Club América
| Full name | Club America S.A. de C.V. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Eagles | ||
| Founded | October 12, 1916 | ||
| Ground | Azteca, Mexico DF | ||
| Capacity | 114,465 | ||
| Owner |  Emilio Azcárraga | ||
| Chairman | Guillermo Cañedo White | ||
| Manager | Vacant | ||
| League | Primera División | ||
| Clausura 2008 | 18th (league) | ||
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Club América, most commonly known as just América, is a professional Mexican football club playing in the Primera División. The team is one of the two most popular football clubs in Mexico, the other being Chivas. América is owned by Televisa (which also owns Necaxa, San Luis, and Socio Aguila). América and Chivas share the distinction of being the most successful teams in league play - America with 10 professional championships, and Chivas with 11. The two also 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. America has won most of the clasicos. 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 important matches.
History
Foundation
In 1916, two cousins and students from San Juan , Juan Ruiz and Cristian Romo, decided to form a team, which was to be called 'La Chona' Their team joined with another from San Juan College. [1]
Players from and Record met on 12 October, 1916 . Many names were considered but it was Adrian 'Memo' Topete who had proposed America since they had formed a team on Columbus Day (Dia de las Americas), a 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.
Amateur Era
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.
Professional Era
1940's Mexican League Beginnings
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 America 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.
1950s-60's First League Title
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 Azcarraga Milmo, owner of Telesistema Mexicano (Televisa), bought America 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 Azcarraga Milmo. The vision he embarked upon was to convert football into a form of entertainment for the masses. Following the acquisition, Azcarraga 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 Azcarraga that football in Mexico needed an antagonist. Emilio Azcarraga 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 Azcarraga 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 Azcarraga 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 Azcarraga, the team has won 10 League championships, the first being the 1965-1966 season.
1970s Signs of Greatness
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), America achieved more success - winning in the 1970-71 season (America 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.
1980s The Golden Age
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.
1990s A Decade to Forget
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.
2000s Return to the Top
The new millennium brought renewed hope for Club America'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. The team, now being run by Azcarraga's son, Emilio Azcárraga Jean continues the legacy begun by his father and the foundation he laid which eventually rewarded the club with - aside from the aforementioned 10 League titles- , 3 Cup titles, 3 Super Cup titles, 5 CONCACAF Champions Cup titles, and 2 Interamerican Cup titles.
In 2006, America qualified to the FIFA Club World Cup, in this tournament, America just won its 1st match against the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea). America went on to lose the next match against FC Barcelona (Spain), America 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.
2007 - America had a good start in the Clausura 2007. They made the playoffs of the Clausura and were in Copa Libertadores 2007 finals as well. Their then manager Luis Fernando Tena made very controversial by leaving the starters in Mexico to play the Clausura, and he started their substitutes and youth players in the Libertadores Away game in Brazil against Santos. They lost the away game (2)2-1(1). Another upsetting moment came when America lost the final of the Clausura to Pachuca It was also very close. They tied in Pachuca's home (1-1) and lost in their home (2-1). This also saw a sad moment of Las Aguilas, this being Cuauhtémoc Blanco, an America icon's final game for America. He had signed a contract with the Chicago Fire of MLS to migrate there at the end of the Clausura. Aftere scarce results and questionable decisions, Luis Fernando Tena was fired halfway into the Apertura 2007 and was replaced by one of America's legendary players of the 80's, Daniel Brailovsky. In December of 2007, America had a season to forget. Las Águilas lost to Monarcas de Morelia in two very difficult games of the repechaje (re-qualifiers) of the Apertura 2007. They also had an opportunity to be champions of the Copa Sudamericana 2007, but lost to Arsenal de Sarandi after many controversial decisions made my many people on and off the field. Those people included the Board of the CONMEBOL
The Clausura 2008 has seen America finish at the very bottom of the league table for the first time in team history.
Stadium
América plays their home games at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stadium briefly used by Atlante, Cruz Azul and Necaxa before they moved to the Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo in 2007, Estadio Azul in 1996 and Estadio Victoria in 2003 respectively. 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 Estadio Azteca has a seating capacity of 114,465 making it the fourth largest stadium in the world.
Supporters
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. La Monumental is notorious for being one of the most rabid and violent barras in Mexico, attacking rival barras like UNAM's La Rebel at first glance. 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 La 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. 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.
Chant
América, ¡a ganar! Estoy contigo, oye mi corazón. América, ¡Águilas! América, ¡a ganar! No te detengas, tú serás el campeón. Águilas vamos, sigan adelante, al ataque final. Con mucha garra y con entrega nadie nos detendrá. Hoy es día grande, en la cancha once estrellas verás. Son once águilas valientes de amarillo y azul. América, ¡Águilas! América, ¡a ganar! Estoy contigo, oye mi corazón. América, ¡Águilas! América, ¡a ganar! No te detengas, tú serás el campeón
America had a bad outcome in the 1st division of Mexico but had a great run in the copa libertadores
Rivalries
El Clásico Joven
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.
El Super Clásico Mexicano
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, Chivas has recently taken the lead by winning their eleventh star.
Youth Squad
Socio Águila is America's youth/reserve squad.
Club records
- First Mexican team to get to the second round of the Copa Libertadores de America in 1998.
- First Mexican team to get a point in the Copa Libertadores de America outside México against Vasco da Gama, the result was 1-1.
- Has participated in most international competitions out of all Mexican teams, with 20.
- These are the number of times participated in international competitions:
- 8 Cups of Champions and Runners-up of CONCACAF (1977, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2003, 2006)
- 1 Giant's Cup of CONCACAF (2001)
- 2 Inter-American Cups (1978, 1991)
- 2 Sudamericana Cups (2005, 2007)
- 6 Libertadores Cups (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008)
- 1 Club World Cup (2006)
- Along with the Guadalajara, is the only club to have played all the matches in the first Mexican division.
- Historical Record of most games without losing in Mexican Football, 28. (Closing 2005 - Opening 2005). The former record was 24 games without losing in 1971-1972.
- Mexican team with most points in one short season, 43 (Apertura 2002).
- First Mexican team complete 1000 victories in the Opening of the 2002 playing against Pumas of the UNAM Giving an olympic round in stage CU.
- First team of CONCACAF to win the Inter-American Cup in 1978.
- Winner of most international matches in Mexico and CONCACAF.
- Only team of CONCACAF that has won the Inter-American Cup 2 times, in 1978 and 1991.
- Winner of the most Champions Cup of CONCACAF, along with Cruz Azul Club, both with 5 titles each.
- Only team of CONCACAF that has won arguably the most important international matches in the region:
- Champions Cup of the CONCACAF
- Inter-American Cup
- Giant's Cup of the CONCACAF.
- Has participated in more Copa Libertadores than any other Mexican team.
- IFFHS RECORDS: (http://www.iffhs.de/)
- First Mexican team in the top 10 of the Club World Ranking of the IFFHS (December 2007).
- Currently (December 2007) is the best Mexican team in the All-Time Club World Ranking of the IFFHS in the place 72 with 81 points.
- First non-European and South American team in being World-wide Club of the month to win the award 2 times: August 2001 and May of 2002.
Shirt Sponsorship
Shirt Manufacturer
Official Beer
Sponsors
Honours
National
- Mexican Championship: 10
- 1965-1966, 1970-1971, 1975-1976,1983-1984, 1984-1985, Prode 85 1987-1988, 1988-1989, Verano 2002, Clausura 2005
- Campeón de Copa (Mexican Cup): 5
- 1953-1954, 1954-1955, 1963-1964, 1964-1965, 1973-1974
- Campeón de Campeones (Mexican Super Cup): 5
- 1954-1955, 1975-1976, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 2004-2005
International
- Copa Sudamericana:
- Runners-up 2007
Amateur
- Campeón de Liga (League Championship): 4
- 1924-1925, 1925-1926, 1926-1927, 1927-1928
- Campeón de Copa (Mexican Cup): 1
- 1937-1938
Friendly
- Copa Independencia: 1966-67, 1974-75
- Junta Española Covadonga: 1927
- Copa Vizcaya: 1920
- Copa Baltamar: 1922
- Liga Excélsior: 1920
- Copa Presidente Gustavo Díaz Ordaz: 1964-65
- Copa Revolución Mexicana: 1980-81
- Copa Pachuca: 1997
- Copa Houston: 2003
- Copa San José: 2006
International Competitions
América at the Copa Libertadores
| Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
América at the Copa Sudamericana
| Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
América at the FIFA Club World Cup
| Year | PG | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS | GD | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -4 | 4th Place |
| Total | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -4 |
Current Roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired Numbers
- 10 Cuauhtémoc Blanco, attacking midfielder, retired for 5 years (also can be explained as 10 short tournaments). (dedicated honor)
Confirmed transfers
In:
Éder dos Santos promoted from Socio Águila- Santiago Fernández returns from Club Toluca
Lucas Castroman returns from 
Boca Juniors
Darío Verón transferred from Pumas
Hugo Droguett transferred from UAG Tecos
Out:
- Federico Higuaín returns to
Beşiktaş J.K.
Players on Transfer List
Notable Players
Top Goalscorers in a season
Top Goalscorers
Selected Former Champion Managers
Selected Former Managers
Presidents
ReferencesSources/External Links
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