Cascadia Cup

Lore & Background

In 2004, fan-based organizations supporting the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps sponsored the creation of a 2-foot-tall silver cup to be awarded annually to the club that finishes with the best record in the season series between the three rivals. From 2004 to 2006, the Cascadia Cup competition included all scheduled regular season A-League and later USL-1 matches played between the Sounders, Timbers, and Whitecaps. In 2007, the Virginia Beach Mariners folded just before the season started, leaving the USL 1st Division to scramble to fix the season schedule. The result was an unbalanced schedule, and as such it was decided to adjust the Cascadia Cup format for that season. Fans of all three Cascadian teams agreed to make only the last home and last away matches between constituent clubs count toward the Cup. In 2008 the clubs reverted to playing each other an equal three times each. The Cascadia Cup competition once again included all scheduled regular season USL-1 matches played between the three rivals. The Seattle Sounders of the USL-1 were made defunct in 2009 due to the introduction of the MLS expansion franchise of the same name. In 2009, it was announced that expansion teams would be allotted to Vancouver and Portland. Both teams were named after their predecessors, ensuring the continuation of the rivalry. Supporters of the Timbers and Whitecaps decided to continue the Cascadia Cup without the Sounders for two years while playing in the USL. In 2009, supporters of the Timbers and Whitecaps only included regular season USL-1 matches played between the teams and Portland won the cup for the first time. Some Sounders supporters wished to include a preseason victory over Vancouver and a US Open Cup match win at Portland for consideration in the cup standings while others believed that the Cascadia Cup competition should be suspended until 2011. Portland won the Cup for a second consecutive year in 2010. The 2011 MLS season marked the first season since 2008 in which all three teams would be in the same league. Seattle claimed their third title by going undefeated in Cascadia Cup play – coming from behind to win both of their road games in Portland and Vancouver while earning draws at home. For the 2012 MLS season the league changed to an unbalanced schedule. As a result, each team would play the other two Cascadia club three ti

In Their Own Story

The rain falls heavily on the pitch at Q2 Stadium, blurring the lines between the green grass and the grey sky. In the stands, a sea of green and white claps in unison, the rhythm shaking the concrete foundations of the stadium. A Seattle fan, soaked to the bone, raises a homemade banner depicting the three cities united by rivalry. As the ball is kicked toward goal, the roar from the traveling Vancouver contingent clashes with the home crowd's chant, creating a deafening wall of sound that echoes off the Olympic Mountains.

Reader's Guide

In most years since all three teams have been in MLS (2011–present), all of the games between the Cascadia teams count in Cascadia Cup standings. In some years, however, some of the matchups are uneven, with more games between some pairs of teams than others. In 2018, for instance, the Timbers-Sounders matchup was played three times but the Whitecaps played the other two teams only twice each. To keep the Cup competition balanced in these years, only a subset of games count toward the Cup standings, with the supporters groups agreeing before the season which games to count. In 2018, for instance, the final two games of each matchup were the ones that counted, and the initial Timbers-Sounders game on May 13 was excluded. The winner each year is decided by these criteria, in order: Greater number of points in all Cascadia Cup matches. Greater number of points earned in matches between teams tied on points. Greater goal difference in matches between teams tied on points. Greater number of goals scored in matches between teams tied on points. Reapply previous three criteria if two or more teams are still tied. Greater goal difference in all Cascadia Cup matches. Greater number of goals scored in all Cascadia Cup matches. Smaller number of disciplinary points in all Cascadia Cup matches (yellow = 1 point, red = 2 points).

Did You Know?

• The original Cascadia Cup trophy was a 2-foot-tall silver cup, not a wooden cup or shield.
• The Cascadia Cup was first contested in 2004, not 2003.
• The competition existed in the USL-1 before all three teams joined MLS.
• In 2020, no winner was awarded because matches not played in front of supporters did not count toward the standings.

Origins and Early Competition

The Cascadia Cup trophy emerged in 2004 through the collective effort of supporter groups backing the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps. This two-foot-tall silver award was designed to honor the Pacific Northwest region where these clubs reside. Initially, the competition encompassed every regular-season fixture between the rivals within the A-League and USL-1 structures. The inaugural winner was the Whitecaps in 2004. However, logistical challenges arose in 2007 when the Virginia Beach Mariners folded, creating an unbalanced schedule. To maintain fairness, fans agreed to count only the final home and away encounters for that specific year. By 2008, normalcy returned with three equal matchups per pair of teams, ensuring all scheduled league games contributed to the standings once again.

MLS Transition and Rivalry Continuity

A significant shift occurred in 2009 when the USL-1 Seattle Sounders ceased operations following MLS expansion plans. While Vancouver and Portland remained in the lower division, they continued the Cup without their rival for two years, with Portland securing back-to-back titles. Some supporters debated including preseason or Open Cup results to keep Seattle involved, but most favored suspension until 2011. That year marked a reunion as all three franchises joined Major League Soccer simultaneously. Seattle capitalized on this return by claiming their third title through an undefeated record in regional play, overcoming deficits in away games against both rivals while drawing at home. This era solidified the rivalry within the top flight of American soccer.

Trademark Dispute and Fan Ownership

In late 2012, a legal conflict emerged when Major League Soccer filed for trademark rights to the competition's name. The three primary supporter organizations—the Timbers Army, Emerald City Supporters, and Vancouver Southsiders—responded by establishing the Cascadia Cup Council to protect their intellectual property. Although MLS claimed their move was intended to prevent third-party abuse, fan groups disputed this motivation. Negotiations followed throughout early 2013, culminating in a July agreement where the Council retained ownership of the trademark. Crucially, the deal stipulated that no monetization could occur without unanimous consent from all involved parties, ensuring the trophy remained under community control rather than league administration.

Scoring Mechanics and Competitive Balance

Determining the annual champion relies on a specific hierarchy of criteria starting with total points earned in designated matches. If teams remain tied, head-to-head results take precedence, followed by goal difference and goals scored within those specific games. Disciplinary records serve as the final tiebreaker, where yellow cards equal one point and red cards equal two. To address unbalanced league schedules, such as in 2018 when matchups varied between clubs, supporter groups pre-select which contests count toward the standings to ensure equity. Additionally, matches played without spectators, like those during 2020 or the MLS is Back Tournament, were explicitly excluded from calculations by the Council to preserve the spirit of fan engagement inherent in the trophy's creation.

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