MLS: Could Columbus vs Orlando City Become a Rivalry?

Columbus Crew Orlando City MLS rivalry 2015If you’re a soccer fans and haven’t been paying attention to the MLS, you are missing out.

The league started in 1996 with mixed results, but it has gained steam in North America with each consecutive World Cup. The league now sits at 20 teams with teams in Atlanta, Minnesota and Los Angeles joining over the next three seasons.

Speaking of new teams in the MLS, Orlando City SC are currently playing their inaugural season in the league. They are only 13 games into their first year, but they seem to have ignited a rivalry with the Columbus Crew, one of the handful of original MLS teams left.

If you watched last Saturday’s match between Columbus and Orlando City, you would have thought these teams had a rich, historic rivalry like Manchester United and Arsenal. A rough slide tackle by OCSC’s Rafael Ramos in their previous meeting in April was the reason for a very physical match on Saturday. Columbus must have circled the date on the calendar immediately after the previous contest. Blood, sweat and tears were spilled on the pitch.

Columbus and Orlando City combined for ten cards in their only two meetings. The stage is set for a possible rivalry between the two clubs. MLS needs more rivalries like Seattle and Portland have right now.

The next time these two teams face each other is August 1st in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl. It should be another fun one.

Follow us on Twitter @Sweetbob & ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook!

sweetbob-author-picAbout the Author… Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.