Atlantic Cup (Major League Soccer)


The Atlantic Cup is both the name of the rivalry, as well as the trophy awarded to the winner of the regular season series between D.C. United, and the New York Red Bulls. The series occurs twice a year, with each team hosting one match. Although the Atlantic Cup is just one of the now many "I-95 Derbies" it is still considered by many Major League Soccer fans and pundits to be the original derby of the East Coast.
Inaugurated in 2002, the Atlantic Cup has become one of the most bitter rivalries in Major League Soccer and in American soccer. The origins of the rivalry are unknown, but some claim that it developed due to the cities' relative proximity to each other, and the frequency with which the two clubs play one another in league, playoff, and Open Cup play. New York City and Washington, DC have had rivalries based on various other sports, such as American football and ice hockey , so can also be argued that the rivalry that already existed between the two cities ended up being also transplanted for soccer. For United, the Red Bulls are the only opponent they have competed against in more than five occasions in both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Traditionally, the rivalry has been in favor of D.C. United, in terms of silverware collected and matches won. Over both clubs' histories, United has won a dozen major titles, while New York was the last original MLS franchise to win its first major title. However, while the Atlantic Cup was dominated by D.C. United during a majority of the 2000s, New York won every series from 2010-12. The two sides have met 87 times across all competitions, 71 of them being in MLS regular season play, 13 in MLS Cup playoff play, and 3 in U.S. Open Cup play.
The New York Red Bulls are the current titleholders of the Atlantic Cup.

The rivalry

Origins

The two teams first met on May 12, 1996; when the New York Red Bulls were branded as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. The game was played at RFK Stadium in front of a crowd of 14,722, and ended 1–1 in regulation time. In regulation time, United's John Harkes scored United's first ever goal against the MetroStars off an assist from Tony Sanneh in the 11th minute. The MetroStars' Giovanni Savarese drew the match level in the 62nd minute. At the time, if Major League Soccer ended drawn at the end of regulation time, it entered the 35-yard shootout. In the shootout, the MetroStars won the first match of the series 2–1.
During the inaugural regular season, the two sides would meet each other three more times, with the two sides sharing spoils. The 1996 season ended gridlocked with each club winning two matches apiece, winning one match in their home stadium, and another on the road. However, on aggregate goals, United outscored the MetroStars 6–4. The two sides met again in the Conference Semifinals 1996 MLS Cup Playoffs, where United defeated the MetroStars 2–1 in a best-of-three series. The first game of the post-season series, played on September 24, 1996, ended in the MetroStars' favor, as NY/NJ posted a victory in the shootout following a 2–2 tie after regulation. Three days later, United earned a 1–0 regulation victory at home, tying the series at 1–1, before culminating the series with a 2–1 victory, thanks to an 89th-minute penalty kick from Raul Diaz Arce. In the 1996 MLS Cup Playoffs, United would eventually go on to win the inaugural MLS Cup, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy, 3–2.
By next year, the two franchises took opposite routes in MLS' sophomore campaign, with D.C. United eventually going on to win their second MLS Cup championship, while the NY/NJ MetroStars failed to qualify for the 1997 MLS Cup Playoffs altogether. Despite the poorer form from the MetroStars, the club won the regular season series against United, through the virtue of more aggregate goals. The two sides faced off four times during the season, with United winning the first two outings, while the MetroStars won the final two meetings. In the final regular season matchup, held on September 27, 1997; United lost at home by a 3–1 scoreline against the MetroStars, ultimately failing to win the series.

Arrival of the formal cup

At the start of the 2002 Major League Soccer season, a formal trophy was incarnated by the administrators of D.C. United and the MetroStars, which was titled the "Atlantic Cup". In the 2002 series, United earned the trophy, winning two of the three regular season outings against the MetroStars. Despite the success, neither team qualified for the 2002 MLS Cup Playoffs, being the only two teams in the league not to qualify that season.
During the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the MetroStars and United both enjoyed successful Open Cup campaigns, meeting each other in the semifinal round of the Open Cup, marking the first time the two rivals met in the domestic tournament. In the quarterfinals, the MetroStars enjoyed a golden goal victory from an Amado Guevara goal in the 116th minute, defeating fellow MLS side, the New England Revolution, in the process. United faced USISL Pro League side, Wilmington Hammerheads. The match, played in Wilmington, North Carolina, saw United emerge victorious 1–0 off a Ronald Cerritos goal in the 30th minute.
The October 1, 2003 Open Cup semifinal affair was hosted by the MetroStars and played on at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, New Jersey, marking the first time in Atlantic Cup history the two sides met at Yurcak. In the outing, United got the go-ahead goal in the 18th minute of play off a strike from Galin Ivanov. Honduran international, Amado Guevara, netted two unanswered goals for the MetroStars in the 20th and 43rd minutes of play, giving the MetroStars a 2–1 lead going into the break. With less than 15 minutes remaining in regulation, United's Cerritos netted the equalizer, only before longtime MetroStars striker, John Wolyniec netted the match-winner, sending the MetroStars to their first ever championship of a major tournament.

Early club connections

In addition, early in the history of the league, there were personality clashes between members of the two teams. For example, MetroStars players Tony Meola and Tab Ramos were long time acquaintances of D.C. United's captain John Harkes. All three players were natives of New Jersey and had played together and against each other most of their lives. DC fans especially singled out Meola for scorn. In response, MetroStars supporters tended to reserve most of their scorn for Richie Williams. Ironically, former D.C. assistant coach Bob Bradley would coach the MetroStars, and the Red Bulls coaching staff was also headed by former D.C. coach Bruce Arena until the end of the 2007 season, assisted by Harkes and Williams.

Red Bull controversy

The rivalry became even greater when the two met at Giants Stadium on April 22, 2006 as Alecko Eskandarian scored the first goal of a 4–1 D.C. United victory. After the goal he took a sip of Red Bull energy drink and then spit it on the ground as an intentional slight on the recently renamed New York Red Bulls. MLS fined Eskandarian $250 for his actions.

Recent years

Throughout the 2010 season, D.C. United hit an all-time nadir record wise, whereas the New York Red Bulls were making several high-profile acquisitions, causing some to believe that New York was becoming the more dominant Atlantic Cup team. On May 1, 2010; while United had lost their first four regular season matches, New York had won their first four matches. Attaining opposite records of 4–0–0 and 0–0–4, respectively, New York earned a 2–0 road win at RFK Stadium. The win was New York's first road win against D.C. since October 8, 2005 and their first win against United since 2008, as well as their first shutout against United since 2006. Subsequently, United drew 0–0 against New York in their first meeting in Red Bull Arena allowing the Red Bulls to win the Atlantic Cup derby for the first time since 2003, ending a six-year stretch of titles won by D.C.
The rivalry intensified, mainly between United and Red Bulls supporters in April 2011, when New York visited D.C. At the time, New York had been on a two-game winning streak, and held by far the best Eastern Conference record. United, rebuilding from the prior year were much lower in the standings. Goals from Thierry Henry, Joel Lindpere and Juan Agudelo lead the Red Bulls to a commanding 4–0 victory over United, making it the worst loss United suffered at home since the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs, and their worst loss ever to New York. However, in the return match, United earned a 1–0 away victory at Red Bull Arena, giving them some consolation over New York, but ultimately failing to win the Atlantic Cup for the second straight year. In spite of winning the Atlantic Cup for two-straight years, making it New York's first time since 2003, players expressed disinterest in the honor.
On June 24, 2012, the two sides clashed again in the second of three legs of the series. The match ended in New York's advantage, earning a 3–2 victory over D.C. Ex-United midfielder Brandon Barklage netted two of the Red Bulls' three goals. United's Chris Pontius scored the fastest goal in franchise history, scoring 29 seconds after kickoff. The announced crowd of 25,187 was the largest in Red Bull Arena history, and the largest crowd to witness the rivalry since 2004.

Supporters

A majority of the Atlantic Cup derby is seen between the supporters groups of D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. Two of the largest and oldest supporters clubs in Major League Soccer history, originate as supporters of United and Red Bull. The largest supporters groups of D.C. United, La Barra Brava, and the Screaming Eagles, formed in 1995, a year before the inaugural season of the league. Likewise, the first supporters group for New York, the Empire Supporters Club also formed in 1995, making the three fan clubs amongst the oldest in modern-day American soccer, the first version of super-fans seen in American soccer since the late 1970s/early 1980s during the North American Soccer League era.
Over the years, several other supporters groups have sprouted to support D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. Since 1996, La Norte and the District Ultras formed in support of D.C. United. Likewise the Garden State Ultras, a group of Red Bull fans based in New Jersey, and the Viking Army, named in tribute to former Red Bull coach, Hans Backe and his Scandinavian roots, have formed. La Norte is known for bringing a heavy Latin-American feel to RFK Stadium and its atmosphere, launching toilet paper, banners, and playing various instruments much like club teams in South America. The District Ultras are an ultras fan group that is known for its controversial stances in opposition to the league structure of MLS, and the way the league operates under its single entity structure. Throughout the first few years of existence, the Ultras have been known for very political signs denouncing the franchise set up existing in MLS and promoting a more independent club setup, commonly seen throughout the rest of the World and in the lower divisions of the American soccer pyramid.
Because of the proximities of the New York City and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas matches between the two clubs have high levels of away supporters, average in the thousands for matches.

Players and transfers

D.C., then New York

New York, then D.C.

Honors

With 13 major honors, D.C. United have won more major competitions than any other Major League Soccer club, and are tied for the most of any North American soccer franchise ever. D.C. United won their first major title in 1996, winning the 1996 MLS Cup championship. Since then, they have claimed three additional MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, three U.S. Open Cups and one CONCACAF Champions Cup title. In addition, United won the 1998 Copa Interamericana, an infrequently-held and now-defunct super cup between the champions of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Of the original MLS franchises, New York was the last to have won its first major honor, capturing the Supporters' Shield in 2018.
TeamMLS CupSupporters' ShieldU.S. Open CupCONCACAF
Champions League
Copa
Interamericana
Total
D.C. United4431113
New York Red Bulls030003
Combined4731116

All-time game results

#DateCompetitionVenueHome TeamScoreAway TeamGoalscorersAttendance
1.May 12, 1996MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–1*Metrostars Harkes
Savarese
14,722
2.May 30, 1996MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–2D.C. United Wood
Rammel, Sanneh
25,322
3.August 21, 1996MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars2–3D.C. United de Ávila
Williams, Etcheverry, Díaz Arce
20,416
4.September 6, 1996MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–2Metrostars Sanneh
de Ávila, Joseph
8,053
5.September 24, 1996MLS PlayoffsGiants StadiumMetrostars2–2*D.C. United de Ávila, Savarese
Díaz Arce, Moreno
14,416
6.September 27, 1996MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United1–0Metrostars Etcheverry
21,442
7.October 2, 1996MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Rammel, Díaz Arce
de Ávila
20,423
8.April 5, 1997MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Pope, Moreno
de Ávila
28,749
9.April 19, 1997MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–2D.C. United Savarese
Díaz Arce, Moreno
26,322
10.July 27, 1997MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars2–1D.C. United Savarese, de Ávila
Harkes
20,104
11.September 28, 1997MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–3Metrostars Moreno
Kelly, Savarese, Joseph
9,686
12.May 9, 1998MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–0Metrostars Etcheverry, Lassiter
17,027
13.May 16, 1998MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars4–3D.C. United Savarese, Rooney, Hurtado
Sanneh, Lassiter, Moreno
15,322
14.August 22, 1998MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Moreno, Etcheverry
Soñora
16,729
15.September 16, 1998MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars0–5D.C. United Lassiter, Moreno, Olsen, Harty, Wood
14,117
16.April 3, 1999MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars0–1D.C. United
Lassiter
20,978
17.May 8, 1999MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Lassiter, Moreno
Kalonji
15,499
18.August 11, 1999MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–4D.C. United Ćurčić
Talley, Moreno, Olsen, Wood
6,876
19.September 18, 1999MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–1*Metrostars Moreno
Villegas
21,463
20.April 1, 2000MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars3–2D.C. United Comas, Kelly, Valencia
Moreno, Agoos
27,322
21.April 22, 2000MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–3Metrostars Perez, Etcheverry
Agoos, Villegas, Petke
14,985
22.June 21, 2000MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars
2–2
D.C. United Mathis, Ramos
Albright, Moreno
10,316
23.August 2, 2000MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United3–2Metrostars Díaz Arce, Moreno, Wood
Valencia, Walsh
13,801
24.May 5, 2001MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars2–1D.C. United Mathis, Faria, Villegas
Moreno
20,877
25.June 13, 2001MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Conteh, Moreno
Faria
11,581
26.July 21, 2001MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars2–1D.C. United Walsh, Talley
Talley
32,723
27.August 15, 2001MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–2Metrostars Lisi
Faria, Chung
11,618
28.May 18, 2002MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United4–2Metrostars Moreno, Villegas, Etcheverry
Faria, Lisi
20,105
29.August 25, 2002MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–0D.C. United Mathis
20,447
30.September 12, 2002MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars0–1D.C. United
Etcheverry
14,585
31.September 14, 2002MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1Metrostars Convey, Curtis
Faria
17,677
32.May 10, 2003MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–0D.C. United Mathis
17,934
33.July 5, 2003MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–3Metrostars Etcheverry, Kovalenko
Moreno, Clark, Gaven
13,715
34.September 25, 2003MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars0–2D.C. United
Olsen, Cerritos
8,077
35.September 28, 2003MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
1–1
Metrostars Etcheverry
Magee
13,521
36.October 1, 2003Open CupYurcak FieldMetrostars3–2D.C. United Guevara, Wolyniec
Ivanov, Cerritos
3,791
37.April 17, 2004MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars3–2D.C. United Taylor, Wolyniec
Olsen, Adu
31,419
38.July 3, 2004MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United6–2Metrostars Nelsen, Moreno, Eskandarian, Stewart, Olsen
Gaven, Taylor
16,177
39.October 2, 2004MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars0–1D.C. United
Adu
32,864
40.October 17, 2004MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United3–2Metrostars Gómez, Petke
Wolyniec, Clark
19,832
41.October 23, 2004MLS PlayoffsGiants StadiumMetrostars0–2D.C. United
Stewart, Eskandarian
11,161
42.October 30, 2004MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United2–0Metrostars Moreno, Namoff
15,763
43.June 12, 2005MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars
0–0
D.C. United
15,125
44.August 10, 2005MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United3–0Metrostars Boswell, Kovalenko, Gros
11,883
45.October 1, 2005MLSGiants StadiumMetrostars1–4D.C. United Magee
Agoos, Olsen, Moreno
27,670
46.October 8, 2005MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–2Metrostars Moreno
Galván Rey, Djorkaeff
18,751
47.April 2, 2006MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
2–2
New York Red Bulls Eskandarian, Erpen
Djorkaeff, Buddle
23,028
48.April 22, 2006MLSGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls1–4D.C. United Djorkaeff
Eskandarian, Erpen, Walker
8,475
49.August 12, 2006MLSGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls
0–0
D.C. United
11,230
50.August 23, 2006Open CupRFK StadiumD.C. United3–1New York Red Bulls Gros, Walker
Guevara
8,637
51.September 23, 2006MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United4–3New York Red Bulls Mendes, Gómez, Moreno, Donnet
Guevara, Altidore
21,727
52.October 21, 2006MLS PlayoffsGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls0–1D.C. United
Gómez
8,630
53.October 29, 2006MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United
1–1
New York Red Bulls Gómez
Altidore
21,455
54.June 10, 2007MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United4–2New York Red Bulls Olsen, Emílio
Kovalenko Ángel
18,066
55.July 22, 2007MLSGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls1–0D.C. United Wolyniec
14,705
56.August 22, 2007MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United3–1New York Red Bulls Olsen, Gómez, Moreno
Ángel
18,748
57.June 14, 2008MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United4–1New York Red Bulls Emílio Simms
van den Bergh
18,622
58.August 10, 2008MLSGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls4–1D.C. United Ángel, Magee, Ubiparipović
Moreno
15,038
59.August 30, 2008MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
0–0
New York Red Bulls
15,616
60.April 26, 2009MLS PlayoffsGiants StadiumNew York Red Bulls2–3D.C. United Ángel, Richards
Wallace, Emílio, Pontius
10,303
61.May 20, 2009Open CupRFK StadiumD.C. United5–3New York Red Bulls Pontius, Khumalo, Barklage, Fred
Richards, Rojas
5,056
62.June 4, 2009MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–0New York Red Bulls Quaranta, Moreno
11,226
63.May 1, 2010MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United0–2New York Red Bulls
Ibrahim, Ángel
12,089
64.July 10, 2010MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls
0–0
D.C. United
16,239
65.April 21, 2011MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United0–4New York Red Bulls
Henry, Lindpere, Agudelo
18,052
66.July 9, 2011MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls0–1D.C. United
De Rosario
22,200
67.April 22, 2012MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United4–1New York Red Bulls Pontius, DeLeon
Henry
13,262
68.June 24, 2012MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls3–2D.C. United Barklage, Solli
Pontius
25,187
69.August 29, 2012MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
2–2
New York Red Bulls DeLeon, De Rosario
Lindpere, Conde
10,303
70.November 3, 2012MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United
1–1
New York Red Bulls Miller
Hamid
17,556
71.November 8, 2012MLS PlayoffsRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls0–1D.C. United
DeLeon
14,035
72.March 16, 2013MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls
0–0
D.C. United
22,022
73.April 13, 2013MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United0–2New York Red Bulls
Henry, Olave
18,019
74.August 31, 2013MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls2–1D.C. United Sam, Cahill
DeLeon
17,372
75.April 12, 2014MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–0New York Red Bulls Arnaud
12,364
76.August 31, 2014MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–0New York Red Bulls Silva, Johnson
19,453
77.September 10, 2014MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls1–0D.C. United Sam
14,953
78.November 2, 2014MLS PlayoffsRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls2–0D.C. United Wright-Phillips, Luyindula
18,054
79.November 8, 2014MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United2–1New York Red Bulls DeLeon, Franklin
Luyindula
20,187
80.March 22, 2015MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls2–0D.C. United Wright-Phillips, Sam
21,036
81.April 11, 2015MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
2–2
New York Red Bulls Kitchen
Perrinelle, Sam
16,304
82.August 30, 2015MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls3–0D.C. United Wright-Phillips, Sam
22,645
83.November 1, 2015MLS PlayoffsRFK StadiumD.C. United0–1New York Red Bulls
McCarty
19,525
84.November 8, 2015MLS PlayoffsRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls1–0D.C. United Wright-Phillips
25,219
85.May 13, 2016MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United2–0New York Red Bulls Saborio, Nyarko
19,632
86.August 21, 2016MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United
2–2
New York Red Bulls Sarvas, Mullins
Wright-Phillips, Felipe
15,139
87.September 11, 2016MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls
2–2
D.C. United Verón, Wright-Phillips
Birnbaum, Neagle
20,086
88.April 15, 2017MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls2–0D.C. United Muyl, Wright-Phillips
20,104
89.September 27, 2017MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls
3–3
D.C. United Adams, Verón
Stieber, Mullins, Escobar
16,538
90.October 22, 2017MLSRFK StadiumD.C. United1–2New York Red Bulls Arriola
Murillo, Verón
41,418
91.July 25, 2018MLSAudi FieldD.C. United0–1New York Red Bulls
Wright-Phillips
15,655
92.August 26, 2018MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls1–0D.C. United Kaku
22,324
93.September 16, 2018MLSAudi FieldD.C. United
3–3
New York Red Bulls Arriola, Rooney, Acosta
Wright-Phillips
18,331
94.August 21, 2019MLSAudi FieldD.C. United1–2New York Red Bulls Kamara
Kaku, Royer
18,302
95.September 29, 2019MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red Bulls
0–0
D.C. United
20,118
96.April 26, 2020MLSAudi FieldD.C. UnitedNew York Red Bulls
97.May 23, 2020MLSRed Bull ArenaNew York Red BullsD.C. United

Statistics

There have been a total of 94 competitive games between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. D.C. has won 43 of these outings, while New York has won 35. The remaining sixteen matches ended as draws.
The largest victory in the history between these sides was a 5–0 victory by United over the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. The match was played on September 16, 1998. The match was United's largest away victory against the Red Bulls in history. New York's largest victory came on April 21, 2011 when the Red Bulls posted a 4–0 victory over United. The largest crowd on hand to witness the Atlantic Cup was on April 17, 2004 when 72,312 witnessed New York post a 3–2 victory over D.C. United.
CompetitionMatchesDCU winsDrawsRBNY winsDCU goalsRBNY goals
Major League Soccer78341530129103
MLS Cup Playoffs13724159
U.S. Open Cup3201107
Total95431735153119

Winners by year

× Retroactive & unofficial
+ Points based on regulation wins, ties, shoot-out wins, shoot-out losses & regulation losses
Tiebreakers: 1) Goal differential, 2) Away Goals For, 3) Previous year winner