It's a big week in the MLS world: It's Heineken Rivalry Week.
It starts with five tasty weekend matchups, including four on national TV and the first-ever MLS match on FOX broadcast network. Here's everything you need to know about the big games:
Philadelphia Union vs D.C. United
Friday, May 20, 7:00 PM ET
Talen Energy Stadium | Chester, Penn.
Watch: UniMás or MLS LIVE
It's not nearly as antagonistic as either team's relationship with the New York Red Bulls up the road. But Philly and D.C. are near-neighbors along the I-95 corridor and fans on both sides are familiar from showdowns in other sports, particularly the NFL and NHL.
The two clubs have shared faces and history with names like Chris Pontius, Brian Carroll and Fred. Notably, the respective supporters' groups have a history of mutual respect to date. Then again, their first-ever meeting featured a case of outright theft:
At the end of the day, both the Union and United are gunning for playoffs spots in a crowded, balanced Eastern Conference and every point counts, so nothing will be held back when they kick off along the shores of the Delaware River on Friday.
New York City FC vs New York Red Bulls
Saturday, May 21, 3:00 PM ET
Yankee Stadium | New York City, NY
Watch: FOX, TSN2 or MLS LIVE
What it lacks in age, it more than makes up for in angst. The New York Derby hit the ground running last season with plenty of passion, mostly in the form of mutual disdain, as NYCFC entered the league after years of buildup towards a second team in the nation's largest metropolitan area.
Red Bulls fans point to their Supporters' Shield trophies, soccer-specific stadium and two decades of loyalty through thick and thin (and multiple club identities). City supporters savor their club's star power, fresh canvas of history and location within the five boroughs. But in order to really face off as equals, the newcomers have to get better results than last year, when they were swept in the season series.
It looks like this rivalry might tighten up in 2016. NYCFC are on a hot streak that's taken them to the top of the East, while RBNY are struggling to recapture last year's glory. That sets the table for a Saturday slugfest in the Bronx.
Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew SC
Saturday, May 21, 5:00 PM ET
BMO Field | Toronto, Ont.
Watch: MLS LIVE
The Trillium Cup may not be the first MLS rivalry that springs to mind, but the Great Lakes region rivals have had some pitched battles over the years. In the first meeting between the clubs this season, TFC, who have won two Trillium Cups to date (2011, 2014) will look to keep their solid start to the season going, while Crew SC, dominant in the series (six Trillium Cups, including in 2015), want to grab some much-needed points.
Toronto FC are hosting their fourth game of the season at BMO Field, and despite dropping an entertaining game to the Vancouver Whitecaps over the weekend at home, look to be one of the Eastern Conference's best teams. The supporting cast appears to have collectively made a step up this year, but the otherworldly talent of Sebastian Giovinco, who has been involved in every single TFC goal to date this season, continues to give Toronto a chance to win in every single game.
Columbus have moved into the post-Kei Kamara era, as they tied Colorado 1-1 last week. The 2015 MLS Cup finalists are still looking for the form that took them to the title game last year, but a largely unchanged roster is capable of beating any opponent on their day. For now, the big question is whether the goals will come more easily, and who is the go-to scoring option for Columbus now that Kei is in New England.
Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Sunday, May 22, 4:30 PM ET
Providence Park | Portland, Ore.
Watch: ESPN, TSN or MLS LIVE
Seattle may come between them -- figuratively and literally -- but the Cascadia Cup rivalry between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps remains heated, high-profile, and often fun for viewers. The Whitecaps will look to maintain their lead on the Cup standings for 2016 in this game, while Portland will look to even the score in the MLS-era rivalry in nabbing their second Cup this year.
Vancouver, who won the first meeting between these clubs 2-1 on May 7, are entering the match on a three-game winning streak, by far their best form of the season. Although the striker corps has been struggling lately, with Masato Kudo and Octavio Rivero out with injury on the weekend, the contributions of veteran Blas Perez, and the recent goals from the midfield and wing have lifted the Whitecaps up the Western Conference standings. They will be keen to continue the run they're on.
Meanwhile, the defending MLS Cup champions are in opposing form at the moment, having lost three in a row, including a 2-1 decision to New York City FC on Sunday. The outcome? They currently sit ninth in the West, but the good news is it's only May, and they are only five points away from being back above the red line. A rivalry match could be exactly what the doctor ordered to get back on track.
LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes
Sunday, May 22, 7:00 PM ET
StubHub Center | Carson, Calif.
Watch: FS1 or MLS LIVE
One of the oldest MLS rivalries on the books, the California Clasico never disappoints. And even less so these days when both the Quakes (5-3-3, 5th in West) and Galaxy (5-1-4, 4th in West) are appearing like conference contenders.
They also both happen to be hitting their stride at the same time of late, fueled by their newer stars Alberto Quintero (SJ) and Giovani Dos Santos (LA) who are very much in form.
Their wily, veteran coaches — LA’s Bruce Arena (14 seasons) and the Quakes’ Dom Kinnear (13 seasons), who together have managed nearly 800 regular season matches — will try their best to make it feel like any other game. But it never is.
There are also a series of events leading up to all the action: #RivalryWeek Media Day at Twitter's NYC headquarters (Thursday), Human Foosball in New York City's Herald Square (8 am to 6:30 pm ET on Thursday) and the opening of Heineken House in West Hollywood.
