I-95 derbies

The I-95 derbies^{[note 1]}, also known as the Acela derbies are the various local soccer derbies between the teams located on the Interstate 95 highway and Northeast Corridor railway of the United States (the Northeast megalopolis).^[1] It specifically refers to individual games between the teams located along the corridor, but may also be used to describe the rivalries between the supporters groups. The first I-95 derby in the modern era of American soccer history took place during the 1996 Major League Soccer season, when the New England Revolution and D.C. United played each other on April 27, 1996. The match ended in a 1–1 tie.

Historically the most intense I-95 derbies between American soccer clubs is the Atlantic Cup rivalry between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls,^[4][5] as well as the Hudson River derby, between the Red Bulls and New York City FC, based upon polls and pundit analysis.^[4][6]

Teams based along I-95

Division	Team(s)
Major League Soccer	D.C. United, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union
National Women's Soccer League	NJ/NY Gotham FC, Washington Spirit; formerly Boston Breakers (2013–2017)
USL Championship	Loudoun United FC
USL League One	Richmond Kickers
National Independent Soccer Association	Maryland Bobcats

Major I-95 derbies

Some of the most heated rivalries are between clubs that are geographically close together, or clubs that play in the same league, including:

• Atlantic Cup – between D.C. United and New York Red Bulls – This rivalry is often considered one of the most intense rivalries of original MLS franchises, and one of the most intense rivalries on the East Coast
• Hudson River derby – between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls – This rivalry features Major League Soccer's two clubs based in the New York metropolitan area.^[7][8][9]
• Shertz–Gemmel Cup or Colonial Cup – between D.C. United and Philadelphia Union.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Other I-95 derbies

• D.C. United–New England Revolution rivalry: historically, two of the most successful franchises in the Eastern Conference.^[14]
• New England Revolution–Philadelphia Union^[15]
• New York City FC–Philadelphia Union^[16]
• New York Red Bulls–New England Revolution^[17]
• New York Red Bulls–Philadelphia Union^[18][19]

See also

• Soccer in the United States

Notes

1. Citations:^[1][2][3]

References

1. Lindberg, Austin. "Rivals of Major League Soccer". ESPN FC. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
2. Kessler, Scott (July 2, 2011). "Saturday Afternoon Union Freekicks: I-95 Rivalry". Brotherly Game. SB Nation. As the Union prepare for the I-95 derby with DC United
3. McCarty, Matthew (June 25, 2017). "I-95 Derby: Philadelphia Union Top D.C United Thanks to Andre Blake". Last Word Sports. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
4. Smith, Chris (August 16, 2021). "The biggest MLS rivalries - ranked". 90min. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
5. "Top 10 MLS Rivalries of All Time".
6. Connelly, Steve (March 20, 2015). "Atlantic Cup: The Original MLS Rivalry". Fansided. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
7. Panizo, Franco. "New York Red Bulls' Andy Roxburgh says impending rivalry with New York City FC a good thing". Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
8. Lewis, Brian (11 December 2013). "New York Soccer Rivalry Already Brewing". New York Post. NYPost.com.
9. Prince-Wright, Joe. "New York City FC, Red Bulls rivalry heating up already". Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
10. "Story Stream: Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United news, updates, and highlights". The Brotherly Game. SB Nation. 25 July 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
11. Wine II, Donald (6 May 2016). "The Shertz-Gemmell Cup is the right name for the DC-Philadelphia rivalry". Black and Red United. SB Nation. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
12. Kallassy, Sarah (August 20, 2022). "It's a rivalry now: D.C. United devastated 0-6 by Philadelphia Union at home". Black and Red United. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
13. Peterson, Anne (November 19, 2021). "Union hosts Red Bulls in rivalry to open MLS playoffs". WHYY-FM. American Public Media. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
14. Stubbs, Roman (June 19, 2015). "D.C. United, New England Revolution set to add another chapter to rich rivalry". The Washington Post. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
15. Minton, Sam (September 8, 2021). "Brandon Bye: Revs-Union has always been a rivalry". The Bent Musket. SB Nation. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
16. Lovenguth, Tim (October 28, 2022). "5 things to watch ahead of Philadelphia Union vs NYCFC in the eastern conference final". Philly Sports Network. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
17. "Revs, Red Bull renew I-95 rivalry". Fox News. May 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
18. DeGeorge, Matthew (May 12, 2022). "Jim Curtin looking to the "beauty" in Union's Red Bull rivalry clash". Delaware County Daily Times. 21st Century Media. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
19. Klien, Alex (September 3, 2022). "Brotherly Game Daily Links: Union renew rivalry with Red Bulls". Brotherly Game. SB Nation. Retrieved December 22, 2022.