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Iconic Moments from the Atlantic Cup

Snow at Red Bull Arena

Ask any seasoned D.C. United fan about their teamā€™s biggest rival, and theyā€™re sure to point to the New York Red Bulls (formerly the New York/New Jersey MetroStars). Dubbed the ā€œAtlantic Cupā€, the rivalry between these two teams is one of the longest and most emotional in all of MLS, dating back to the leagueā€™s inaugural season in 1996. Due to the teamsā€™ 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 supportersā€™ 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 yearā€™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 DĆ­az Arceā€™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.



Eskandarianā€™s ā€œSpit Take,ā€ 2006
Shortly after the New York club was bought by corporate giants Red Bull, the Black-and-Redā€™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 teamsā€™ 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 ā€˜keeper Joe Willis who had only just come on.



Minutes later, the New Yorkā€™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.