Full name | Associação Portuguesa de Desportos |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Lusa |
Founded | August 14, 1920 |
Stadium | Canindé, São Paulo, Brazil |
Capacity | 21,004 |
President | Alexandre Barros |
Head coach | Tuca Guimarães |
League |
Campeonato Brasileiro Série D Campeonato Paulista Série A2 |
2016 2016 |
Série C, 9th - Group B (relegated) Paulista A2, 13th |
Website | Club home page |
Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, usually called Portuguesa or Lusa, is a sports club, and a Brazilian football team from São Paulo in São Paulo state, founded on August 14, 1920 by the Portuguese population of the city. Portuguesa is the fifth most popular team in the city of São Paulo (behind Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo and Santos) and the fourth located within the city proper.
On August 14, 1920 (the same day of the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota), the five Paulista clubs representing the Portuguese community of São Paulo (Lusíadas Futebol Club, Portugal Marinhense, Associação Cinco de Outubro, Associação Atlética Marquês de Pombal and Esporte Club Lusitano) met at Salão da Câmara Portuguesa de Comércio to merge, and founded Associação Portuguesa de Esportes. They chose the colors of Portugal: green and red. The club merged with Mackenzie College in 1920, and was then renamed Mackenzie-Portuguesa.
In 1940, the club changed its name to Associação Portuguesa de Desportos, its current name. In 1956, Portuguesa bought from São Paulo a big piece of land located in the limits between the northeast and center of the city. In the land, the Canindé stadium was built, as well as the official headquarters, offices and social club.
In the 2011 season Portuguesa participated on the São Paulo State Championship Série A1 (first division) when they were eliminated in the Quarterfinals by São Paulo, in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B (second division) and in the Copa do Brasil (Brazilian Cup), when they were eliminated in the First Round by Bangu.
After a comeback victory against Americana, on October 22, 2011, the club achieved promotion to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2012. On November 8, 2011, after a 2–2 draw against Sport Recife, the club won the 2011 Série B, the first national title won by the club. The title crowned a strong campaign by the Lusa side, with 23 Wins, 12 Draws and only 3 losses. The offensive and fast-paced style of play implemented by the team's coach, Jorginho, and the great amount of 82 goals scored led to the nickname of "Barcelusa", referring to FC Barcelona's style of playing. Lusa ended the 2011 Season with a 2–0 win over Icasa, finishing 21 straight games undefeated.