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Hudson River Derby Joins Historic MLS Rivalries on Playoffs Stage
The New York Red Bulls and New York City FC will clash later today in the first-ever edition of the Hudson River Derby, which will take place in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
PHOTO: NYCFC
The two New York City sides will be ranked alongside some of Major League Soccer’s greatest clashes, highlighting their decade-long rivalry.
The Playoffs are already a time when intensity is turned up, and the league has a history of rival fanbases clashing while trying to win it all.
Below are some of the other greatest rivalries that will take place in the MLS Cup Playoffs, ones that the Hudson River Derby will hope to join.
No. 5: California Clásico
- LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes
- Years met in the playoffs: 5
- Series leader: LA (3)
- Most recent meeting: 2012
Only one rivalry on this list appeared in the first MLS Cup Playoffs in 1996, and it has also been an MLS Cup Final. The original California Major League Soccer teams, the LA Galaxy and the then-named San Jose Clash laid the foundation for what hatred can be between teams.
The two teams met in the inaugural MLS postseason in a battle between conference champion LA and the last western conference team in SJ. The lower seed earned the upset in Game 1 but eventually fell in consecutive 2-0 losses at the Rose Bowl. Five years later, both teams met again in the 2001 MLS Cup Final, where a Landon Donovan equalizer and eventual Dwayne De Rosario golden goal in extra time gave San Jose its first-ever championship.
Donovan also plays a huge role in the story of this rivalry. Going from championships in San Jose, including a 2003 Clásico meeting some call the greatest playoff game of all time, to becoming an icon with the LA Galaxy later in his career.
Time has not aged this rivalry well. The Earthquakes are a weaker team in MLS, and even the Galaxy, despite their pedigree, is on a downturn.
But still, they are one of the best to ever meet in the playoffs.
No. 4: Hell Is Real
- Columbus Crew vs FC Cincinnati
- Years met in the playoffs: 1
- Series leader: Crew (1)
- Most recent meeting: 2023
I love a rivalry that starts in the U.S. Open Cup. Hell is Real has given Major League Soccer a lot since it joined its ranks in 2019. The first real meeting in 2017, back when Cincinnati was a USL side, opened the unlocked hate deep with Ohio soccer fans.
When the two teams met in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final, it was the 14th meeting between the clubs. A sold-out TQL Stadium saw Cincy take an early lead in the first half, but a lead they lost in the second half. A Diego Rossi 86th-minute goal forced extra time, and Christian Ramirez won it late, 3-2, for the Crew—a season with the Supporters Shield crushed by eventual MLS Cup champions and rivals.
The sticking power of this game has permeated as players like Matt Miazga still say FCC “won the league” while Crew “just won the playoffs.”
No. 3: El Tráfico
- LA Galaxy vs Los Angeles FC
- Years met in the playoffs: 2
- Series leader: LAFC (2)
- Most recent meeting: 2022
In terms of current rivalries, the battle for Los Angeles takes the top spot. Much like New York, this rivalry is an MLS original versus new blood, but recency hasn’t diminished the heat.
These two have clashed twice in the MLS Cup Playoffs, including in their sophomore season as rivals. That 2019 Western Conference semifinal saw LAFC get their first-ever win over the Galaxy, 5-3. A late brace by Adama Diomande was the difference and helped set a tone for the future.
While the Galaxy have the history and the overall better record in the rivalry, LAFC has the statement wins.
That was proven again in the 2022 Western Semis when LAFC advanced en route to an MLS Cup.
Now, in 2024, we may be heading towards a third meeting in the Conference Finals next weekend. The Banc of California Stadium will be rocking, and tempers will be high if that happens.
No. 2: Canadian Classique
- CF Montréal vs Toronto FC
- Years met in the playoffs: 2
- Series leader: Tied (1 each)
- Most recent meeting: 2016
Personally, I think this is where playoff rivalry soccer hits its crescendo. Like Hell is Real, Toronto and Montreal first began their rivalry in national cup play (the Canadian Championship), but it exploded once the latter joined MLS in 2012. Heated ultras between the cold north were a staple, and the animosity between two teams trying to get better was always evident.
That exploded in the 2015 playoffs when the two Canadian teams met in the knockout round. In a single elimination game, three first-half goals put Montreal past Toronto. However, the next series was far different. The following year, the two teams met in the Eastern Conference Final with two legs separating them and the championship game. Montreal took the first leg, 3-2, but in a classic performance in the second leg forced do or die extra time. Toronto scored twice to win the Eastern Conference for the first time.
All things considered, the images from the 2016 ECF are immortal in the halls of MLS history.
While the recent rivalry has never reached this crescendo again, though Canadian Championship matches do sometimes come close, this game sets a milestone for eons to come.
No. 1: Cascadia Cup
- Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders
- Years met in the playoffs: 2
- Series leader: Portland (2)
- Most recent meeting: 2018
While the name of the rivalry itself includes the Vancouver Whitecaps, unfortunately, they do third wheel in what is probably Major League Soccer’s greatest rivalry of all time. It was must-watch television when Portland and Seattle met in the 2013 and 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Pacific Northwest became a hub for American Soccer, especially during an era when either the Timbers or Sounders found themselves playing for the MLS Cup regularly.
The 2013 Western Conference Semifinals were all Portland, with the Oregon side winning both legs to advance. However, in 2018, a Portland win in leg 1 set up one of the most memorable penalty kick shootouts in MLS history.
Raúl Ruidíaz’s stoppage time goal forced extra time for Seattle, while both teams traded goals in the first ET half. When both teams stepped up to the spot, each keeper stood on their head to try and keep their side alive.
Instead, it was Jeff Attinella who did enough to keep Portland ahead, and a goal from Dairon Asprilla put Portland through into the Conference Final en route to the MLS Cup Final.
This is the only rivalry on this list that dates back to the North American Soccer League playoffs of the 1970s. While not included on this list’s totals, Portland beat Seattle in the 1975 NASL Quarterfinals.
In the 2000s, the two sides met in the lower divisions of American soccer, with Seattle winning playoff series in 2004 (A-League) and 2005 (USL).
PHOTO: NYCFC
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