MLS Rivalry Week: Passion, History, and High Stakes
The energy around the MLS was unmatched during Rivalry Week in May 2025. Stretching from May 14th to the 18th, it was the kind of week that made even casual fans lean in. Every match felt personal, fueled by years of history, geography, and pride. Sure, MLS fans enjoy high-quality soccer all season, but Rivalry Week taps into something deeper—a fierce sense of identity and bragging rights that go far beyond the pitch.
One of the headline clashes saw St. Louis CITY face off against Sporting Kansas City at Energizer Park. Not only does this fixture have the advantage of proximity (just a few hours separate St. Louis and Kansas City), but there’s genuine tension between these two sets of fans. The battle kicked off at 8:45 pm ET, broadcast across Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+, FS1, and FS2, making sure no one missed a second of the action.
The story goes back to 2023, when St. Louis CITY—a brand-new face in the league—stunned everyone by finishing top of the Western Conference. But Sporting KC crashed their party in brutal fashion, beating them 6-2 on aggregate in a playoff series that St. Louis fans are still recovering from. Since then, the rivalry has just grown more heated.
The latest blow came only five weeks before Rivalry Week. Sporting KC, energized by an end to the Peter Vermes coaching era, snatched a 2-0 victory on home turf with a standout performance from Dejan Joveljić, who netted both goals. That result lit a fire under Kansas City while St. Louis was left battling early-season disappointments. For fans, it wasn’t just about points on the board—it was about pride, history, and settling old scores.
Derbies Across the League: Old Grudges and Vibrant Atmospheres
MLS Rivalry Week was never just about one game. The schedule was packed with classic derbies that define the American soccer scene. In New York, the much-anticipated faceoff between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls turned Citi Field into a cauldron of noise. The city’s blue and red factions don’t pull any punches, with every moment on the pitch echoing battles from season after season.
Further west, the Cascadia Cup meeting between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders at Providence Park brought a rivalry that’s older than MLS itself. Fans in the stands came prepared with elaborate tifo displays, and the atmosphere was electric. For supporters, there’s no such thing as a "friendly" against their Northwest neighbor, with every tackle cheered or jeered like a goal.
On top of those headline matchups, Rivalry Week dished up close contests and late drama in stadiums coast to coast. Fans everywhere got a heavy dose of what makes MLS unique—its unpredictable energy, local pride, and the way these rivalries shape whole seasons. Whether you followed via MLS Rivalry Week broadcasts, or joined the chants in person, you could feel the urgency. Every goal, save, or missed chance could be the moment fans talk about all year.
For the league, players, and millions of passionate fans, Rivalry Week is so much more than just two matchdays. It’s a cultural flashpoint—a time when old stories get rewritten, new heroes emerge, and every match is laced with the sort of meaning you just can’t manufacture. If you missed it, well, you missed the most intense soccer week in the country.
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