We’re approaching the start of Rivalry Week, with the likes of Columbus Crew and Inter Miami taking on their nearest neighbours.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: May 6th, 2024 09:00 EDT0
JEFF DEANAFP
It’s back. Every year MLS Rivalry Week brings together some of the league’s best teams for derby matches against their closest rivals.
This year is no different and fans will be treated to a quartet of the biggest rivalries in MLS played across eight action-packed days. In recent seasons we’ve seen some memorable Rivalry Week clashes and last year was no different.
Still riding the high of rivalry week. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/A1vL1ibSs6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 22, 2023
This year’s games will be played from Saturday 11 May to Sunday 18 May with all the action available to view on the MLS Season Pass. There are only four Rivalry Week fixtures this year but the schedule includes some of the fiercest derby games in US soccer.
MLS Rivalry Week fixtures
May 11: Columbus Crew – FC CincinnatiMay 12: Portland Timbers – Seattle SoundersMay 15: Orlando City – Inter MiamiMay 18: Toronto FC – CF Montreal
Columbus Crew – FC Cincinnati (11 May, 7:30pm ET)
First up is a battle in the East as MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew take on Supporters Shield champions FC Cincinnati. Both teams could make a claim to have been the best MLS team across 2023 but neither as quite hit those heights so far this season.
Unreal save by Roman Celetano in stoppage time to preserve a 3-2 FC Cincinnati win over the Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real derby pic.twitter.com/P7T6N5vWkm
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 21, 2023
The ‘Hell is Real Derby’ is relatively new but it’s already got a real history of big moments and crucial matches. Most recently, the Crew mounted a stunning three-goal comeback victory to eliminate Cincinnati from the MLS Cup playoffs last season. Cincy will be out for revenge this weekend.
Portland Timbers – Seattle Sounders (12 May, 4:30pm ET)
This Sunday sees two of the Western Conference’s biggest under-performers going head-to-head at Providence Park. Despite their current struggles, Seattle-Portland remains a big fixture and it’s often cited as MLS’ most fiercely-contested derby. They have played each other more than a hundred times, dating back to their first NASL meeting in 1975.
If you haven't seen last night's *fabulous* tifo from the Timbers-Sounders match, here you go. Hats off to @timbersarmy for this artistic triumph. [📹via @AnnieMPeterson]pic.twitter.com/dFXyUTYWHw
— Jules Boykoff (@JulesBoykoff) August 27, 2022
A lot was expected of this talented Portland squad under new head coach Phil Neville this year but they are enduring a torrid run, winless in their last eight games and third-from-bottom in the West. They are level on points with rivals Seattle Sounders, who have failed to click in 2024.
Orlando City SC – Inter Miami (15 May, 7:30pm ET)
When these two teams met back in March it was billed as a meeting of two of the Eastern Conference’s top sides. Orlando had finished second in the Supporters Shield in 2023 and Inter Miami boast one of the finest squads to ever grace MLS. We were expecting a real battle but it turned out to be a complete whitewash.
Victoria en casa 🏠😍 #MIAvORL pic.twitter.com/h2LzvHJjpl
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 3, 2024
Inter Miami ran out 5-0 winners in the Turnpike Derby, scoring all five in the first hour of action. Orlando boss Oscar Pareja has struggled to settle on his first-choice starting XI so far this season and they currently sit second-from-bottom in the East, a far cry from conference-leading Inter Miami.
Toronto FC – CF Montreal (18 May, 7:30pm ET)
Rivalry Week 2024 is rounded out with an all-Canadian affair as Toronto and Montreal battle for bragging rights at BMO Field. The Canadian Classique – sometimes referred to as the 401 Derby – has been played 60 times but recent meetings have been dominated by CF Montreal, who are on a record five-game winning streak.
