Ask any seasoned D.C. United fan about their team’s biggest rival, and they’re sure to point to the New York Red Bulls (formerly the New York/New Jersey MetroStars). Dubbed the “Atlantic Cup”, the rivalry between these two teams is one of the longest and most emotional in all of MLS, dating back to the league’s inaugural season in 1996. Due to the teams’ geographic proximity and history of competitive playoff matches, their contests over the years have forged a passionate, spirited, at times embittered rivalry that is sure to last for years to come. Besides the on-field results themselves, there have been contentious trades--Jaime Moreno, Dax McCarty, and Dwayne DeRosario, to name a few--as well as impassioned encounters between rival supporters’ groups.
As conference foes, the two East Coast teams have faced each other anywhere from two to four times in regular season play for the past 20 years; this year’s meeting will be the first of at least three (with the the possible addition of Open Cup and/or playoff matches) in 2016. United are 33-25-10 all time against the Red Bulls in regular season play, but some of the most spirited meetings between the two teams have come in the postseason. Here are a few of the most memorable Atlantic Cup encounters to date:
MLS Cup Semifinals, 1996
After dropping the first game of the best-of-three series away at Giants Stadium on a penalty shootout to the then-MetroStars, United came back with a confident display in game two at RFK, winning 1-0 off a 72nd-minute Marco Etcheverry goal. In the third and deciding game, Raul Díaz Arce’s 89th-minute winner provided a thrilling end to the series, sending United through to the first-ever MLS Cup final, which they would win over the LA Galaxy.
United win 6-2, July 2004
United enjoyed a dominant 6-2 win in July of 2004, including a Jaime Moreno goal in which he stripped MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker of the ball and scored, after the New York/New Jersey netminder had held onto it too long in his own box. The score margin and the manner in which they won represented a resounding moral victory against their fierce northern rivals.
Eskandarian’s “Spit Take,” 2006
Shortly after the New York club was bought by corporate giants Red Bull, the Black-and-Red’s Alecko Eskandarian made a statement in a 4-1 United win, and not just for the brace he scored in the effort. After burying a left footed finish from inside the box for his first goal of the night, Eskandarian promptly ran to the sideline and caught a can of Red Bull, took a drink, then proceeded to spit it out in a clearly rehearsed bit. He was fined $250, but his display reflected the strong emotions of the rivalry between the two clubs.
Playoffs in the Snow, November 2012
Perhaps the most iconic meeting in the teams’ 20-year history, this 2012 conference semifinal second leg was first delayed for weather, then saw a fiery contest play out on the pitch. After United goalkeeper Bill Hamid saw red for a challenge on Kenny Cooper in the 69th minute, Cooper made the resulting penalty but was forced to retake it because of encroachment; his second effort was saved by backup ‘keeper Joe Willis who had only just come on.
Minutes later, the New York’s Rafa Marquez himself earned a red card, before then-rookie Nick DeLeon proved to be the hero for United, scoring two minutes from time to send D.C. through to the conference final.
