The Milwaukee Cup is a traveling
trophy
A trophy is a tangible, decorative item used to remind of a specific achievement, serving as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most commonly awarded for sports, sporting events, ranging from youth sports to professional level athlet ...
awarded to the winner of the annual men's soccer (
association football
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
) match between
Marquette University
Marquette University () is a Private university, private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was established as Marquette College on August 28, 1881, by John Henni, the first Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Ar ...
and the
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UW–Milwaukee, UWM, or Milwaukee) is a Public university, public Urban university, urban research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It is the largest university in the Milwaukee metropo ...
.
Milwaukee leads the all-time series, 31–12–7, however, Marquette currently holds the cup after a 5-2 victory over Milwaukee at
Valley Fields
Valley Fields is a 1,750-seat outdoor stadium and practice facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, primarily used by the varsity men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams at Marquette University, all of which compete in the Big East Conference. The ...
on September 20, 2022 and a 1-1 draw in the most recent two meetings. In the event of a draw, the cup remains in possession of the school holding it previously.
Cup matches since 2006 have taken on a heightened sense of
rivalry
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant ...
due to
Louis Bennett's acceptance of the head coaching position at Marquette. Bennett took the job after 10 successful seasons as the head coach at Milwaukee.
The September 13, 2006, match took on extra importance for Milwaukee as it was the first played under lights at
Engelmann Field. The undertaking to have lights installed was largely initiated and supported by Bennett and his staff while they coached at UWM. Milwaukee won, 3–2.
The cup match stands as one of the few examples of a true
derby
Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...
in American soccer.
Match Results
References
{{Wisconsinsports
Sports in Milwaukee
College soccer rivalries in the United States
College soccer rivalry trophies in the United States
1973 establishments in Wisconsin
Recurring sporting events established in 1973
Marquette Golden Eagles men's soccer
Milwaukee Panthers men's soccer