Fans of the San Jose Earthquakes are likely familiar with several pieces of soccer silverware, including MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, U.S. Open Cup and Concacaf Champions League. The lesser known trophy, and the one on the line this weekend, is the Heritage Cup.
The Heritage Cup trophy was designed by Quakes fan Rob Stevenson and was commissioned by San Jose's Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation in collaboration with supporters of Sounders FC. The two teams began competing for the trophy in 2009, when Seattle entered the league as an expansion side, and the ‘Heritage’ is in reference to the two teams longstanding rivalry from the NASL days.