Atlantic Cup
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic Cup is both the trophy awarded to the winner of the regular season series between Major League Soccer
rivals D.C. United
and the New York Red Bulls, as well as the name of the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs. The series presently occurs twice a year when the two teams meet each other in league play.
Inaugurated in 2002, the Atlantic Cup has translated into one of the most bitter rivalries in Major League Soccer. The rivalry between New York and D.C. partially developed due to the relative proximity of each club's respective metropolitan area (about 200 miles apart) which allows rival fans to attend away matches.
Traditionally, the rivalry has been in favor of D.C. United, in terms of silverware collected, and matches won. Over both club's histories, United has won a dozen domestic and international championships, while New York has yet to win its first major championship.
was played in front of a crowd of 14,722; and ended 1–1 in regulation time. In regulation time, United's John Harkes
scored United's first ever goal against the MetroStars off of an assist from Tony Sanneh
in the 11th minute. The MetroStars' Giovanni Savarese
drew the match level in the 62st minute. At the time, if Major League Soccer games ended drawn at the end of regulation time, the match culminated with sudden death
extra time before a penalty shoot-out. Following suit, the match went into an overtime period, with no clear cut winner. In penalties, the MetroStars won the first match of the series 2–1 in penalties.
During the inaugural regular season, the two sides would meet each other three more times, with the two sides sharing spoils. The 1996 season ended gridlocked with each club winning two matches apiece, winning one match in their home stadium, and another on the road. However, on aggregate goals, United outscored the MetroStars 6–4.
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 Red Bulls
coaching staff was also headed by former DC coach Bruce Arena
until the end of the 2007 season, assisted by Harkes and Williams.
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 New York Red Bulls. MLS fined Eskandarian $250 for his actions.
D.C. United leads all-time head-to-head match up between the two teams (including the games before the Atlantic Cup was organized) with 36 wins, 20 losses, and 8 ties.
hit an all-time nadir record wise, whereas the New York Red Bulls were making several high profile acquisitions, causing some to believe that New York was becoming the more dominant Atlantic Cup team. On May 1, 2010; while United had lost their first four regular season matches, New York had won their first four matches. Attaining opposite records of 4-0-0 and 0-0-4, respectively, New York earned a 2–0 road win at RFK Stadium. The win was New York's first road win against D.C. since October 8, 2005 and their first win against United since 2008, as well as their first shutout against United since 2006. Subsequently, United drew 0–0 against New York in their first meeting in Red Bull Arena allowing the Red Bulls to win the Atlantic Cup derby for the first time since 2003, ending a six-year stretch of titles won by D.C.
The rivalry intensified, mainly between United and Red Bulls supporters in April 2011, when New York visited D.C. At the time, New York had been off a two-match winning streak, and held by far the strongest Eastern Conference record. United, rebuilding from last year were kindling a mid-table position. Goals from Thierry Henry
, Joel Lindepere and Juan Agudelo
gave way for the Red Bulls to capture a commanding 4–0 victory over United, making it the worst loss United suffered at home since the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs, and their worst loss ever to New York. However, in the return match, United earned a 1–0 away victory at Red Bull Arena, giving them some consolation over New York, but ultimately failing to win the Atlantic Cup for the second straight year. In spite of winning the Atlantic Cup for two-straight years, making it New York's first time since 2003, players expressed disinterest in the honor.
× Retroactive & unofficial
+ Points based on regulation wins (3), ties (1), shoot-out wins (1), shoot-out losses (0) & regulation losses (0)
Tiebreakers: 1) Goal differential, 2) Away Goals For, 3) Previous year winner
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
rivals D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
and the New York Red Bulls, as well as the name of the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs. The series presently occurs twice a year when the two teams meet each other in league play.
Inaugurated in 2002, the Atlantic Cup has translated into one of the most bitter rivalries in Major League Soccer. The rivalry between New York and D.C. partially developed due to the relative proximity of each club's respective metropolitan area (about 200 miles apart) which allows rival fans to attend away matches.
Traditionally, the rivalry has been in favor of D.C. United, in terms of silverware collected, and matches won. Over both club's histories, United has won a dozen domestic and international championships, while New York has yet to win its first major championship.
The rivalry
The two teams first met on May 12, 1996; when the New York Red Bulls were branded as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. The game, played at the now destroyed Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
was played in front of a crowd of 14,722; and ended 1–1 in regulation time. In regulation time, United's John Harkes
John Harkes
John Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
scored United's first ever goal against the MetroStars off of an assist from Tony Sanneh
Tony Sanneh
Anthony "Tony" Sanneh is an American soccer player who most recently played for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
in the 11th minute. The MetroStars' Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese is a former Venezuelan football player of Italian descent who is best known for his stay with New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer.- Club career :...
drew the match level in the 62st minute. At the time, if Major League Soccer games ended drawn at the end of regulation time, the match culminated with sudden death
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
extra time before a penalty shoot-out. Following suit, the match went into an overtime period, with no clear cut winner. In penalties, the MetroStars won the first match of the series 2–1 in penalties.
During the inaugural regular season, the two sides would meet each other three more times, with the two sides sharing spoils. The 1996 season ended gridlocked with each club winning two matches apiece, winning one match in their home stadium, and another on the road. However, on aggregate goals, United outscored the MetroStars 6–4.
Early club connections
In addition, early in the history of the league, there were personality clashes between members of the two teams. For example, MetroStars players Tony MeolaTony Meola
Antonio Michael "Tony" Meola is an American former soccer goalkeeper who played for the United States national team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and from 1996 to 2006 played in Major League Soccer, the U.S. top soccer division, where he obtained multiple honors...
and Tab Ramos
Tab Ramos
Tabaré Ramos Ricciardi, known as Tab Ramos is a retired U.S. Olympic Team and National Team soccer midfielder. He played professionally for 13 seasons in Spain, Mexico and the United States. Ramos was the first player to sign with Major League Soccer, where he played seven years with the MetroStars...
were long time acquaintances of DC United's captain John Harkes
John Harkes
John Harkes is an American former soccer player. Harkes was the first American ever to play in the English Premier League, and the second American to score at Wembley Stadium. He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He appeared in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, and won two MLS Cup...
. 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
Richie Williams
Richie Williams is an American former professional soccer player and coach.Known for his diminutive height and his dogged tackling, Williams spent the vast majority of his playing career in the United States, playing one season in the National Professional Soccer League, two in USISL, two in the...
. Ironically, former DC assistant coach Bob Bradley
Bob Bradley
Robert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
would coach the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
, and the Red Bulls
Red Bull New York
The New York Red Bulls are an American professional soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The team competes in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
coaching staff was also headed by former DC coach Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena is a former coach of the United States men's national soccer team as well as a former professional soccer and lacrosse player...
until the end of the 2007 season, assisted by Harkes and Williams.
Red Bull controversy
The rivalry became even greater when the two met at Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
on April 22, 2006 as Alecko Eskandarian
Alecko Eskandarian
Alecko Eskandarian is a former American soccer player who last played for Los Angeles Galaxy. He currently is the youth technical director for Philadelphia Union.-High School and College:...
scored the first goal of a 4-1 D.C. United victory. After the goal he took a sip of Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
energy drink and then spit it on the ground as an intentional slight on the recently renamed New York Red Bulls. MLS fined Eskandarian $250 for his actions.
D.C. United leads all-time head-to-head match up between the two teams (including the games before the Atlantic Cup was organized) with 36 wins, 20 losses, and 8 ties.
Recent years
Throughout the 2010 season, D.C. UnitedD.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
hit an all-time nadir record wise, whereas the New York Red Bulls were making several high profile acquisitions, causing some to believe that New York was becoming the more dominant Atlantic Cup team. On May 1, 2010; while United had lost their first four regular season matches, New York had won their first four matches. Attaining opposite records of 4-0-0 and 0-0-4, respectively, New York earned a 2–0 road win at RFK Stadium. The win was New York's first road win against D.C. since October 8, 2005 and their first win against United since 2008, as well as their first shutout against United since 2006. Subsequently, United drew 0–0 against New York in their first meeting in Red Bull Arena allowing the Red Bulls to win the Atlantic Cup derby for the first time since 2003, ending a six-year stretch of titles won by D.C.
The rivalry intensified, mainly between United and Red Bulls supporters in April 2011, when New York visited D.C. At the time, New York had been off a two-match winning streak, and held by far the strongest Eastern Conference record. United, rebuilding from last year were kindling a mid-table position. Goals from Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
, Joel Lindepere and Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo
Juan Sebastián Agudelo is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....
gave way for the Red Bulls to capture a commanding 4–0 victory over United, making it the worst loss United suffered at home since the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs, and their worst loss ever to New York. However, in the return match, United earned a 1–0 away victory at Red Bull Arena, giving them some consolation over New York, but ultimately failing to win the Atlantic Cup for the second straight year. In spite of winning the Atlantic Cup for two-straight years, making it New York's first time since 2003, players expressed disinterest in the honor.
D.C., then New York
| Name | Pos | D.C. | New York | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Apps | Goals | Career | Apps | Goals | ||
 Jaime MorenoJaime Moreno Jaime Moreno Morales is a former Bolivian footballer now serving as Youth Academy Technical Training Coach for D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and as the head coach of D.C. United's U-23 side.... |
FW | 1998–2002 | 150 | 69 | 2003 | 11 | 2 |
 Dax McCartyDax McCarty Dax McCarty is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College:... |
MF | 2011 | 13 | 0 | 2011 | 2 | 0 |
New York, then D.C.
| Name | Pos | New York | D.C. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Apps | Goals | Career | Apps | Goals | ||
| Santino Quaranta Santino Quaranta Santino Quaranta is an American soccer player.-Youth:Quaranta partially attended Baltimore's Archbishop Curley High School for his freshman and sophomore years, where he started both years, and was recognized as one of the top soccer players in the state... |
MF | 2007 | 3 | 0 | 2008– | 85 | 10 |
 Dwayne De RosarioDwayne De Rosario Dwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:... |
MF | 2011 | 13 | 2 | 2011 | 6 | 6 |
Match Results
| Date | Venue | Score | Competition | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 1996 | Giants Stadium Giants Stadium Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to... |
1–1 | MLS Regular Season | 14,722 | Report |
| April 3, 1999 | Giants Stadium | 0–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| May 8, 1999 | RFK Stadium | 2–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| August 11, 1999 | Giants Stadium | 1–4 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| September 18, 1999 | RFK Stadium | 1–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| April 1, 2000 | Giants Stadium | 3–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| April 22, 2000 | RFK Stadium | 2–3 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| June 21, 2000 | Giants Stadium | 2–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| August 2, 2000 | RFK Stadium | 3–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| May 5, 2001 | Giants Stadium | 3–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| June 13, 2001 | RFK Stadium | 2–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| July 21, 2001 | Giants Stadium | 2–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| August 15, 2001 | RFK Stadium | 1–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| May 18, 2002 | RFK Stadium | 4–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| August 25, 2002 | Giants Stadium | 1–0 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| September 12, 2002 | Giants Stadium | 0–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| September 14, 2002 | RFK Stadium | 2–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| May 10, 2003 | Giants Stadium | 1–0 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| July 4, 2003 | RFK Stadium | 2–3 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| September 25, 2003 | Giants Stadium | 0–2 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| September 28, 2003 | RFK Stadium | 1–1 | MLS Regular Season | ||
| April 17, 2004 | Giants Stadium | 3–2 | MLS Regular Season | 72,312 | |
| July 3, 2004 | RFK Stadium | 6–2 | MLS Regular Season | 28,765 | |
| October 2, 2004 | Giants Stadium | 0–1 | MLS Regular Season | 33,285 | |
| October 16, 2004 | RFK Stadium | 3–2 | MLS Regular Season | 22,068 | |
| June 12, 2005 | Giants Stadium | 2–2 | MLS Regular Season | 16,111 | |
| August 10, 2005 | RFK Stadium | 3–0 | MLS Regular Season | 19,790 | |
| October 1, 2005 | Giants Stadium | 1–4 | MLS Regular Season | 13,461 | |
| October 8, 2005 | RFK Stadium | 1–2 | MLS Regular Season | 22,098 | |
| April 1, 2006 | RFK Stadium | 2–2 | MLS Regular Season | 24,013 | |
| April 22, 2006 | Giants Stadium | 1–4 | MLS Regular Season | 20,304 | |
| August 16, 2006 | Giants Stadium | 0–0 | MLS Regular Season | 15,199 | |
| September 23, 2006 | RFK Stadium | 4–3 | MLS Regular Season | 18,751 | |
| October 21, 2006 | Giants Stadium | 0–1 | MLS Cup; Conf. Semifinals, Leg 1 | 11,027 | |
| October 29, 2006 | RFK Stadium | 1–1 | MLS Cup; Conf. Semifinals, Leg 2 | 19,845 | |
| June 10, 2007 | RFK Stadium | 4–2 | MLS Regular Season | 21,466 | |
| July 22, 2007 | Giants Stadium | 1–0 | MLS Regular Season | 13,986 | |
| August 22, 2007 | RFK Stadium | 3–1 | MLS Regular Season | 19,704 | |
| June 14, 2008 | RFK Stadium | 4–1 | MLS Regular Season | 18,622 | |
| August 10, 2008 | Giants Stadium | 4–1 | MLS Regular Season | 15,038 | |
| August 30, 2008 | RFK Stadium | 0–0 | MLS Regular Season | 15,616 | |
| April 26, 2009 | Giants Stadium | 2–3 | MLS Regular Season | 10,303 | |
| May 20, 2009 | RFK Stadium | 5–3 | U.S. Open Cup qualifier | 5,056 | |
| June 4, 2009 | RFK Stadium | 2–0 | MLS Regular Season | 11,226 | |
| May 1, 2010 | RFK Stadium | 0–2 | MLS Regular Season | 12,089 | |
| July 10, 2010 | Red Bull Arena | 0–0 | MLS Regular Season | 16,239 | |
| April 21, 2011 | RFK Stadium | 0–4 | MLS Regular Season | 18,402 | |
| July 9, 2011 | Red Bull Arena | 0–1 | MLS Regular Season | 22,200 |
| RBNY wins | Draws | DCU wins |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | 7 | 31 |
Total (including retroactive)
- DC United: 10
- New York Red BullsRed Bull New YorkThe New York Red Bulls are an American professional soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The team competes in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
: 6
Summary of all matches
| Year | Derby winner |
United win |
Draw | RBNY win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | United | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1997 | RBNY | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 | United | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 | United | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | RBNY | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2001 | RBNY | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 | United | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | RBNY | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2004 | United | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | United | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 | United | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | United | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | United | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | United | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | RBNY | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | RBNY | 1 | 0 | 1 |
- Regulation scores from league matches only. Shootout wins, US Open Cup games, and playoff games are not taken into account in this table.
Winners by year
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | New York Red Bulls | 4:1 |
| 2010 | New York Red Bulls | 2:0 |
| 2009 | D.C. United | 5:2 |
| 2008 | D.C. United | 4:4 (goals agg. 5:5) (away goals 1:1) |
| 2007 | D.C. United | 6:3 |
| 2006 | D.C. United | 8:2 |
| 2005 | D.C. United | 7:4 |
| 2004 | D.C. United | 9:3 |
| 2003 | MetroStars | 7:4 |
| 2002 | D.C. United | 9:3 |
| 2001 | MetroStars | 6:3 × |
| 2000 | MetroStars | 7:4 × |
| 1999 | D.C. United | 10:0 ×+ |
| 1998 | D.C. United | 9:3 ×+ |
| 1997 | NY/NJ MetroStars | 6:6 ×+ (goals agg. 7:6) |
| 1996 | D.C. United | 6:4 ×+ |
× Retroactive & unofficial
+ Points based on regulation wins (3), ties (1), shoot-out wins (1), shoot-out losses (0) & regulation losses (0)
Tiebreakers: 1) Goal differential, 2) Away Goals For, 3) Previous year winner
2011 series results
| Venue | Date | DCU score | NY score |
|---|---|---|---|
| RFK Stadium | 21 April | 0 | 4 |
| Red Bull Arena | 09 July | 1 | 0 |