In Major League Soccer, several teams annually compete for secondary rivalry cups that are usually contested by only two teams, with the only exceptions being the Cascadia Cup and the new Copa Tejas, which are contested by three MLS teams, each. Each cup or trophy is awarded to the eligible team with the better regular season record and are comparable to minor trophies played for in college football rivalries. Most cups are deliberately conceived as local derbies between teams in the same region. Rivalry cups are considered a tradition to most MLS fans and players alike. Out of the ten original MLS teams only three have not competed in these rivalry cups: Sporting Kansas City, New England Revolution, and the defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny. The Texas Derby is the only MLS rivalry where the winner does not walk away with a cup trophy but instead they play for "El Capitán", a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon. Some derbies only contest for bragging rights of rival supporters groups.
Summary
Current
All records reflect wins made when all participating franchises are MLS teams.
* Cascadia Cup existed in USL prior to the entry of franchises into MLS by Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. ** Copa Tejas was originally conceived for USL clubs, with an MLS division created in 2021.
Traditional rivalries
All records reflect wins made (per regular season, not per matches) when all participating franchises are MLS teams. No cup/trophy contested.
*** The Hell Is Real Derby existed prior to FC Cincinnati joining MLS. † The rivalries between the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps have existed in previous teams that are part of their respective legacies, and leagues that have operated prior to MLS.
^The Cascadia Cup was founded in 2004 and contested by clubs outside MLS (in North American Division 2 soccer). 2011 represents the year MLS teams began competition. No Cup was awarded in 2020 by agreement of all 3 teams' supporters' clubs due to the lack of fans present at games due to the Coronavirus.[2]
^The Florida Derby originated in 1977[3] and has been contested for most of its history by Division 1 and 2 soccer clubs outside MLS.[4] The years 1998–2001 represent the only era in which MLS teams participated.[1]
^The Hell Is Real Derby was established in 2017 when FC Cincinnati was still a member of the league now known as the USL Championship.[5] 2019 represents the year when the clubs first met as MLS teams.
^The SuperClasico ended in 2014 due to the folding of Chivas USA
