There are countless derbies all over the world filled with animosity and hate. Chiefly among them; Werder Bremen v Hamburg, Olympique Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain, Boca Juniors v River Plate, Arsenal v Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04. One could easily go on for lines and lines of text listing the major derbies around the world, but one thing is constant between them all: a feeling of dislike between the groups of fans involved, be it a minor nagging feeling at the sight of the other team’s fans or a steam-shooting-out-your-ears hate.

Here in Seattle, we have our own derby that is renowned in all corners of the world, even despite the sentiment from many that MLS is a below-par league. I am, of course, speaking of the bitter rivalry with the Sounder’s arch-rivals: the Portland Timbers.

I’ve only had the pleasure of attending one clash between the Sounders and the Timbers, for the first leg of the 2013 MLS Cup Conference Semifinal (which the Sounders lost 2-1, for the record), and I can honestly say it was the most incredibly matchday experience I’ve ever experienced. Having attended PSG’s quarterfinal encounter with Chelsea in 2013, I think it’s fair to say my standards on such events are rather high.

This rivalry, dating back to 1975 in the NASL, is among the oldest and most storied in North America. The relations between the two sets of fans over the ensuing 40-year war of hipster culture and fish jokes has seen a mutual feeling of disdain and occasionally burning hate develop (in the fullest extent that hate can exist in sport, of course), and such relations are on constant display whenever these two sides meet in any competition.

Apr 18, 2015; Sandy, UT, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Gershon Koffie (28) passes the ball during the first half against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Whitecaps won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

But the Sounders do have another “local” rival, if the Cascadia Cup is anything to go by: the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Ever since the ‘Caps were added to MLS in the 2010 season, the Sounders have claimed to have a second rival in the Cascadia region. But is it really a rivalry?

Over the duration of my residency in Seattle (predating the Whitecaps’ promotion to the top flight of soccer in the United States/Canada), I’ve been intrigued by the Whitecaps, and have had the immense pleasure of attending several games between them and my local darling club in rave green.

Given everything that rivalries are bred by and breed themselves, the dislike of opposition simply for the fact that they exist and so on, I’m not entirely sure the “rivalry” between the Sounders and the Whitecaps is at all conventional. Don’t get my wrong, when push comes to shove I want the Sounders to smash the ‘Caps every time they meet, but that’s the case for every team the Sounders share a field with. But I also tend to find myself rooting for the Whitecaps whenever I see they’re playing a game with anyone else in the league.

Jul 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps fan watches the warm up against the Seattle Sounders at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Adding to this peculiar feeling of not necessarily disliking a “local rival” is the fact that I will soon be moving to a city that is closer to Vancouver than it is to Seattle, so my “local team” will technically be the Whitecaps. Even before this became a reality, though, I was always somewhat sympathetic with the ‘Caps, for several reasons.

Chiefly among them is probably the fact that Vancouver Whitecaps fans tend to embody entirely the stereotype that Canadians are extremely polite. I have never had a bad experience with a Vancouver Whitecaps fan, and that’s not something that can be said for just about any other team in MLS.

Vancouver is also a lovely city to spend some time in, as I’ve experienced firsthand. Now, it’s certainly no Seattle, but it’s a whole lot better than that below-par Seattle-knockoff from down in Oregon. The rich range of cultures in Vancouver makes it a fascinating city to spend time in, and that’s saying a lot coming from a Seattleite.

Finally, the Vancouver Whitecaps are just a well-run club. In their short time in MLS they have already managed to find that desirable balance between youth integration and designated player reliance, something very few clubs in MLS can claim and the Sounders have only achieved very recently.

As the Sounder’s trip north of the border to Vancouver approaches as they attempt to rebound from a disappointing 3-2 loss at the hands of Columbus, I’m left in a peculiar state of not being sure how to feel about our ‘rivals’. Of course, as I’ve already said, I always want the Sounders to win, but there’s nowhere near as much emotional investment in this game for me as there is whenever Portland is involved.

So, I leave you with one question…

Is the Sounders-Whitecaps rivalry a "friendly" rivalry? Yes

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