The biggest rivalries in MLS: Derbies and matchups every fan should know

A guide to the most intense rivalries in MLS, from El Trafico between LAFC and LA Galaxy to the Hudson River Derby. Covering the history behind each one, the atmosphere on matchday, and what makes these fixtures special.

MLS sometimes gets written off as a league without passion in it. Tell that to a Portland Timbers fan before a Seattle game, or to anyone who was at StubHub Center when Zlatan came off the bench in the first ever El Tráfico. The rivalries in this league are real, they’re loud, and some of them have been building for longer than MLS has existed. Here are the ones worth knowing.

The top MLS rivalries and how they started

El Tráfico is the one that gets the most attention outside of the United States, and for good reason. LA Galaxy and LAFC are separated by 12 miles across the city, and since their first meeting in 2018 the fixture has averaged over four goals per match across all competitions. 

The name is a nod to Los Angeles' infamous traffic. The rivalry itself started in the best possible way. Galaxy were 3-0 down at home when Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to make his debut. He scored twice, and Galaxy ended up winning 4-3. 

The Cascadia Cup rivalry between Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers goes back further than MLS itself. These clubs have been competing since their first NASL meeting in 1975, and the hostility between the two fanbases has only intensified since both joined the league. Seattle and Portland have clashed over 140 times across various competitions, with Seattle holding the edge overall. Both sets of supporters travel in numbers, both produce elaborate displays, and both clubs have won the MLS Cup in recent seasons, which means neither can claim superiority for long.

The Hudson River Derby between New York Red Bulls and New York City FC is the battle for the biggest city in the country. The Red Bulls had history. NYCFC arrived in 2015 with money and marquee names including David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Andrea Pirlo. The most iconic moment remains the 2016 match known as the Red Wedding, when the Red Bulls won 7-0 at Yankee Stadium. The rivalry reached a new level when the two clubs met in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in late 2024, with the Red Bulls winning 2-0.

What makes an MLS derby different from European rivalries?

The obvious difference is age. The Old Firm rivalry has been going since 1888. El Tráfico played its first game in 2018. MLS rivalries are newer, which means they're still being written rather than being passed down through generations. That's actually part of the appeal. 

Geography shapes MLS rivalries in the same way it shapes European ones. The Cascadia clubs are a few hundred miles apart in the Pacific Northwest. Columbus and Cincinnati are connected by the same interstate. The Texas clubs fight over state supremacy. These are competitions rooted in place and regional identity, which is what gives any rivalry its staying power regardless of how old it is.

What MLS derbies sometimes lack in history they make up for in atmosphere. Both Red Bull Arena and Providence Park in Portland are among the loudest stadiums in the league, and the supporter culture around the biggest derbies has been shaped deliberately by fans who grew up watching European football and wanted to recreate it on American soil.

Which rivalry matches are coming up this season?

The 2026 MLS season kicked off on February 21 and is already building towards some significant fixtures. 

The league pauses on May 25 for the FIFA World Cup, hosted across North America, before returning on July 16 with a slate of marquee rivalry matches timed to coincide with the World Cup final weekend:

• Seattle and Portland face off on July 16

• El Tráfico between Galaxy and LAFC is scheduled for July 17 MLS

• Hell is Real between Columbus and FC Cincinnati is scheduled for October 18
  

The Texas Derby between FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo is also worth watching in 2026, with the two sides meeting at Toyota Stadium on March 21 and again in Houston on October 17. Both matches carry Copa Tejas standings implications, with El Capitán up for grabs across the season.

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MLS derbies are worth following whether you've been watching the league for years or you're just getting started. The history is shorter than Europe's, but the passion is just as real and the goals tend to come in bunches.

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