D.C. United players past and present sat down with Major League Soccer to talk about the Atlantic Cup and its history. Here's what they had to say about the fiercest rivalry in the league.
Dave Johnson, voice of D.C. United
On the history of the Atlantic Cup...
"There was something in the soccer bloodlines in this country that ensured this was going to be arguably the most intense rivalry. We're talking 23 years now, 23 years of stories and passion."
Jeff Agoos, defender, 1996-2000
On the earliest seeds of the rivalry...
"It really came down to one game (1996 Eastern Conference semifinal), and one play, that really changed the fate of both clubs. That [win] put us on a different trajectory."
John Harkes, midfielder, 1996-1998
On the organic roots of the rivalry...
"You never want to go in to a situation and manufacture a rivalry, and we didn't have to do that with New York."
On why the Atlantic Cup rivalry in particular is so special...
"That rivalry will always be the first."
Jesse Marsch, midfielder, 1996-1997
On how he viewed the MetroStars prior to joining the Red Bulls' coaching staff...
"When I was with D.C. United as a player, I looked at the MetroStars and I despised the way the club operated and the way the players acted."
Alecko Eskandarian, forward, 2003-2006
On how it felt to play in the rivalry...
"The tackles are a little bit harder and you run a little faster [against the Red Bulls]."
On his iconic "spitting of the Red Bull' goal celebration against New York...
"I remember Benny [Olsen] was like, 'are you going to do something crazy if you score today?' And he's like 'oh, you've got to do something with Red Bull, right?'"
Chris Durkin, midfielder, 2016-present
On whether the Atlantic Cup rivalry is dwindling..
"When you have the tradition of this rivalry, it's only going to get stronger."
Watch the full video on the history of the Atlantic Cup rivalry above or below.
