The MLS may be 30 years old, but that hasn’t stopped some fiery rivalries from sparking up and down the league. When two teams representing neighboring cities and competing fervent fanbases face off, the atmosphere reaches fever pitch.

If you’re an MLS fan, these rivalry showdowns are simply can’t-miss events each season. Read on for the biggest grudge matches that you should absolutely have circled on your calendar.

Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers – The Fight for Cascadia

The Seattle and Portland rivalry goes by the Cascadia Cup, named after the Pacific Northwest region both cities call home. As two of the MLS’s best supported teams, these matches are always packed with thousands of frenzied spectators.

The supporter groups behind each team, like Seattle’s Emerald City Supporters and Portland’s Timbers Army, have been known to trade plenty of barbs as well. Expect tifos insulting the opposing city and lots of verbal jousting from the stands when these two meet.

Notable Moments

• In 2013, Sounders forward Eddie Johnson scored an unforgettable sliding goal to earn a 1-0 Seattle win in front of over 66,000 fans.
• The Timbers once mockingly brought a chainsaw as a trophy when they came to Seattle as the rivalry was ascending.
• Portland’s home stadium Providence Park set an MLS attendance record at over 53,000 when the Timbers hosted Seattle in 2015.

LA Galaxy vs LAFC – The Battle for Los Angeles

Despite LAFC only joining the league in 2018, it didn’t take long for an intense crosstown clash to emerge versus the 5-time champion Galaxy. With Hollywood’s glitz and glamour in the backdrop, this “El Trafico” derby has quickly become a must-see event.

Both sides have attracted their share of star power, like Galaxy’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and LAFC’s Carlos Vela. When they share the field, fireworks are sure to follow just like the name of this contentious California contest implies.

Notable Moments

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first MLS hat trick for the Galaxy in El Trafico’s inaugural match, a 4–3 comeback win.
• In 2019, Vela struck back with his own hat trick to lead LAFC to a statement 3–2 victory.
• During 2020’s lone matchup, LAFC won 6-2 behind four second-half goals at an empty Banc of California Stadium.

New York Red Bulls vs NYCFC – Struggle for the Big Apple

NYC may be big enough for two MLS clubs, but that hasn’t dampened a New Jersey vs the City feud since NYCFC entered the league in 2015. Pride in representing the world’s biggest city raises the stakes each time.

Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey is always packed with vocal supporters seeming to celebrate every NYCFC misstep. However, NYCFC is the only team that’s managed to win a title so far between the two rivals.

Notable Moments

• During NYCFC’s first ever contest at Red Bull Arena, they snapped a six-match losing streak against the Red Bulls.
• A scuffle between players erupted after NYCFC eliminated the Red Bulls from the playoffs on penalty kicks in 2015.
• Last season, fourteen yellow cards were issued as tensions escalated yet again in a heated draw.

FC Dallas vs Houston Dynamo – The Texas Derby

Everything is bigger in Texas, and this Lone Star State rivalry is no exception. The battle for El Capitán, a replica 18th century Mountain Howitzer cannon, has become an obsession since starting in 2006.

It’s gone back and forth across the state over 30 times, as both teams play for far more than just bragging rights. With enough wild finishes and drama along the way to fill a telenovela script, fear and loathing in Texas has never been more fun.

Notable Moments

• Houston earned their first playoff win against FC Dallas in the 2006 Western Conference semifinals.
• Dallas memorably got the cannon back on Easter in 2015, coming from two goals down to win 3-2.
• The 2017 Texas Derby featured two red cards and a back and forth 3-3 result.

Atlanta United vs Orlando City – The Southern Showdown

In the heart of the Southeast lies one of Major League Soccer’s emerging rivalries. As two of MLS’s southernmost teams, they’ve quickly built mutual hostility since Orlando joined the league in 2015.

Packed stadiums shouting dueling anti-opponent chants have defined matches between these foes. Even with top talent like Atlanta’s Josef Martinez or Orlando’s Nani on display, emotions frequently overshadow action once the game kicks off.

Notable Moments

• Orlando’s first MLS away match was in Atlanta, where they fought back from two goals down to earn a draw.
• Josef Martinez broke Atlanta’s single-season scoring record against Orlando City in 2018.
• During 2019’s first leg, Atlanta smashed five goals past Orlando City in under an hour.

San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy – The California Clásico

NorCal meets SoCal when San Jose and Los Angeles clash in one of MLS’s longest-running in-state rivalries. Dating back to the league’s early days in 1996, distinct regional pride fuels the passion behind this spicy showdown.

Both teams were originally known as the Clash and played in San Jose, before the club eventually moved south in 2005 to become Chivas USA. When they returned as the Earthquakes in 2008, it didn’t take long to reignite tensions with the Galaxy just up the coast.

Notable Moments

• In a memorable 2003 encounter, San Jose scored twice in stoppage time to force a dramatic 4-4 draw.
• David Beckham’s first goal for LA came from a curling free kick to sink the Quakes 1-0 in 2007.
• Wondo scored his 100th MLS goal against LA in August 2014, though Robbie Keane pulled the Galaxy even in yet another draw.

Why Rivalries Matter in MLS

Derbies may not count any more in the standings than other matches, but they set the stage for some of MLS’s most memorable moments every season. As the league continues maturing, these bitter rivalries only get richer and more intense for everyone involved.

The passion, the drama, the iconic goals, saves, and more that unfold when rivals collide make for legendary experiences faithful supporters relive for years. They shape both individual and shared identities rooted in representing your club against their biggest foe.

Whether long standing or freshly formed, rivalry showdowns reveal the true colors of an entire MLS community like no other contest can. Minute by minute emotions pour down from the crowd into the players desperate to reward their people with sweet victory.

Of course at the end of the day, it’s still simply about having pride in the badge cresting across your own chest. Raucous fans decked in club gear wish misery upon their regional foes at least twice a year. And no lead ever feels safe when squaring off with an enemy that starts lining up in your imagination as public enemy number one.

The results may sting or inspire taunting chants directed at the visitors heading home far earlier than hoped. But win or lose, nothing drives passion and solidarity for MLS clubs quite like the anticipation, excitement, and all-out hysteria of derby day sending spirits soaring sky high.

Key Takeaways

After reviewing some of the highlights, several key aspects stand out that make MLS rivalries can’t miss viewing every season:

• Regional pride and cultural identity fuel tensions on and off the pitch between clubs and their supporters groups.
• Star power elevates drama and skill once rivals share the spotlight to drive their club’s success.
• Memorable goals and wild finishes distinguishing heroes elevate legends across generations of MLS fandom.
• Packed stadiums with bombastic fans trade ruthless taunts and push the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
• Pregame buzz stokes excitement long before the opening whistle as anticipation builds for mouthwatering showdowns.

Rivalry matches capture crowds, players, coaches, and communities at their spirited best while chasing league pride every year. From Cascadia and Texas to the coasts and everywhere between, MLS delivers some of football’s finest theatre guaranteed when familiar foes come to town.

So keep an eye on the schedule and make sure you’ve got front row seats the next time your favorite club’s biggest rivals come asking for trouble.