Full name | América Futebol Clube |
---|---|
Nickname(s) |
Mecão (Big America) Dragão (Dragon) |
Founded | July 14, 1915 |
Stadium | Arena das Dunas (América Arena starting in December 2016) |
Capacity | 31,375 (25,000 for América Arena) |
President | Beto Santos |
Head coach | Felipe Surian |
League |
Campeonato Brasileiro Série D Campeonato Potiguar |
2016 2016 |
Série C, 17th (Relegated) Potiguar, Runners-up |
Website | Club home page |
América Futebol Clube, or América (or América de Natal), as they are usually called, is a traditional Brazilian football team from Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, founded on July 14, 1915.
América is the only Potiguar club that have won an interstate tournament. The team won Campeonato do Nordeste (Brazilian Northeast Championship) in 1998, defeating Esporte Clube Vitória by a 3-1 score in the final match. It is the only Football Team in Rio Grande do Norte to obtain titles outside the state as in 1973, became the undefeated winner of Taça Almir de Albuquerque, which involved teams from North-Northeast of Brazil and is the only club from Rio Grande do Norte to participate in an international championship, the Copa Conmebol in 1998.
América's greatest rival is ABC, also from Natal.
The team was founded on July 14, 1915. The first official match played in the state of Rio Grande do Norte was América 3-0 ABC, on June 22, 1919 valid for the first Campeonato Potiguar de Futebol, organized at that time by the Liga de Desportos Terrestres. The club's first title came in 1919. The club won the Liga de Desportos Terrestres, defeating Centro Esportivo Natalense and ABC, becoming the first Campeonato Potiguar champions.
On November 7, 1928, through Law 707 the club was the first to be recognized as a State Public Utility instrument.
América had been licensed team of the Federação Norteriograndense de Futebol (FNF) for 5 years, between 1960 and 1965, thus the team did not participate in official competitions. Instead, the team committed to the construction of its official ground at Rodrigues Alves Avenue, bourough of Tirol, Natal.
In 1974 América was crowned undefeated state champions, playing 20 matches with 12 wins and 8 ties. In 1975, América won the Torneio Norte-Nordeste. Between 1987 and 1992, América won 5 state championships, only losing in 1990.