MLS rivalry cups


In Major League Soccer, several teams annually compete for secondary rivalry cups that are usually contested by only two teams, with the only exception being the Cascadia Cup, which is contested by three teams. Each cup or trophy is awarded to the eligible team with the better regular season record and are comparable to minor trophies played for in college football rivalries. Most cups are deliberately conceived as local derbies between teams in the same region. Rivalry cups are considered a tradition to most MLS fans and players alike. Out of the ten original MLS teams only three have not competed in these rivalry cups: Sporting K.C., New England Revolution and the defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny. The Texas Derby is the only MLS rivalry where the winner does not walk away with a cup trophy but instead they play for "El Capitán", a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon. Some derbies only contest for bragging rights of rival supporters groups.

Summary

Current

All records reflect wins made when all participating franchises are MLS teams.
Derby nameMost winsTitlesOther clubTitlesRecent winner
Atlantic CupD.C. United13New York Red Bulls11New York Red Bulls
Brimstone CupFC Dallas12Chicago Fire FC10Chicago
California ClásicoLA Galaxy14San Jose Earthquakes8San Jose
Canadian ClassiqueToronto FC6Montreal Impact2Toronto
Cascadia Cup*Seattle Sounders FC4Vancouver Whitecaps FC3Seattle
Cascadia Cup*Seattle Sounders FC4Portland Timbers2Seattle
Everglades CupOrlando City SC1Inter Miami CF0Orlando City SC
El TráficoLA Galaxy2Los Angeles FC2LAFC
Hell Is Real Derby**Columbus Crew SC1FC Cincinnati0Columbus
Heritage CupSeattle Sounders FC7San Jose Earthquakes4Seattle
Hudson River DerbyNew York Red Bulls4New York City FC1New York Red Bulls
Pioneer CupColumbus Crew SC9FC Dallas2Columbus
Rocky Mountain CupReal Salt Lake11Colorado Rapids4Real Salt Lake
Texas DerbyHouston Dynamo7FC Dallas7Dallas
Trillium CupColumbus Crew SC7Toronto FC5Toronto

* Cascadia Cup existed prior to the creation of MLS franchises for Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver.
''** The Hell Is Real Derby existed prior to FC Cincinnati joining MLS.

Former

Derby nameMost winsTitlesOther clubTitlesLast winner
Florida Derby**Miami Fusion2Tampa Bay Mutiny2Miami
SuperClasicoLA Galaxy9Chivas USA1LA Galaxy

** Florida Derby existed prior to creation of MLS franchises for Tampa Bay and Miami, and after teams left MLS in 2001.

Rivalry cups

; Notes