The Atlantic Cup is both the name of the rivalry, as well as the trophy awarded to the winner of the regular season series between D.C. United, and the New York Red Bulls.

The two sides met again in the Conference Semifinals 1996 MLS Cup Playoffs, where United defeated the MetroStars 2–1 in a best-of-three series.

The first game of the post-season series, played on September 24, 1996, ended in the MetroStars' favor, as NY/NJ posted a victory in the shootout following a 2–2 tie after regulation.

Despite the poorer form from the MetroStars, the club won the regular season series against United, through the virtue of more aggregate goals.

[5] The two sides faced off four times during the season, with United winning the first two outings, while the MetroStars won the final two meetings.

In the final regular season matchup, held on September 27, 1997; United lost at home by a 3–1 scoreline against the MetroStars, ultimately failing to win the series.

[5] At the start of the 2002 Major League Soccer season, a formal trophy was incarnated by the administrators of D.C. United and the MetroStars, which was titled the "Atlantic Cup".

The match, played in Wilmington, North Carolina, saw United emerge victorious 1–0 off a Ronald Cerritos goal in the 30th minute.

For example, MetroStars players Tony Meola and Tab Ramos were long time acquaintances of D.C. United's captain John Harkes.

The rivalry became even greater when the two met at Giants Stadium on April 22, 2006 as Alecko Eskandarian scored the first goal of a 4–1 D.C. United victory.

However, in the return match, United earned a 1–0 away victory at Red Bull Arena, giving them some consolation over New York, but ultimately failing to win the Atlantic Cup for the second straight year.

In spite of winning the Atlantic Cup for two-straight years, making it New York's first time since 2003, players expressed disinterest in the honor.

The match ended in New York's advantage, earning a 3–2 victory over D.C. Ex-United midfielder Brandon Barklage netted two of the Red Bulls' three goals.

On January 18, 2022, the LA Galaxy announced that the Red Bulls and D.C. United will participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational.

[9] Despite D.C. United taking advantage of the Red Bulls in the 2000s, New York has seized control of the rivalry in the late 2010s, as well as the early 2020s.

The largest supporters groups of D.C. United, La Barra Brava, and the Screaming Eagles, formed in 1995, a year before the inaugural season of the league.

La Norte is known for bringing a heavy Latin-American feel to RFK Stadium and its atmosphere, launching toilet paper, banners, and playing various instruments much like club teams in South America.

In addition, United won the 1998 Copa Interamericana, an infrequently-held and now-defunct super cup between the champions of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL.