Atlético Español F.C.

Atlético Español was a football team which played between 1971 and 1982 in the Primera División de México. They played out of México City.

Atlético Español

Full name	Atlético Español Fútbol Club
Nickname(s)	Toros
Founded	September 19, 1971
Dissolved	July 21, 1982
Ground	Estadio Azteca Ciudad de México, México
Capacity	114,600
Chairman	Duarte Mendietta Xequiz (1971–1982)
League	La Primera División (1971–1982) / Currently Defunct
Home colours Away colours

History

Atlético Español Fútbol Club On September 19, 1971, when a group of Spanish entrepreneurs / business people decided to buy the franchise of what was then known as Necaxa and change their name to Atlético Español. The reason for the name change was due to their nationality and ideology in the world of business. The branded club were modeled on the defunct team Real Club España, with a similar name and kit to the predecessor. The team would immediately obtain the nickname Toros because in their badge was a bull next a football and the initials AE.^[1]

Español characterized itself to be a team which was a fighter, but their start was not the ideal one since in the 1971–72 season they were a point away from descending to the 2nd division. Other teams fighting to avoid relegation that season were Club de Fútbol Torreón, Irapuato FC and Club Veracruz, in the end Irapuato FC would be the team to be relegated. For the 1972–73 season Atlético Español would reach the semifinals against Club León losing 5–4 in the third leg going all the way to penalties..

In 1973–74 they would reach the final against a strong Cruz Azul. They would play a two legged tie in which Atlético Español would win the first leg 2–1 but lose the second 3–0, becoming the runner-up of the league.

In 1975 Atlético Español would win their first and only international title in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1975, they played the final against Transvaal of Suriname defeating them 5–1 in aggregate.

In 1976 they disputed the Copa Interamericana against Club Atlético Independiente of Argentina. Both games were played in Buenos Aires and after an aggregate score of 2–2 penalties needed to take place, Español losing the shootout to Independiente 4–2.

Season 1980–81 Español would once again get into the liguilla getting 4th in group A led by Cruz Azul, who would lose the final against Pumas de la UNAM. For the season of 1981–82 they would dispute their ultimate ligulla getting to the quarterfinals versus Club de Fútbol Atlante, round they would lose 5–3 in aggregate.

After 11 years as Atlético Español, the club owners unexpectedly sold the franchise, which was acquired by the Mexican television network Televisa. On July 21, 1982, the name and colours reverted to that of Necaxa, hoping to revive the tradition the team had left in Mexico City.

Statistics

These are the statistics of Atlético Español in the Primera División de México:

GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts	DIF
429	148	134	147	588	586	430	2

In Copa México:

Old Badge

GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts	DIF
30	15	4	11	62	50	34	12

• GP – Games Played
• W – Win
• D – Draw
• L- Loss
• GF – Goals in Favour
• GC – Goles en Contra GA – Goals Against
• Pts – Points
• DIF – Goal Difference

Honours

Domestic

• Primera División
  • Runners-up (1): 1973–74

Continental

• CONCACAF Champions' Cup
  • Winners (1): 1975
• Copa Interamericana
  • Runners-up (1):1976

International record

Season	Competition	Round	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
1975	CONCACAF Champions' Cup	Second round	Monterrey	1–1	1–0	2–1
		Semi-finals	Saprissa	2–1	2–1	4–2
		Final	Transvaal	2–1	3–0	5–1
1976	Copa Interamericana	Final	Independiente	0–0	2–2	2–2 (2–4 p)

References

1. Fong, Eric (25 April 2020). "Atlético Español, el 'disfraz' del Necaxa que le dio un título de Concacaf". Mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 July 2020.