Mr. Henderson dismisses the rivalry that is growing between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls as a manufactured and forced construct of fan boys and wannabes. You can read his take here. He posits that in his opinion a rivalry MUST have history. That is not the case and another example of the plastic fan syndrome that this writer outlined in a previous article. “They can’t be true fans, because A, if they were they would have supported the Red Bulls, and B, they have nothing to be a fan about yet." 

Yes, some rivalries have history and are created over the fact that one team hampers whatever dream the other team is chasing. A professional rivalry of knowing that they are the team you need to beat if you want to make it to the finals or playoffs. But history is not what drives rivalries, passion is what drives rivalries. True rivalries have a geographical proximity, because they are, by nature, driven by the fans and not the teams. This writer is quite certain that when those young upstarts in England, Arsenal, came onto the scene an instantaneous rivalry was born between them and the older, and this writer’s first love, team across the way in Tottenham. No history needed.

That is because a rivalry stems from a non-agreement with opposing fans and this is usually born out of the fact that they are so much like you that you can’t possibly understand how they can cheer for that other team. It’s very easy to dismiss those in Los Angeles because “they” are not like us. By location they are different. You can have a professional rivalry but you would never “hate” their fans, because you don’t know them. With a geographical rivalry, you do know those fans because they are you. The Spurs and Arsenal both represent North London. Manchester City and Manchester United are the two big boys in Manchester. Hell, Everton and Liverpool have stadiums on opposite sides of the same park. Boston fans can easily travel to NYC and visa-versa. The fans mingle and grudges are born. 

This writer's colleague asks “Why are these supporters so die hard about a franchise that has yet to not only prove their worth or mettle in MLS, but has yet to truly do anything outstanding for the supporters group as a unit?” This is both inaccurate and unfair. New York City FC has done more for the Man in Seat 9 as a prospective supporter, supporter, and finally season ticket holder, than anything New York Red Bulls ever attempted. It’s an argument yours truly has repeatedly needed to make (Red Bulls, It’s Me, Not You), and (Why NYCFC? Or, What MLS Got Right).  Supporters Groups are only a small percentage of the overall fan base. And you don't choose your team or to what extent you will support that team based on their worth or mettle in a league. You choose to support them for personal reasons that resound with you and you alone and you choose to support them passionately. All in. No looking back.

Mr. Henderson’s argument regarding the rivalry is, in fact, proof that the rivalry exists. A good portion of the article is spent defending that there is not a rivalry, because, how could there be? He minimizes the passion that both sides feel. This writer believes that his umbrage started long before the brawl that took place prior to the match, which was forced. But not from the supporters of NYCFC looking for a rivalry, but for a group of ten or so jackasses who are “Ultra” supporters and who wanted a fight to reclaim their "honor". A group who’s banner states that they are “Against Modern Football.” Whatever that means. Maybe, they enjoy playing the game with the heads of their enemies, or with an air filled sheep’s bladder. "It was all fine until refs got involved!" 

That culture is forced. That culture is manufactured. But it is not the culture of the eighteen thousand season ticket holders, or twenty-five thousand consistent fans. And NYCFC supporters should not be judged by them, much the same as NYRB supporters should not be judged by the twenty or so who poured beer and soda on the family section during the match at Yankee Stadium.

There is a rivalry. It is young, yes, but passionate. You don’t create sell outs during all three matches without one. Pretending a rivalry doesn’t exits does not mean that there isn’t one. This writer has made his choice, and win, lose, or draw, will be supporting New York City until the end. As to Mr. Henderson and his belief that there is no rivalry, “The writer doth protest too much, me thinks.”