Full name | Club de Fútbol America S.A. de C.V. |
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Nickname(s) | Águilas,Azulcremas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Founded | October 12, 1916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ground | Estadio Azteca (Capacity: 120,000) |
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President | ![]() |
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Manager | ![]() |
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League | La Primera División | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clausura 2008 | 18th | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club América, most commonly known as just Águilas del América, is a Mexican football club playing in the Primera División. América is owned by Emilio Azcárraga, who owns Televisa, making it the richest club in Mexico. América and Chivas share the distinction of being the two most successful teams in league play - América with 10 professional championships, and Chivas with 11. America and Chivas have a long-standing rivalry. Their meetings, which have become known as Clásicos, are played at least twice a year and signal a national derby. They are the only two clubs to have been in the First Division from the very beginning, and never having been relegated to the league's Second Division. Their club colors have been yellow and blue since the team was founded. The team mascot is the eagle, one of which, named "Celeste", is flown around the stadium before every match.
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Players from and Record met on 12 October, 1916 . Many names were considered but proposed América since they had formed a team on Columbus Day (Dia de las Américas), the day in which the Americas were discovered. The players soon designed a crest which had the map of the Americas encircled and placed a 'C' and an 'A' on both sides of the Americas. After they had created their logo, the players had to decide on their team colors. Rafael got 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 colours. Since then, they have shared the spot of being the first most popular team in Mexico with Chivas de Guadalajara, their fiercest and most hated rival.
In 1916, Club América had to prove themselves in order to be accepted into the Mexican League (Liga Mexicana de Aficionados de Futbol Asociacion)1. Necaxa, Atlante, Real España, Germania, and Asturias were already members of the league when América wished to join the amateur league. América's acceptance into the league depended on 3 games. If they lost a single one, they would not be accepted into the league. América’s first game was against Germania. They won the game and was then scheduled to play against España, which resulted in a draw. América was accepted as a result and formed part of the league. Their first season did not go so well. At the time, América was the only team in Mexico City with an all-Mexican club.
In 1918, the team changed its name to Union. The name didn’t stand too well and changed back to América in 19202. From 1924 to 1928, América were crowned league champions and were able to attract impressive crowds. In 1926, América became the first Mexican club to play outside of Mexico2. 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 players that participated in the 1928 Olympics and 1930 World Cup were players that played for América.
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 was 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.
In 1956, the club was sold to a soft drink manufacturer. The new owner was trying to build upon the club's National Cup titles in 1954 and 1955 against Guadalajara, their soon to be nemesis. To the dismay of many, the owner failed to build upon the success and on July 22 1959, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, owner of Telesistema Mexicano (Televisa), bought América from Isaac Bessudo3.
It is said in Mexico that the club was founded in 1916, but reborn in 1959, with the vision and values that were set forth by the son of Televisa's founder, Emilio Azcárraga Milmo. The vision he embarked upon was to convert football into a form of entertainment for the masses. 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, It will be a business7".
It was obvious to Emilio Azcárraga that football in Mexico needed an antagonist. Emilio Azcárraga knew that his club could not compete with the top team (in this case, Chivas). The new owner sought out to be the villain. Soon after, the club started to spend obscene amounts of money in acquiring foreign talents, which offended fans. Emilio Azcárraga hired the Mexican Leagues most successful football executive of that time, Guillermo Cañedo as President and Ignacio Trelles as head coach. It was then when Emilio Azcárraga revolutionized the game in Mexico. He laid down a foundation for the club’s future by investing in scouting, player development, infrastructure, and merchandising7. He marketed his team both at national and international level which allowed the club to enjoy financial growth. Under Azcárraga, the team has won 10 League championships, the first being the 1965-1966 season.
In the 1970s, when Mexico's league championship format was changed to a play-off following the regular season (the previous format was akin to most European leagues, where the team with the most points after the end of the regular season is crowned the champion), América achieved more success - winning in the 1970-71 season (América 2 - 0 Toluca), and in the 1975-76 season, defeating Universidad de Guadalajara by a score of 4-0. The success in the 70's was due in large part to players like Enrique Borja, later an executive for the team, and Carlos Reinoso the gifted Chilean playmaker who is arguably the greatest player to wear an América uniform.
During the 80's America was an unforgettable team. They were always considered a favorite to win the championship in any tournament they participated in. They 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 '90s would be a decade to forget for fans of the yellow clad warriors, with nothing to show for except a CONCACAF Cup in 1990, an Interamericana Cup championship in 1993, and a CONCACAF Cup Championship in 1992. Years came and went with Televisa spending exorbitant amounts of money on both Mexican and South American (and even a few European and African imports) destined to return the club to its former glory which came to pass as nothing more than currency far from well spent. Internationally renowned coaches and executives were also brought to the team, producing no results that added to the team's woes. The only bright spots of the decade were the appearance of new young stars that developed in the club's youth squad, players like Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Germán Villa that would be instrumental to the team's success later on.
The new millennium brought renewed hope for Club América's fans, who would be rewarded quickly, with 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.
In 2006, América qualified to the FIFA Club World Cup, in this tournament, América just won its 1st match against the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea). América went on to lose the next match against FC Barcelona (Spain), América 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.
During 2008 the Clausura 2008 saw América end last of the general chart, this situation had not been seen since the mid 1950s. In the first 5 months of 2008, América was showered with 12 defeats, 2 draws (against CF Puebla and Cruz Azul) and 3 victories (over Pumas UNAM, Tecos UAG, and Monterrey).
América plays their home games at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stadium was designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, and was inaugurated on May 29, 1966, with a match between América and Torino, which was tied 2-2. The Azteca is also the only stadium in history to host two World Cup finals. The First Goal in the stadium was scored for Arlindo Dos Santos. The opening game was between Club América and Torino F.C. on May 26, 1966, with seats for 120,000 spectators. The first goal was scored was by Brazilian Arlindo Dos Santos Cruz and the second one by Brazilian José Alves "Zague", later the Italians tied the game and ended 2-2. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz President of Mexico made the initial kick and Sir Stanley Rous FIFA President was the witness.
A modern illumination system was inaugurated on June 5, 1966 with the first night game between Valencia C.F. and Necaxa. The first goal of the game was scored by Honduran José Cardona. In this game Roberto Martínez o Caña Brava scored the first goal made by a Mexican. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Valencia C.F..
There is a Commemorative plaque with the names of the first goal scorer in the first daylight match and in the first night game.
Aztec Stadium is also the site in which Pelé, and Diego Maradona (during the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup), considered by many as the best football players of all time, lifted the trophy for the last time (The Jules Rimet Trophy and the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, respectively).
The stadium has also hosted international club tournaments such at the Copa InterAmericana and the Copa Libertadores de América.
Aztec Stadium has also been used for musical performances throughout its history. Michael Jackson (in 1993)[1], U2 (in 2006), , Elton John, Maná, Juan Gabriel,Luis Miguel, Gloria Estefan, Jaguares, Lenny Kravitz, Ana Gabriel, The Three Tenors all have become part of the stadium's main spectacle. The stadium has also been used for political events, including Mexican president Felipe Calderón's campaign closure in 2006, as well as religious events, like the appearance of Pope John Paul II in 1999. [2]
According to the results of a January 2008 poll, the team is the second most popular football club in Mexico, just behind Chivas[3], and the most hated[4][5].
América have substantial Ultras fan support in the form of barras, the most popular of which is called La Monumental. This barra is unique in that it was not established or even organized by the fans, but rather was created by Javier Pérez Teuffer, the club's president at the time. He wanted a more family-oriented barra, but his creation soon went awry. The violence came to a head on May 11, 2004, when América were eliminated from the 2004 Copa Libertadores by Brazilian side São Caetano. During the game, Cuauhtémoc Blanco elbowed an opposing player and was sent off. As São Caetano players celebrated the victory after the game ended, Blanco came back from the locker room and started a fight. Soon after, members of La Monumental invaded the pitch and began to attack São Caetano's goalkeeper and several members of security. They also damaged parts of the Azteca. Though the São Caetano players got away safely, both Blanco and La Monumental were condemned for the incident. However, the "Ritual del Kaoz" have taken over and separated from the Ultra section or "El Gallinero" (how it is called in the cheap section). They have taken over in a way that now they have no affiliation with the stadium workers. They are completely independent and are now seen by people as the most feared firm by the PFP (Federal Preventive Police) of Mexico. They are mostly formed up by the people that were banned from "El Gallinero" because of the São Caetano incident where everyone that went on the field was banned for life.
Apart from this, various América barras, including La Monumental, Ritual Del Kaoz and El Disturbio engage in acts of tifo, such as the popular Avalancha (avalanche). For this, supporters rush either up or down the stands whenever América score a goal. This act is designed - like its name implies - to imitate an avalanche. Supporters also perform elaborate porras, or chants, the most famous of which is Vamos América. In December 2005 in the northern city of Monterrey, during quarter-final match of the Apertura 2005 against Tigres UANL, Tigres barra members of Lokos y Libres initiated a fight against La Monumental members after the match was played and won by América with a score of 3-2. Monterrey Police arrested 200 Lokos y Libres barra/gang members and 75 La Monumental barra/gang members. Though not necessary, the barras will frequently employ the use of drums or various other musical and percussion instruments to add rhythm to a chant.
América has a long standing rivalry with Cruz Azul called El Clásico Joven (The Young Classic). It is considered one of Mexico's classic derbies because of the size of the two clubs and their popularity around Mexico City and the rest of the country. América and Cruz Azul rank second and third all-time in Mexican championships and are tied for the most CONCACAF Champions' Cups.
America and Pumas UNAM is another rivalry because of their always close match results and because of their cross-town rivalry.
The rivalry between América and Chivas is considered the most important rivalry in Mexico. The derby transcends far beyond just the two corresponding cities, Mexico City and Guadalajara but around the country and some parts of the United States. América and Chivas have long been the two most successful teams in Mexico and currently stand one and two on the all-time first division table.
Socio Águila is America's youth/reserve squad. America also has a fuerzas basica school. There have been many players who came out of fuerzas basicas such as Memo Ochoa, Alfredo Tena, Cristobal Ortega, Cuatemoc Blanco and others.
Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
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1998 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 0 | Round of 16 |
2000 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 28 | 18 | 25 | 10 | Semifinals |
2002 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 8 | 29 | 11 | Semifinals |
2004 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 14 | 5 | Round of 16 |
2007 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 16 | 19 | 7 | Quarterfinals |
2008 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 2 | Semifinals |
Total | 64 | 34 | 11 | 19 | 108 | 73 | 112 | 35 |
Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
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2005 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 4 | -1 | Quarterfinals |
2007 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 5 | Finalist |
Total | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 4 |
Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
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2006 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -4 | 4th Place |
Total | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -4 |
Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | ![]() |
Physical Trainer | ![]() |
Academy Director | ![]() |
Head Coach Reserve Team | ![]() |
President | ![]() |
Vice-President | ![]() |
Sport Director | ![]() |
Secretary | ![]() |
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(*)Also holds Mexican citizenship [6]
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Mexico:
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Argentina:
Brazil:
Chile:
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Colombia:
Guatemala
Costa Rica:
Paraguay
Uruguay:
Cameroon:
Peru
Zambia:
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Name | From | To |
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1916 | 1920 |
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1920 | 1930 |
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1930 | 1932 |
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1933 | 1933 |
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1933 | 1934 |
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1934 | 1937 |
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1937 | 1938 |
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1938 | 1939 |
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1939 | 1940 |
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1940 | 1940 |
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1940 | 1945 |
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1945 | 1948 |
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1948 | 1949 |
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1950 | 1954 |
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1954 | 1956 |
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1956 | 1959 |
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1959 | 1961 |
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1961 | 1981 |
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1981 | 1996 |
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1996 | 1997 |
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1997 | 1998 |
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1998 | 1999 |
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1999 | 2004 |
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2004 | 2008 |
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2008- |
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League Levels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Miscellaneous | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
List of champions | El Clásico | Clásico Regiomontano | InterLiga | SuperLiga | Campeón de Campeones | Champions League |
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Primera División short tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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