Atlanta United FC: Which Team Could Become Our Rival?

All sports fans love a good rivalry, MLB, NFL, Hockey, and particularly soccer. Who could become the most hated rival of Atlanta United FC when they take to the pitch for the first time in spring of 2017?

Looking across the pond, you have the El Clasico (Real Madrid vs Barcelona), Manchester United vs Liverpool, and Inter Milan vs A.C. Milan to name a few. So what about the MLS? While the league doesn’t have huge historical rivalries at the moment (mainly due to how long the league and teams have been around), it does have some very heated matches (New York Red Bulls vs D.C. United, Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers). Not only do these games give bragging rights to the winners, it also nets them three valuable points, and sometimes even trophies (such as the MLS Rivalry Cup). With the inaugural season for Atlanta United FC coming up, which club will be Atlanta United FC’s rivalry team?

1) Orlando City SC: Orlando City made a splash (no pun intended) in the transfer market their inaugural season. Their biggest signing being Brazilian legend Kaka. Unlike other teams on this list, Orlando has just started in the MLS. With Atlanta United FC‘s arrival in the MLS landscape, there could be a foundation laid for who is the best new Eastern Conference MLS team. While Orlando is currently playing sub par (5 games under 500, and 14 points from first place), there is no reason to doubt that a good rivalry could emerge. However, things might change when David Beckham’s Miami expansion team comes around.

2) Philadelphia Union: The Union have been in the league for around 7 years. During that time they have had their ups and downs (their best season had the team coming in 3^rd in the eastern conference and 8^th in the league). However, with the experience they have in the league, this could be a good rivalry for fans to get behind. At this very moment, the Union is sitting even further down that Orlando (they are currently second to last in the Eastern Conference), so the current lack of competition could stand int the way of this potential rivalry having teeth. Although, by the time Atlanta is ready to play, Philadelphia’s fortune might have turned, and the match might be very competitive. Only time will tell; although, I know Atlanta fans would love to beat Philly in another sport.

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3) DC United: United have been around longer than the other two teams combined; furthermore, in the MLS, they have a history that Atlanta United FC would love to emulate (4 MLS cups, 5 Eastern Conference Cups, CONCACAF Champions League Cup). While they have stuttered in the last couple of years, they are playing excellent this year (they are currently tied for second in the Eastern Conference). It would be great to have a rivalry with such a distinguished club. With the rivalry between the Braves and the Nationals in the MLB and the Hawks and the Wizards in the NBA, it would be great for Atlanta United FC’s fans to carry their Washington rivalry over to soccer.

While it will take some time to see which team will take the rivalry spot, I believe all the teams mentioned would fit in well.

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