Atlantic Cup (Major League Soccer)

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 season series between Major League Soccer rivals D.C. United, and the New York Red Bulls. Presently, the series occurs thrice a year, with either United hosting two matches and playing at the Red Bulls, or vice versa.

Inaugurated in 2002, the Atlantic Cup has translated into 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 of the two clubs playing one another in league, playoff and cup play. For United, the Red Bulls are the only opponent they have competed against in more than five occasions in both the Lamar Hunt 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 club's histories, United has won a dozen domestic and international championships, while New York has yet to win its first major championship. However, while the Atlantic Cup was dominated by D.C. United during a majority of the 2000s, New York won every series in the 2010s until 2012. The two sides have met 79 times across all competitions, 67 of them being in MLS regular season play, nine from MLS Cup playoff play and three from U.S. Open Cup play.

D.C. United are the current titleholders of the Atlantic Cup. United earned the title against Red Bulls for the first time since 2009 with a 2–2 home draw, resulting in a 8–6 aggregate victory.