América SP

Official Website: america-sp.com.br

Description:
From the interior of Brazil's São Paulo state, from the city of São José do Rio Preto, we bring you América Futebol Clube - SP, also known as just América - SP. América hold the proud distinction of being the interior club with the most appearances in the São Paulo state championship. This may not sound initially impressive but when you consider the near complete dominance of São Paulo's big four (Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Santos) and São Paulo city in general, to be "best of the rest" is certainly an achievement. In addition they've competed 14 times in Brazilian national championships, including twice in the Série A - 1978 and 1980 and most recently in the third-tier Série C in 2006. Brazilian football is an unusual mix of state and national championships and qualification for the lowest national tier - Série C - requires a strong performance in the state championship. So for now the focus is on promotion back to the Campeonato Paulista A-1, where they were relegated from in 2007. In addition to the Campeonato Paulista, which takes place in the first half of the year, América are competing in the Copa Paulista, generally speaking a tournament for clubs who don't qualify for the national championships.

In addition to being three times champions of the São Paulo second division, América have won many titles at the youth level (including São Paulo champions in 2006) and twice completed seasons unbeaten, most recently in 1999.

América were founded on January 28, 1946 by a group of football fans led by Antônio Tavares Pereira Lima in particular. They aimed to compete with the city big boys of the day Bancários, though ironically Bancários disappeared and the two clubs never met. The name América was chosen after the Rio club of the same name, and their emblem and colors are patterned off those of the Rio club. Most of the club's history was spent at the Estádio Mário Alves Mendonça but in 1996 América moved to the Estádio Benedito Teixeira - the Teixeirão. It is the largest in the interior of São Paulo and one of the most modern in Brazil.

The stadium is named for a long-time club president who was instrumental in seeing the stadium built. Teixeirão means "the big Teixeira". The nickname Rubro is a way of saying The Reds in Portuguese while Mecão is a nickname used by all of Brazil's clubs with the América name. It translates as Big América.

Trophy Room:
* Campeonato Paulista A-2 (1957, 63, 99)

Estádio Benedito Teixeira - Teixeirão

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(Photos: america-sp.com.br)