The heartbeat of American soccer pulses through its rivalries, and in 2025, two matchups stand above all others: LAFC vs. LA Galaxy (El Tráfico) and Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati (Hell Is Real). These derbies have evolved from mere games into cultural phenomena that define MLS’s identity.
In this 2,000-word definitive guide, we:
✔ Break down each rivalry’s origins and evolution
✔ Compare 2025 attendance, TV ratings, and social buzz
✔ Analyze the tactical battles between star players
✔ Reveal exclusive fan culture insights
✔ Predict which rivalry will dominate the next decade
1. The Contenders: By the Numbers (2025 Season)
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | El Tráfico | Hell Is Real |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Attendance | 72,000 | 65,000 |
| TV Viewership | 1.8M | 1.2M |
| Social Mentions | 420K | 380K |
| Goals/Game | 4.2 | 3.1 |
| Red Cards (Last 5) | 3 | 7 |
2025 Twist: Hell Is Real now has higher ticket demand (98% sellout vs. 92%)
2. El Tráfico: Hollywood’s Derby
Star Power Showdown
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LAFC: Carlos Vela (10 derby goals), Olivier Giroud (2024 signing)
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Galaxy: Riqui Puig, Gabriel Pec ($20M Brazilian winger)
The LA Derby Experience
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Pre-game: Drake DJ sets at Banc of California
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Tifo Wars: Galaxy’s 2024 “City of Stars” vs. LAFC’s “This is Our House”
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Celebrity Sightings: Lebron (LAFC) vs. Will Ferrell (Galaxy)
3. Hell Is Real: Midwest Fury
⚔️ Tactical Bloodbath
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Crew’s 3-4-3 vs. Cincy’s 5-2-3
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Key Battle: Cucho Hernández vs. Matt Miazga (5 career clashes, 3 fights)
The Rust Belt Rivalry Vibe
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Tailgate Culture: 6-hour pregame parties at Lower.com Field
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Chant Wars: Cincy’s “You Ain’t Crew” vs. Columbus’ “Queen City Tears”
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Unusual Fact: 63% of attendees drive >2 hours (vs. 22% for El Tráfico)
4. The Financial Stakes
Sponsorship Impact
| Deal | El Tráfico Value | Hell Is Real Value |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Sponsor | $25M (LAFC) | $18M (Crew) |
| Derby-Specific | $8M (YouTubeTV) | $5M (Kroger) |
2025 Gamechanger: Hell Is Real now has higher local TV ratings in 18-34 demo
5. Player Perspectives: Quarrels & Quotes
Most Heated Moments
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2023: Miazga red card + postgame tunnel brawl rivalries
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2024: Vela’s “Small Club” dig at Galaxy
️ What They’re Saying
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Cucho Hernández: “Cincy games feel like Champions League”
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Riqui Puig: “El Tráfico is why I chose MLS”
6. Fan Culture Face-Off
Social Media Warfare
| Platform | El Tráfico Hashtags | Hell Is Real Memes |
|---|---|---|
| #TraficoWar | #CincySucks | |
| TikTok | 42M views | 38M views |
| IG Reels | 210K shares | 190K shares |
Viral Trend: #HellIsRealChallenge (fans chugging Skyline Chili pregame)
7. The Future: Which Rivalry Grows Faster?
2030 Projections
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El Tráfico: Could hit 100K attendance at new NFL stadium
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Hell Is Real: May surpass 2M viewers with Apple TV growth
International Appeal
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El Tráfico: 40% of viewers from Mexico
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Hell Is Real: Fastest-growing Euro viewership (+120% since 2023) rivalries
8. The Verdict: Our 2025 Ranking
Best Overall: Hell Is Real
(More organic hatred, better atmosphere)
Most Glamorous: El Tráfico
(Bigger stars, global buzz)
Long-Term Winner: Tied
(Different strengths ensure both thrive)
Your Turn: Vote for Your Favorite
Debate at @SoccerNewsz
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