYCFC fan ticket allocations in the past because of fan behaviour. There is a need though for more high stakes games between the clubs to create an even bigger rivalry.

8. FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo

The Texas Derby sees two of America’s biggest cities facing off against each other. One of the best MLS rivalries, competitive games between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo started back in 2006 when Dallas joined the league.

An evenly matched rivalry historically, the winner takes home one of the most unique trophies in world soccer – a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon called the El Capitán.

7. Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

The two Mountain West giants Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids have created one of the biggest MLS derbies. Born out of geographical closeness, Real Salt Lake’s dominance over Colorado has fuelled the Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry.

Real Salt Lake fans have also built a reputation of rowdiness over the years. The rivalry was ignited ever since a 2006 game which Colorado won over Real Salt Lake.

Salt Lake fans threw debris onto the field and taunted Colorado players throughout the game. Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni controversially retaliated by celebrating infront of opposition fans.

6. Toronto FC vs. CF Montreal

The clubs from Canada’s two largest cities have created one of the biggest MLS rivalries. Toronto FC and CF Montreal compete in what is known as the Canadian Classique, Two Solitudes Derby or the 410 Derby.

The cultural differences between the historically English-Protestant Toronto and the French-Catholic Montreal has set the foundations for one of the fiercest rivalries, and both sets of fans cannot stand each other.

5. FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew

When FC Cincinnati joined the league in 2019 it helped create one of the biggest MLS rivalries with Columbus. The Hell is Real Derby, also known as the Ohio derby, might be one of the newest rivalries but it’s fast becoming one of the best.

The name of the derby originated from an Interstate 71 sign, just south of Columbus, which can be seen when driving toward Cincinnati. The sign reads “Hell is Real”, and while intended to scare people into Christianity, it inspired the name for one of the biggest growing rivalries in the MLS.

4. LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes

The LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes battle it out in the California Clásico, a battle between North and South California. Considered one of the most historical rivalries in the league, it’s an intense one with a lot of feeling. Fans often taunt each other with tifos and chants, and are often separated by security during games.

In a sign of just how big the fixture is, San Jose’s home games are moved to the 50,000-plus seat Stanford Stadium, as PayPal Park only has a capacity of 18,000.

3. DC United vs. New York Red Bulls

DC United and New York Red Bulls were always going to have one of the biggest MLS rivalries considering Washington and New York are fierce rivalries in the NFL and NHL.

Since the fixture was first played in 2002, the Atlantic Cup has developed into one of the biggest games on the Major League Soccer calendar.

Both clubs are among the largest and have some of the oldest supporter groups in the league. In 2006 DC United’s Alecko Eskandarian fuelled the rivalry when he celebrated a goal by sipping and spitting out a Red Bull energy drink.

2. LA Galaxy vs. LAFC

The rivalry between Los Angeles’ two clubs LA Galaxy and LAFC is one of the leagues two crosstown derbies, alongside the Hudson River derby. Known as the El Trafico – a play on LA’s notorious traffic – both clubs are separated only by a 12-mile stretch of freeway with both sets of fans resenting each other.

Games between both LA clubs are often high in drama, high scoring and incredibly close. In the first ever El Trafico game in 2018, LAFC gave up a 3-0 lead, with one of the best MLS players of all time, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, scoring the goal of the season and an injury-time winner to lead the Galaxy to a 4-3 win.

1. Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers

The Battle of Cascadia between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers is the biggest rivalry in the MLS. Both Pacific Northwest giants create one of the greatest gameday atmospheres which is on par with the biggest soccer rivalries and European derbies.

Seattle and Portland have always been geographical rivals which has transcended into sports. The two have been soccer rivals since 1975 during the NASL days and there’s a deeply hostile and bitter resentment between both sets of fans, with away games always a daunting trip for the away team.

Matt Ieriko

Matt Ieriko is a freelance writer who’s evolved his lifelong passion for sport into the creation of WolfgangSport.com in 2020 – an American sports blog covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. As an Australian, he’s always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America.

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