HELP US NAME THE TFC/CREW CUP

Bring on the names! We all know you can name a hawk, but can you name the big prize we hope to show off in our slick new trophy case?

We think that March 29th is the start of something big. Toronto FC and Columbus Crew will play three times over the course of the season, and with Columbus as our closest geographical opponent (six hours is nothing in a car), we want to raise the stakes. We’ll put our head to head record on the line to see who comes out on top at the end of the season.

After the large support shown of over 1100 Toronto FC fans that are traveling to the season opener in Columbus on March 29th, both teams have decided to design a cup/trophy/plate, which will be awarded to the team with the most points resulting from the head to head meetings in the regular season. But we need your help! The only things we could think of that our two cities have in common is that we’re the capitals of our province/state, and we both lay claim to having the first soccer specific stadiums in our respective countries ...

The online poll is waiting to take your submissions to name the big event. Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, February 20th @ 5 PM.

Shortly after, with Columbus' input, we will narrow down the best submissions, and you can vote for your favourite from February 25th - March 5th.

Submit Your Nomination »

Need some more direction? Here are current "cups" on the line with other MLS teams.

Brimstone Cup
// Chicago Fire vs FC Dallas

The cup was created during the 2001 season. Its name came from a reference of the names of the two teams at the time - F.C. Dallas was then the Dallas Burn. The name is reflected with a quote from Virgil's Aeneid engraved on the base: "The more the kindled combat rises high'r, The more with fury burns the blazing fire." Dallas has won this cup the past 5 years. Chicago won it in 2001. It was not awarded in 2002.

Honda SuperClasico
// LA Galaxy vs C.D. Chivas USA

For this particular derby, the name "Superclásico" comes from the Mexican superclásico between America and Chivas. This term is also used for the famous Boca Juniors vs. River Plate derby in Buenos Aires. The derby is sponsored by Honda, and the teams play four league games a year (in addition to any US Open Cup or playoff matches). All games are played at The Home Depot Center, which is the home ground of both clubs. It started in 2005 following Chivas’ expansion.

Rocky Mountain Cup
// Colorado vs Salt Lake

The Cup is awarded by the Committee of 10, the fans who run the competition, to the team with the most points in games played between the two. The teams are awarded 3 points for each win and 1 point for each tie in regular season MLS games against each other. The Cup is awarded at the conclusion of the season. If the teams end the season in a points tie, the team with the most goals on aggregate wins. The two tiebreakers following are most away goals and most recent head-to-head victory. The cup was created in 2005, the first year of play for Real Salt Lake.

Atlantic Cup
// D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls

This is perhaps the most bitter rivalry in MLS. The rivalry developed partially due to the relative proximity of the cities (about 200 miles apart) which allows rival fans to attend games. The actual cities are "rivals" as Washington is the political capital of the United States while New York is the center of commerce and media.

Texas Derby, or El Capitan Clasico
// Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas

The two squads play a season series with the winner of the season series winning an 18th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon (named El Capitán), which recognizes the best MLS team in the state of Texas during the year. Since its inception, the Houston Dynamo have won both the 2006 and 2007 title.

California Clásico
// LA Galaxy vs San Jose

This rivalry died when San Jose lost their team for two seasons. It will be revived again this year! This rivalry originated from the historical Northern California vs. Southern California sporting and cultural rivalries, as well as from the relative proximity of the cities (about 360 miles apart) which allows rival fans to attend each others games.

Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup (pre-season)
// FC Dallas vs Columbus

Named after the late Lamar Hunt, one of the league's major investors and a key supporter of American soccer, this game is played between the two MLS teams owned by the Hunt Sports Group.