G'day Hive! Thank you to all of those that read and curated Part 1 which you can look at here. Here is the final part that wraps up the series of the 10 biggest rivalries in the MLS.
Hell is Real Derby
Columbus traditionally lacked a geographic rival prior to FC Cincinnati joining the league. The two battle it out in the Hell is Real Derby, also known as the Ohio derby, and is one of the newest derbies in the league with the first MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew played in 2019. The rivalry started a couple years earlier in the U.S. Open Cup with FC Cincinnati, a USL club at the time, upsetting the Crew who were playing a close to full strength side.
The derby name is no doubt the best in the league, originating from an Interstate 71 sign just south of Columbus that reads 'Hell is Real' when driving toward Cincinnati. While intended to encourage religious reflection, it's inspired the name for one of the biggest growing rivalries in the MLS.
California Clásico
The LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes participate in the California Clásico in a Northern California vs. Southern California matchup. Considered one of the most historical rivalries in the MLS it's also one of the most intense. The San Jose Ultras and Angel City Brigade supporter groups are among the most hated of rivals often taunting each other with huge tifos and chants.
When the two teams play together there's a strong away team support resulting in heightened security to separate the two sets of supporters from fighting. One of the most controversial moments between the two rivals was off the pitch with the transfer of one of the greatest U.S players of all-time, Landon Donovan moving from San Jose to the LA Galaxy.
Rocky Mountain Cup
The Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids rivalry is one of the most underrated derbies. The Mountain West regional derby has been dominated by RSL since the cups creation in 2005 and there's been no shortage of drama. The clubs completed a player exchange before the start of the 2006 season with Rapids forward Jeff Cunningham and RSL midfielder Clint Mathis swapping sides.
Cunningham would haunt his former Colorado team with two goals and an assist during a 4-1 win that season. The Rapids would get their revenge later on in the year in a heated match. Fans threw debris and missiles onto the field throughout the game which Colorado would end up winning and retaining the Rocky Mountain Cup. Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni further ignited the derby by celebrating and taunting Salt Lake fans following their win.
El Trafico
The rivalry between the two Los Angeles based clubs LA Galaxy and LAFC is one of two crosstown derbies in the MLS alongside New York's Hudson River derby. The derby name references the notorious traffic congestion in LA with the two clubs separated by a 12-mile stretch of freeway. The derby name is also a play on the El Clásico derby between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The first MLS meeting between the clubs in 2018 set the tone for the derby. After LAFC built a 3-0 lead, the Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimović inspired a comeback off the bench in his first ever MLS game, scoring two goals including a stoppage time winner in a 4-3 victory.
Even before the derby began on the pitch there was already bad blood off it between both sets of supporters. In 2017 shortly after LAFC's creation, a mural in the clubs colours was painted in downtown Los Angeles. Months later the mural was vandalized to read 'GALAXY' and was done in retaliation to a Galaxy billboard being defaced
Precourt Derby
Ok I've made this one up but there's the potential for a genuine rivalry between Columbus Crew and Austin FC. Investor Anthony Precourt once owned the Crew but announced plans in 2017 to relocate the club to Austin as Columbus wouldn't publicly fund a new stadium.
There was a massive outcry from MLS fans and fortunately, Pete Edwards partnered with Jimmy and Dee Haslam to save the Crew in 2019. Bizarrely, Precourt was rewarded with an MLS expansion franchise in Austin despite his tactics and Crew fans won't forget Precourt holding the club hostage.
All the way from the Land Down Under, I created Wolfgang Sport as I enjoy writing and watching British and American sports. Started in 2017, I started the blog as a way to connect my passion for sports in the US & UK.
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The league doesn't even interest me anymore since Zlatan left.
Wow, didn't know they were so many. I love the fact that the LA one is called "El Trafico", made me chuckle.
I do wonder if the Precourt Derby will become a reality.