Atlantic Cup

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The Atlantic Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the regular-season series between Major League Soccer rivals D.C. United and Red Bull New York. Since the trophy was initiated for the 2002 season between DC and the then-named MetroStars, D.C. United has won four out of five Atlantic Cups. In 2006, D.C. United won the Atlantic Cup 8 points to 2 with a 2-0-2 record.

This is perhaps the most bitter rivalry in MLS. The rivalry developed partially due to the relative proximity of the cities (about 200 miles apart) which allows rival fans to attend games. The cities are rivals in that Washington is the political capital of the United States while New York is the center of commerce and media. In addition, early in the history of the league, there were personality clashes between members of the two teams. For example, MetroStars players Tony Meola and Tab Ramos were long time acquaintances of DC United's captain John Harkes. All three players were natives of New Jersey and had played together and against each other most of their lives. DC fans especially singled out Meola (who was briefly an actor and who had tried out to be the placekicker for the New York Jets) for scorn. In response, MetroStars supporters tended to reserve most of their scorn for Richie Williams. Ironically, former DC assistant coach Bob Bradley would coach the MetroStars, and the current Red Bull NY coaching staff is headed by former DC coach Bruce Arena, assisted by Harkes and Williams.

The rivalry became even more bitter when the two met at Giants Stadium on April 22, 2006 as Alecko Eskandarian scored the first goal of a 4-1 D.C. United victory. After the goal he took a sip of Red Bull energy drink and then spit it on the ground as an intentional slight on the recently renamed Red Bulls. MLS fined Eskandarian $250 for his actions.