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| Full name | Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V.[1] | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Águilas (Eagles) Azulcremas (Blue Creams) Millonetas (Millionaires) |
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| Founded | 12 October 1916 (96 years ago) | |||
| Ground | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico (capacity: 105,000[2]) |
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| Owner | Grupo Televisa | |||
| Chairman | Ricardo Peláez | |||
| Manager | Miguel Herrera | |||
| League | Liga MX | |||
| Clausura 2013 | 2nd | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
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Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V., commonly known as Club América or América, is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Liga MX, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas (Spanish: The Eagles).
América was founded on 12 October 1916, and is one of two football clubs owned by Televisa (along with Club Necaxa).[3] The team plays its home games at the Estadio Azteca, the largest stadium in Mexico and Latin America, and the second largest football stadium in the world.[4][5][6]
The club has a long standing rivalry with Club Deportivo Guadalajara, as both are the most successful and popular clubs in Mexico.[7] Matches between them are known as El Súper Clásico. They are also the only two clubs to have never been relegated to the countries' second division.[8]
América is one of the most successful clubs in Mexico.[9][10][11] Domestically, the club has ten national titles, which places it tied for second most along with Toluca. Besides having ten domestic championships, América have eight FIFA recognized international club trophies, the most for a club from the CONCACAF region and tying them with Bayern Munich, Santos, Olimpia, and Étoile du Sahel worldwide. They have won five CONCACAF Champions' Cups, two Copa Interamericana cups, and one CONCACAF Giants Cup.[12][13][14]
In 2010, The International Federation of Football History and Statistics named América "Central and North American club of the 1st Decade of the 21st Century".[15][16][17]
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By 1917 soccer/futbol was already a popular sport in Mexico, particularly amongst college students in Mexico City. College students from Colegio Mascarones and Colegio Marista De La Perpetua formed two football teams with the names Récord and Colón. On 12 October 1916, the two squads decided to join to make a more competitive squad. Many names were considered for this new squad, but finally, Pedro "Cheto" Quintanilla, one of the players, suggested América since they had formed the team on Columbus Day (Día del descubrimiento de América). The players agreed and soon designed a crest which had the map of America with a 'C' for Club and an 'A' for América on each side. After they had created their logo, the players had to decide on their team colours. Rafael Garza Gutiérrez went to get some of his father's navy blue trousers and a yellow shirt and it was decided amongst the group that those would be the club's colors .
In 1916, Club América had to prove itself in order to be accepted into the Mexican Football League, which primarily consisted of foreign players. At the time, América was the only team in Mexico City with an all-Mexican club. Necaxa, Atlante, Real España, Germania, and Asturias were already members of the Liga Mayor De La Ciudad. América's acceptance into the league depended on three games. In order to be accepted, América could not lose any of the three games. América subsequently won two games and tied the third. América was accepted as a result and formed part of the league.
In 1918, the team changed its name due to bad results with the original name. The new name didn’t fare too well either and was changed back to América in 1920.[18] From 1924 to 1928, América was crowned league champion and was able to attract impressive crowds. In 1926, América became the first Mexican club to play outside of Mexico.[18] Aside from broadening their horizons, Club América along with Atlante petitioned to reduce the number of foreign players in the league. Shortly after the Mexican Football Federation was formed in 1928, Rafael Garza Gutiérrez, América's founder, was designated as the National Team head coach. Most of the Mexican national team that participated in the 1928 Olympics and 1930 World Cup were players that played for América.[19]
Up until 1942, every league in Mexico was considered a regional league even though the league in Mexico City was considered the strongest of them all. In 1942–43, the first National League was established and it was known as the Liga Mayor (Major League). Club América wasn't the team it had been during the 1920s on through the early 1930s. Aging players, lack of resources, and lack of interest took its toll on the club which led the team to become a bottom-feeder for much of the beginning stages of the professional era7.
During this time, the rivalry between América and Guadalajara was born, especially during the 1945–1946 season in which Guadalajara beat América 6–4 and 4–2. The 1951–1952 season saw América reach their lowest point in the table, reaching position 11 out of 12 with merely a 3-point-difference from Veracruz, who were eventually relegated.
In 1956, the club was sold to soft drink manufacturer Jarritos. The new owner was trying to build upon the club's National Cup titles in 1954 and 1955 against Guadalajara, their soon to be rival.[20] During the 1954–55 season América won their first Campeón de Campeones championship, defeating Zacatepec 2–3.[21] The owner failed to build upon the previous success and on 22 July 1959, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, owner of Telesistema Mexicano (Televisa), bought América from Isaac Bessudo.[22] Following the acquisition, Azcárraga told his players, "I do not know much about football, but I do know a lot about business, and this, gentlemen, will be a business7".
The 1959–1960 season saw América reach second place for the first time, behind Guadalajara. On 21 April 1964 at the Estadio Universitario de Nuevo León, the team, now coached by Alejandro Scopelli defeated Monterrey 6–5 in the championship match of the Copa México. During the match Alfonso Portugal scored 5 of the 6 goals for América; José González scored the other goal to win the championship.[23]
In 1965 América regained the Mexican "Copa" championship, beating the "Canarios" of Morelia 4–0 on 7 March at the Olympic Stadium in Ciudad Universitaria. The goals were scored by Javier Fragoso and Vavá, each scoring twice.[24]
After the 1970 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico hosted, the league tournament format was changed in order to bring more excitement over the championship's dispute, hence the Liguilla (play-offs) format was born. The first play-off final was between the leaders of groups 1 and 2, Toluca and América. America got a 0–0 draw playing as visitor and then beat Toluca 2–0 in the Azteca Stadium to win their second championship. The following season saw a play-off match between rivals Cruz Azul and América, who beat them 4–1 in the Azteca Stadium. Revenge was assured for America in the 1973 Copa Mexico, defeating Cruz Azul 2–0.[25] After some years of not qualifying to the playoffs, América reached first place in group one in the 1975–1976 season, beating Tecos UAG and Union de Curtidores to reach the final round against Universidad de Guadalajara. América won the championship after beating U.A.G. in the Jalisco Stadium 3–0 and later 1–0 in the Azteca Stadium, winning their third title. They also won the Campeon de Campeones title by beating UANL Tigres 2–0.
In 1978, América participated in their first Copa Interamericana, playing against Boca Juniors. América would win the championship by a score of 2–1 after extra-time, with a last second free-kick goal by Chilean player Carlos Reinoso. América became the first team from Mexico and from the CONCACAF region to win the competition. América also became the first confederation side to earn the "double" in a single year as it won the delayed 1977 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.[26]
America won the league five times, including three consecutive titles: the 1983–84 season, the 1984–85 season, the Prode 1985, the 1987–88 and the 1988–89 season. They also won the Mexican Super Cup twice, in 1987–88 and 1988–89. And they won the 1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
The 1983–1984 season saw América reach the top of the table and reach the finals. The opponent was Guadalajara, and América defeated them in the Azteca Stadium 3–1.[27] The following season América once again reached the finals against UNAM Pumas. After two draws in both the Azteca Stadium and the Mexico '68 Stadium, the last game was played in the Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro, where Daniel Brailovsky secured the championship for América by scoring two goals with the final score of 3–1.[28]
Due to the Mexico 1986 World Cup stadium and infraestructure preparations, the tournament was split in two short tournaments: Prode-85 and Mexico-86. América got the top of their group in the Prode-85 and defeated Universidad de Guadalajara and Atlante to get to the final round, where they played Tampico Madero. The game in Tampico was a 4–1 victory for the Jaibos, but at the Azteca Stadium América beat Tampico Madero 4–0 to win the championship.
For the 1987–88 final, América played UNAM, a replay of the 1985 final. They defeated UNAM by an aggregate score of 4–2.[29]
In the 1990s, America won only the CONCACAF Cup in 1990,[30] an Interamericana Cup Championship in 1993,[31] and a CONCACAF Cup Championship in 1992. In the 1990–1991 season, América dominated its group and reached the playoffs to eliminate Universidad de Guadalajara in the quarterfinal round and Guadalajara in the semifinal round, only to reach the final and lose to UNAM. In 1994, club president Emilio Diez Barroso announced the hiring of Dutch manager Leo Beenhakker, who had previously coached Spanish club Real Madrid to a La Liga title. The club also announced the signing of two African players, Cameroon international François Omam-Biyik and Zambian national team captain Kalusha Bwalya. Other Mexican players such as Joaquin Del Olmo, Raul Gutierrez, among others were signed as well. América finished the season with 51 points, and scoring 88 goals. With only a few matches remaining in the regular season, Beenhakker was fired as manager. It was rumored that conflict between the coach and president regarding Beenhacker's defending of playing Del Olmo was the reason for his sacking.[32] América reached the semifinals, losing to Cruz Azul. This América team is considered one of the best in the club's history, despite not winning any silverware.[33]
In 1998, América, along with Guadalajara, became the first Mexican clubs to participate in the Copa Libertadores. They were inserted in a group where both teams confronted clubs from Venezuela. América finished in second position of the qualifying stage and advanced to the group stages. América was put in Group 3 along with Guadalajara and Brazilian clubs Gremio and Vasco da Gama. América qualified to the next round finishing in third place, being eliminated by Argentine club River Plate.[34]
In the 2000s, America won a CONCACAF Giants Cup in 2001, the first League championship in 13 years in the summer of 2002, and the team's tenth overall league title in 2005.[35]
In 2006, América defeated fellow-Mexican side Toluca to win the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, thus qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup that same year.[36] In this tournament, América won its first match against the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea). América went on to lose the next match against FC Barcelona (Spain). It ended its participation in the tournament, losing the 3rd place spot to Al-Ahly (Egypt). They finished 4th in the 2006 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.[37]
After the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup, América qualified for the playoffs of the Clausura 2007 defeating Atlas and Guadalajara in the quarter and semi-finals. They played the finals against Pachuca, finishing runners-up.
For the Apertura 2007, after starting off the season on a poor run, coach Luis Fernando Tena was sacked as coach, and the job was given to Daniel Brailovsky. They finished the tournament third in their group and sixth in the standings, they played Morelia for the last spot in the playoffs, being beaten 3–0 in the first leg, and winning 1–0 in the second leg. With this, América was eliminated from the competition.
América also participated in the 2007 Copa Sudamericana, reaching the finals to play against Arsenal de Sarandí of Argentina. They would lose the first leg at the Estadio Azteca 3–2, and win 2–1 in Argentina. The aggragate result was 4–4, but due to the away-goal difference, Arsenal won the championship.
América finished 2007 ranked tenth in the IFFHS's Club World Rankings, becoming the first Mexican club to reach the top ten.[38][39][40]
The Clausura 2008 saw América end in last place in the general standings. This had not been seen since the mid-1950s. In the first 5 months of 2008, América was showered with 12 defeats, 2 draws and 3 victories, along with three straight championships without qualifying for the playoffs. The coach at the time was Rubén Omar Romano, who was one of the least successful coaches in the club's history.[41] Ironically, after being replaced by Juan Antonio Luna,[42] América got their third victory of the Clausura over Monterrey 1–0. América also played well in the Copa Libertadores, beating Brazilian side Flamengo 3–0, thus advancing to the quarter-finals.[43] They were later eliminated from the tournament in the semi-finals.
For the Apertura 2010 América brought back former manager Manuel Lapuente.[44] The return of Vicente Matías Vuoso to the club and the signing of Uruguayan Vicente Sánchez gave América one of the most dangerous front lines in all of the league.[45][46] They finished the season in first place of Group 2, and fourth in the general table, with 27 points. With this, they would advance to the playoffs, and automatically qualify for the first time since 2008, for the 2011 Copa Libertadores. They would be eliminated in the semi-finals by Santos, with a 4–5 aggragate score.[47]
America had a bad start in 2011. With a 0–2–1 record in the first three games the Clausura tournament, Manuel Lapuente was sacked as coach.[48] His successor would be Carlos Reinoso,[49] who had already coached the club two times before. His first game was against Atlas, a game that they won 2–0.[50] He ended the Clausura 2011 with an 8–1–5 record for him. They would be eliminated in the quarter-finals by Morelia.[51]
On 18 September 2011 Carlos Reinoso was sacked as manager,[52] with Alfredo Tena taking over as manager for the rest of the season. América would finish in 17th place, the second worst finish in the club's history. On 10 November, Michel Bauer stepped down as President.[53] That same day, ex-América player Ricardo Peláez was presented as Sporting President, while Yon De Luisa would be named Operations President.[54]
Miguel Herrera was presented as the club's new coach, the fourth in a year.[55] In his first year at the helm, Herrera brought the team to the semi-finals on two consecutive occasions.
América plays its home games at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stadium was designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, and was inaugurated on 29 May 1966, with a match between América and Torino, which was tied 2–2. The first goal was scored was by Brazilian Arlindo Dos Santos. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz President of Mexico made the initial kick and Sir Stanley Rous, FIFA President, was the witness.
The club has shared the stadium as a home ground with the Mexico national football team since its inauguration. Other club sides have also used the stadium as their home at different times, namely Necaxa (1966–70 and 1982–2003), Atlante (1966–82, 1996–2001 and 2004–2007), Universidad Nacional (1967–1969), Atlético Español (1970–1982) and Cruz Azul (1971–1996).
As well as acting as a home ground the stadium has also hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics, 1970 FIFA World Cup, 1975 Pan American Games, 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship, 1986 FIFA World Cup, 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup Final, Copa Interamericana, Copa Libertadores de América, music concerts, political events and the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1999.[56]
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According to a February 2013 poll conducted by Mexican pollster Consulta Mitofsky, América is Mexico's second-most popular football club, with 16.6 percent, with rivals Guadalajara named the most popular with 20.4 percent. América is also considered the most hated club in Mexico, with 40.9 percent.[60][61][62]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1988–89 | Adidas | NA |
| 1989–90 | Adidas | Bancomer |
| 1990–91 | Adidas | NA |
| 1991–92 | Umbro | Coca-Cola |
| 1992–96 | Adidas | Coca-Cola |
| 1996–00 | Adidas | Coca-Cola/Sol |
| 2000–01 | Nike | Coca-Cola/Sol |
| 2001–05 | Nike | Coca-Cola/Corona |
| 2005–06 | Nike | Bimbo/Coca-Cola/Corona |
| 2006–10 | Nike | Bimbo/Coca-Cola/Corona |
| 2010–11 | Nike | Bimbo/Powerade/Corona |
| 2011–15 | Nike | Bimbo/Coca-Cola/Corona |
In 2013, French multinational oil and gas company Total was announced as a new sponsor, with the company logo being placed on the sleeve of the club's kit for the 2013–2014 season.[63]
Sources:[66]
For recent transfers, see List of Mexican football transfers summer 2013 .
As of 6 January 2013.[67]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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The following players have been inducted into the Club América Hall of Fame, as indicated by the club's official website.[68]
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
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