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History
This section is about the Colombian football club. For the women's football club, see América de Cali (women). For other uses, see América Football
Kit
Club.
Crest
América de Cali S. A., best known as América de Cali or América, is a Colombian professional
América de Cali
Mascot football club based in Cali. It competes in the Categoría Primera A, the top-flight league of Colombian
Stadium football. The team plays its home games at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, one of the most
important stadiums in the country.
Rivalries
The club is one of the oldest in Colombia; its foundation dates from 1927 and has its origins in the
Honours
América Football Club, which was founded in 1918. It is also one of the most successful Colombian
Players clubs, both nationally and internationally, being considered one of the strongest and most consistent
Presidents clubs in the country. América has won 15 league titles and a second division tournament title, in

Records addition to reaching the final of four Copa Libertadores (including three in a row from 1985 to 1987).
Although it has never won the Copa Libertadores, it has won two international tournaments, the Copa
Coaching history Full name América de Cali S. A.[1]
Simón Bolívar in 1975[3] and the Copa Merconorte in 1999.[4]
References Nickname(s) Los Diablos Rojos (The Red Devils)
In 2011, América was relegated to Categoría Primera B, second division of Colombian football, for Los Escarlatas (The Scarlets)
External links the first time in its history. They played there for five seasons, returning to the top flight after winning La Mechita (The Fuse/The Rag)
the Primera B championship in 2016. La Pasión de un Pueblo (The People's
Passion)
América has a series of fierce rivalries, most notably with crosstown rivals Deportivo Cali. Matches
Founded 13 February 1927; 96 years ago
between them are known as the "Clásico Vallecaucano". Other major rival clubs include Atlético
(officially)
Nacional, Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe.
Ground Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero
In 1996, América was ranked by IFFHS as the second-best football club in the world, only surpassed Cali, Colombia

by Juventus of Italy.[5] It ranks 32nd in the world ranking of the best clubs of all time according to the Capacity 38,000[2]

IFFHS, being the best-placed Colombian team in the list. It is also ranked as the best Colombian club Chairman Mauricio Romero

of the 20th century[6] and as the fifth best Colombian club so far in the 21st century.[7] América is also Manager Lucas González

credited as the second-best Colombian team in CONMEBOL club tournaments and ranks 36th in the League Categoría Primera A
official CONMEBOL club ranking as of 2023.[8][9] 2022 Primera A, 12th of 20
Website Club website

History [ edit ]

Beginning [ edit ]

The origins of América de Cali date to 1918, when students from the Colegio Santa Librada formed a
team called América FC, to compete with other schools.[10] That club claimed one of the first
championships in the history of Colombian football by winning the Copa Centenario Batalla de
Boyacá in 1919. The team broke up not long afterwards. Home colours Away colours Third colours

Over the ensuing years, various clubs in Cali appeared with various names. The most notable was
Racing Club, named for the Argentine team of the same name. That club wore light blue jerseys with white vertical stripes, identical to the Argentine club.
However, when the club disintegrated in 1925, the uniforms went with them.[11][12]

On 13 February 1927, a new club was officially formed, with Hernán Zamorano Isaacs as the first president of the club.[11] They took América as their
name and scarlet and white as their colors. There are various stories to explain the reason why, but both this name and those colors stuck, and América
has been identified with scarlet ever since.

Early years [ edit ]

América won the 1930 Amateur Tournament, and arranged a playoff with local rivals Cali FC to
determine who would enter Colombia's top league (then known as the Liga de Fútbol). Cali won 1–0
in controversial style, as two América goals were disallowed. This was part of the beginning of the
birth of the fierce rivalry between América and what would become Deportivo Cali.[citation needed]

Unable to compete in the national tournament, América did set out on a long national tour in 1931,
playing matches all over the country and establishing a national reputation. They spent the next
decade and a half as one of Colombia's strongest national teams. One of their stars was Benjamin
Urrea, also known as Garabato (the scribble, or the doodle) for his small size and speed.[citation needed]

Professional Era and the Curse [ edit ]

In 1948, the Colombian league was moving towards professionalism. Garabato, whose career was Some of America's cups

drawing to an end, was an opponent of such a move. When América elected to join the league
anyway, legend has it that Garabato cursed the club, declaring that they would never be champions.[citation needed] As it would happen, América struggled
badly in the Colombian tournament, although there were more practical reasons for this than Garabato's curse.

Financially, the club lagged behind their league rivals. This especially showed during the El Dorado period (1949–54), when Colombian clubs aggressively
signed foreign players from all over South America. Unable to do the same, América fell towards the bottom of the table. During the 1950s, the club
finished no higher than sixth and even sat out of the 1953 tournament due to financial reasons. They almost fail to survive the decade, and only made it
because another Cali club, Boca Juniors de Cali, folded instead. In 1960, desperate to make some sort of a splash, the club signed Adolfo Pedernera as
manager Pedernera managed the club to a runner-up finish in 1961, the highest place in the history of Los Diablos Rojos.

This season completely changed the dynamic of América. Although they did not contend for another championship for another six years, they were no
longer in danger of folding. Towards the end of the decade, they began taking their place as one of the strongest sides in Colombia. In 1967, they enjoyed
a twenty-two match unbeaten streak and finished third. In the 1968 Finalización tournament, the club finished second, and did so again in the 1969
Apertura tournament. That last season not only saw Hugo Lóndero set a Colombian record by scoring 24 goals but also qualified América for the Copa
Libertadores for the first time (they were eliminated at the first group stage).

For most of the 1970s, the club remained a solidly mid-table side, with two runner-up finishes serving as the exception. The highlight came in 1976, when
América won the Copa Simón Bolívar (an international tournament that included clubs from Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay). However,
they still had no Colombian championships. América got off to a slow start in the Colombian tournament, not achieving even the runner-up position until
1960 and not playing its first Copa Libertadores until 1969.

1979–1986: Aquel 19 and five consecutive titles [ edit ]

In 1979, two historic changes took place at América. First, the club reconciled with Garabato. He agreed to come to the stadium, where he attended a
mass with the club's directors and signed a document "officially" lifting the curse. More practically, they hired Gabriel Ochoa Uribe to manage the club.
Ochoa Uribe was one of the most recognizable names in Colombian management; he had won six championships at Millonarios, as well as another at
Santa Fe. Over the course of his long stint at América (1979–91), he would transform the club into one of the dominant powers in Colombian football.

Inclined towards defensive football, Ochoa built his club around a solid back line, featuring captain Aurelio Pascuttini and Luis Eduardo Reyes. Juan
Manuel Battaglia and Gerardo Gonzalez Aquino played in the midfield, while Jorge Ramón Cáceres and Alfonso Cañón led the attack up front. In the 1979
Apertura, América found itself in a neck and neck race with crosstown rivals Deportivo Cali. At the end of the season, the two clubs each had 34 points. A
two-legged playoff followed, but both matches ended scoreless. The Apertura title was thus determined by goal average, being won by Deportivo Cali.

The year's second tournament, the Finalización, saw América top both the first and second phases, earning a place in the final round, a four-team round
robin. The round robin came down to its final match; América needed to beat Unión Magdalena to wrap up the national championship. In front of an
overflow crowd, Los Escarlatas prevailed 2–0, winning their first ever title on 19 December 1979, in what would become known as "Aquel 19" (That
19th).[13][14]

1980 and 1981 were years of consolidation as the club finished third in consecutive years (while reaching the semi-finals of the 1980 Copa Libertadores).
During that stretch, Ochoa was refreshing the team with new arrivals, like Argentine keeper Julio César Falcioni and strikers Roque Alfaro, Humberto
Sierra and Antony de Ávila. Falcioni in particular would become an anchor of América for years to come, lasting with the team until 1991. De Ávila,
meanwhile, would play with the club until 1987 and score a club record 201 goals.

1982 saw all these acquisitions come together perfectly. Sierra led the league in scoring with 23 goals, while Alfaro added another 16. América won every
Colombian competition that year—the Apertura, their Finalización group, and the octagonal playoff of the year's top eight teams to determine the national
champion. They clinched the title on the season's final match by beating Millonarios in Bogotá.[15]

América had won two championships with an impenetrable defense, but in the ensuing offseason, Ochoa completed an acquisition that would drastically
change his side's character and strategy. Midfielder Willington Ortiz was one of the biggest stars in Colombian football, having helped Millonarios to two
championships in the 1970s. By 1982, he was 30 years old, nicknamed "El Viejo Willy" (Old Willy), and still toiling away for Deportivo Cali. Although older,
he had not lost a step, and was still a crafty midfield player capable of generating a sudden attack. Ochoa wanted him for his team, and in the 1982–83
offseason signed him for an unknown transfer fee.

Ortiz's arrival transformed América's style from total defense to rapid attack. They became known as La Mechita (The Fuse), and in 1983 Ortiz and Juan
Manuel Battaglia combined for 40 goals. Their efforts paid off; América were able to successfully defend the title and also qualified for the semi-finals of the
1983 Copa Libertadores.[16] And the best was still yet to come.

1984 saw Ochoa strengthen his midfield by signing Peruvian César Cueto, a creative player nicknamed "The Left-Footed Poet" in his native country.
Midfielder Álex Escobar also began regularly playing for the club. Originally a youth prospect with the club, Escobar would become a fixture in the club's
midfield until 1996. With Cueto, Escobar, and Ortiz in the midfield, La Mechita marched to a third straight championship.[17]

In 1985, as América set its sights on another title, Ochoa strengthened the squad again, this time by adding Paraguayan
forward Roberto Cabañas and Argentine striker Ricardo Gareca. The season came down to its penultimate match, but
América's late victory over Deportivo Cali clinched a fourth crown in a row.[18] Even more memorable, though, was their
thrilling run through the 1985 Copa Libertadores. La Mechita won their first round group with an undefeated record of two
wins and four draws, then topped their semi-final group to earn a place in the finals against Argentinos Juniors. The
Argentine team won the first leg 1–0, but Willington Ortiz scored in the fourth minute of the second leg to power América
to a 1–0 victory. This forced a decisive third match, played in Asunción. After a 1–1 tie, Argentinos won a penalty shootout
to hoist the Copa Libertadores.

The 1986 season saw América set a Colombian record with an unprecedented fifth straight championship. It was another
hard-fought race, but ultimately the club was able to hold off a late surge by Deportivo Cali and bring home the crown,
clinching the title with a win over their crosstown rivals.[19] Simultaneously, they were making another run through the
1986 Copa Libertadores. They topped their preliminary group (eliminating Deportivo Cali as they went) and survived a
tough semi-finals group to reach the championship round for a second year in a row. There, they met Argentine
Ricardo Gareca, Carlos
powerhouse River Plate with the South American championship on the line. River won the first leg in Cali 2–1, then Ischia and Julio Falcioni,
clinched their first Copa Libertadores title by winning 1–0 back in Buenos Aires. notable players for América
during the 1980s
1987 saw the club's ultimate heartbreak in the Copa Libertadores. Los Diablos Rojos advanced to the final for the third
time in a row, earning a shot at Uruguayan giants Peñarol. América won the first leg 2–0, and then took a 1–0 lead early
in the second leg. It looked like the Copa Libertadores was at last coming to Cali. However, Peñarol rallied to win 2–1, then defeated América 1–0 in extra
time in the ensuing playoff match in Santiago. It had been yet another near miss.[20]

Back at home, América's grip on the domestic league finally slipped. Millonarios broke their string of five consecutive titles by winning the title in 1987, then
repeating as champions in 1988. Early on, 1989 looked to be a titanic battle between the new champions and a revitalized América, but instead the season
was interrupted by tragedy.

1989 [ edit ]

The 1989 season of the Colombian football league was cancelled halfway due to the murder of referee Álvaro Ortega. The Apertura tournament had been
won by América and the team was standing in third place during the second tournament. In a key match against Independiente Medellín in Medellín, they
battled to a scoreless draw. Rumors that referee Álvaro Ortega had unfairly favored América swirled. That night, Ortega was gunned down in the streets.
After the match, a journalist received a call from a man claiming to be one of the murderers and blaming Ortega for the result of the game, saying "we and
our patrons lost a lot of money (because of this)".[21][22]

1990s [ edit ]

The new decade began with América in transition. The heart of the club that had won five straight championships was now gone. Aurelio Pascuttini had left
in 1982, Cesar Cueto in 1985, Luis Eduardo Reyes in 1986, Roberto Cabañas in 1987, and Willington Ortiz, Ricardo Gareca, Roque Alfaro, and Humberto
Sierra in 1988. After the 1989 season, Juan Manuel Battaglia retired and Julio Falcioni returned to Argentina. La Mechita was seemingly finished.

But they still had Ochoa as their manager and Alex Escobar in midfield and Antony de Ávila at the front. In 1990, De Ávila was joined up front by Sergio
Angulo, who had previously starred with Deportivo Cali and Santa Fe, and Escobar was joined in the midfield by new acquisition Freddy Rincón, a starring
midfielder on the national side. Spurred on by their near miss in the cancelled season of 1989, the club marched to the championship in 1990, winning the
Apertura, the Finalización, and the playoff tournament in grand style. They were champions for the seventh time in club history.[23]

1991 was a year of near misses. Atlético Nacional knocked América out in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, then beat them to the title in the
Colombian league. After the season, Gabriel Ochoa Uribe retired as manager, ending a career that had spanned fifteen years and seven league
championships. América hired an equally high-profile manager to replace him: Francisco Maturana. Maturana had won the 1989 Copa Libertadores with
Atlético Nacional and guided Colombia to the knockout stages of the 1990 World Cup, then managed Real Valladolid in Spain during the 1990–91 season.
He was widely expected to continue his string of successes with América.

The club won the 1992 Finalización and dominated the playoff stages, hoisting their eight championship and second in three years. But the agony
continued in the Copa Libertadores. The 1992 edition saw them reach the semi-finals again, and earn a meeting with Newell's Old Boys of Argentina. Both
legs ended in a 1–1 draw, and so the match went into penalties. After a marathon round of penalties, Newell's prevailed 11–10.[24][25]

In 1993, Maturana's final year with the club, the side slipped to fourth place domestically but still managed an impressive campaign in the Copa
Libertadores. They became the first Colombian side to ever win at Brazil's legendary Maracanã Stadium, beating Flamengo, and advanced all the way to
the semi-finals. Once again they were denied, losing to a last minute goal from Chile's Universidad Católica.

After the season, Maturana left to focus on managing the Colombia national team. Nonetheless, the club's era of success continued. They remained near
the top of the Colombian league in 1994, 1995, and 1996, and qualified for the 1996 Copa Libertadores. That year, America mounted another legendary
run through the tournament, charging all the way to the Copa Libertadores finals, where they once again faced River Plate. Antony de Ávila scored the
winning goal in the first leg, poking the ball into the net from a seemingly impossible angle. In Argentina, however, River Plate prevailed 2–1, thanks to two
goals from Hernán Crespo. Crespo's second goal came when keeper Óscar Córdoba left his area to try and clear a ball, only to have it return right to the
possession of River Plate.

Despite the Copa Libertadores disappointment, the 1996–97 season still brought some glory to América. Due to a fomat change for the Colombian league
midway into the season, this was a marathon tournament, lasting sixteen months (the longest in Colombian history). Despite the length and complexity of
the season, Los Diablos Rojos were nonetheless able to win their ninth championship, beating Atlético Bucaramanga in the finals.

Homegrown manager Jaime de la Pava took charge in 1998, and continued the club's dominance. His first title was the 1999 Copa Merconorte, America's
second international title. The following year, de la Pava led the club to its tenth title in 2000, repeating this feat in 2001 and in the 2002 Apertura against
rivals Nacional, a title which was seen as unexpected as América had finished eighth in the regular season and Nacional finished one point off the top spot,
as well as being undefeated in the semi-finals. However, it was not long afterwards that the tide began to turn against them, and de la Pava left by mutual
consent after missing out on the 2002 Finalización finals by one point.

The new millennium and the "Clinton List" [ edit ]

Although the 1990s had seen América win three more championships, it also saw a new development that would
drastically undermine the foundation of the club's success. The new problem was a direct result of América's long
rumored connections to drug cartel leader Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela. The cartels had been laundering their money in
the United States, and in 1995 President Bill Clinton became engaged in a new effort to stop it. He signed Executive
Order 12978, which compiled a list of suspected drug cartel fronts. Under the new law, it was illegal for any American
business to engage in financial transactions with these fronts. In all, over 1,000 Colombian individuals and businesses
were placed on the list.
Copa Mustang 2001
One such business was América de Cali and its board members. Their lives were suddenly changed; Transfer fees
now needed to be paid in cash, visas for tours in the United States were denied, and any assets that the club held in
American banks were frozen. Sponsorship deals collapsed, and prize money from international tournaments could not be delivered to the club, which was
now entirely dependent on ticket sales for revenue.

Unable to pay competitive salaries or acquire the top talent that they had during the 1980s and 1990s, América was forced to sell many of its stars and
began fading as a force in Colombian football. By 2004, the players acquired back in the club's glory days were mostly gone, and the caliber of their
replacements was nowhere near the same. Although the club managed to reach the semi-finals of the 2003 Copa Libertadores, qualification to the 2005
Copa Libertadores, the finals of the 2008 Apertura tournament, and win a championship in the 2008 Finalización tournament, these were merely a blip in a
long, painful decline. Just a year after winning the league title, America found itself bottom of the aggregate table for the 2009 season, and finished second-
to-last in the Finalizacion tournament. Things didn't improve in the Copa Libertadores either; the team finished bottom of its group and exited the
tournament without winning a single game. The 2010 season was just as bad; America failed to qualify for the playoffs in both tournaments.

Relegation and second tier (2011–16) [ edit ]

The club's problems finally bottomed out at the end of the 2011 season when América finished second-to-last in the relegation table and was forced to play
a relegation play-off against Patriotas,[26] which they lost on penalties after a 2–2 aggregate score and were relegated to the Categoría Primera B for the
first time on 17 December 2011, after a string of 57 seasons in the top flight.[27]

América was expected to achieve immediate promotion back to the top flight, and they dominated the 2012 Primera B season. They were undefeated at
home and beat Unión Magdalena on penalties to win the Apertura tournament. However, they performed poorly in the Torneo Finalización and failed to
reach the final, and then went on to lose the season finals to Alianza Petrolera on penalties. They were then defeated 5–3 on aggregate, including a 4–1
loss at home, in a promotion play-off against Cúcuta Deportivo.[28]

In 2013, after years of battling,[29] the club was finally removed from the Clinton List, having been on it since 1996.[30] 2013 was nevertheless a
disappointing year for the club on the sporting front: in both tournaments América topped the table as the first seed but failed to make the finals. In 2014,
they made it to the final of the Apertura tournament, but lost to Jaguares 5–2 on aggregate.[31] The Finalización tournament was even more disappointing,
as the club finished eighth in the league table, barely making the semi-finals and finishing last in their group.

In 2016, under the direction of Hernán Torres, América placed second in the first stage and qualified for the semi-finals, where they ended up in first place
of their group and advanced to the finals. On 27 November, La Mechita achieved promotion to the Categoría Primera A after five seasons in the second
division with a 2–1 victory against Deportes Quindío on the last matchday of the semifinal stage, thanks to goals from Ernesto Farías and Cristian Martinez
Borja.[32][33] In the tournament's final series, they defeated Tigres 5–1 on aggregate and won their first Primera B title.[34]

Return to domestic glory [ edit ]

In its first season back to the Primera A after being promoted, and despite being in danger of relegation for most of the season, América achieved a good
performance that qualified them for the Copa Sudamericana, after several seasons without international participation. The team placed seventh in the
Torneo Apertura, advancing to the knockout phase, where they were eliminated by crosstown rivals Deportivo Cali in the semi-finals. In the Torneo
Finalización, the team placed sixth and were eliminated again in the semi-finals, this time by Millonarios, who would eventually win the tournament against
Santa Fe. In their return to international competition, they were knocked out of the 2018 Copa Sudamericana in its first round by Argentine side Defensa y
Justicia after winning 1–0 in Argentina and losing the second leg in Cali by a 3–0 score.

In both tournaments of the 2019 season, América displayed a solid performance. In the Apertura tournament, the team placed fourth in the first stage and
third in their semi-final group, behind eventual runners-up Deportivo Pasto and tournament favourites Millonarios, whom they beat on the last matchday
thus preventing them from advancing to the final. They eventually won their fourteenth domestic league title and first in 11 years in the Finalización
tournament. Under the guidance of manager Alexandre Guimarães and led by strikers Michael Rangel and Duván Vergara, with the former becoming one
of the tournament's top scorers, the team placed second in the first stage and topped their semi-final group ahead of crosstown rivals Deportivo Cali, Santa
Fe, and Alianza Petrolera. In the final, Los Diablos Rojos faced Junior, whom they beat 2–0 on aggregate score over two legs to win the championship and
secure a return to the Copa Libertadores for its 2020 edition after an 11-year absence.[35]

The 2020 season began with the return to the club of veteran legend Adrián Ramos, as well as América's return to the Copa Libertadores, in which their
campaign began with a loss to Grêmio at home and a 2–1 win in Santiago de Chile against Universidad Católica, when both the domestic league and
international competition were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club was unable to reach an agreement with Alexandre Guimarães and the
manager left the club in June upon the expiration of his contract, being replaced by Juan Cruz Real for the remainder of the season. Activity resumed in
September with América losing the 2020 Superliga Colombiana to Junior. The team would eventually also fail to advance from the group stage of the Copa
Libertadores, tying 1–1 with Grêmio in Porto Alegre on the last matchday due to a last-minute penalty which also prevented them from dropping to the
Copa Sudamericana as they ended in last place of their group. Even with the Copa Libertadores disappointment, América would make another great
domestic league run, as they went on win their 15th league title and second in a row by beating Santa Fe in the finals with a 3–2 aggregate score over two
legs.

In 2021, América de Cali were able to advance to the knockout stages of the Apertura tournament, losing to Millonarios in the quarter-finals over two legs,
but failed to qualify for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores after ending in third place of a group with Cerro Porteño from Paraguay, Brazilian side
Atlético Mineiro and Venezuelan champions Deportivo La Guaira as rivals, which cost Juan Cruz Real his post as Escarlata manager. Juan Carlos Osorio
was hired as new manager for the Finalización tournament as well as the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana, where they were beaten by the
eventual champions Athletico Paranaense in the round of 16. Domestic performance was uneven, as the team lost another Superliga, this time against
Santa Fe, but qualified for the semi-finals of the Finalización tournament with a 5–1 away thrashing of Deportivo Pereira on the last day of the first stage
which allowed them to advance in eighth place, and were eliminated from title contention in their semi-final group with one match to spare following a home
loss to Deportes Tolima. However, the team's performance throughout the season was rewarded with qualification for the 2022 Copa Sudamericana thanks
to their fifth place in the aggregate table. Osorio continued as manager for 2022, but he was eventually sacked after a few games in the 2022 Apertura
tournament due to a combination of poor on-field performances, as well as personal rifts with the club's controlling shareholder and elimination from the
Copa Sudamericana at the hands of Independiente Medellín in the first round. Alexandre Guimarães returned to América following Osorio's dismissal, but
the team failed to advance to the Apertura semi-finals and was also knocked out of the Copa Colombia by Unión Magdalena in the round of 16.

Kit [ edit ]

Home [ edit ]

In its early years, América wore blue and white kits based on the colors of Argentinian side Racing Club. The club eventually switched to its iconic red and
white colors, a switch that became permanent in 1931. According to club lore, the inspiration was a basketball game witnessed by club secretary Hernando
Lenis, in which he was impressed by a basketball team nicknamed "The Red Devils". That game lives on in both the club's jersey and their nickname, Los
Diablos Rojos.[36]

Away [ edit ]

Throughout history, América de Cali has had several alternative uniforms, mostly white with red, although they have on occasion worn black or blue. Their
best remembered alternative uniform featured red shorts with a white short.[36][37] The club has also occasionally worn commemorative uniforms, such as
in 1958, when they wore a similar uniform to Racing Club, in honor of their own first uniform.[38]

Third [ edit ]

The club has a second alternative jersey, colored in black, that they began wearing in mid-2006.[39]

Chronology [ edit ]

America de Cali Kit chronology [show]

Crest [ edit ]

The first crest of the club was known in the mid-30s, this crest was the map of South America in
reference to the name of the team that was constituted as América F.C., it was used until 1939.

The devil first appeared on the crest in 1940 because of the popular belief that the players "played like
devils" on the field. During Gabriel Ochoa Uribe's twelve years with the institution, the devil was always
an inconvenience for him so it was removed for religious reasons. For this reason, the crest only carried
the number of stars or titles obtained by the club.
The club's first First devil, used in
In 1992, the devil was completely removed and was only used for the administrative aspects of the
crest, taken from a the 40s.
1938 photo. institution. As a celebration of the club's 70 years, the devil was put back on the uniforms. From this
date forward, any malignant beliefs regarding the devil have been completely removed. In 2007, to
commemorate the club's 80 years of existence, the devil was temporarily replaced with a logo that read "80 años" (80 years) and
underneath "1927–2007"; above the crest are the 13 stars obtained by the club. In 2010, the devil returned to the crest, in the shirts made by Saeta, which
was the kit sponsor at the time.

As of 2017, the institutional crest without stars is presented, following the international homologation in the global professional football industry. Teams only
show their badges without graphic reference to their sporting achievements.

Mascot [ edit ]

The mascot of América de Cali is a red devil, this is because different sports journalists commented that the club's players in the 1930s looked like red
devils running, so this made the club take the devil as the emblem.

América de Cali Mascot América de Cali Mascot

Stadium [ edit ]

Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero

Rivalries [ edit ]

América de Cali vs Deportivo Cali [ edit ]

This game is known as El Clásico Vallecaucano (the Valle del Cauca derby). These teams are fierce, long-standing rivals for dominance in the city of Cali.
The rivalry dates back to a local football tournament in 1931; Deportivo Cali prevailed 1–0 in a controversial game that saw two América goals disallowed.
The club published a series of articles in protest and was banned from local tournaments for a year. The rivalry has only grown since then. The clubs have
met 335 times, with Cali claiming 125 victories and América 104. 106 matches between the teams have been drawn.

Both teams have won 25 league titles combined and played three title deciders (Deportivo Cali won one in 1969, while América won in 1986 and 1992).
Typically, between 30,000 and 35,000 fans attend this match at the stadium.[40]

América de Cali vs Atlético Nacional [ edit ]

This rivalry, known as the Clásico Popular ("People's Classic") since it involves the two Colombian clubs with
the largest fanbases,[41] gained importance starting from the decade of the 80s, when both América and
Atlético Nacional began to stand out both in local competition and continental tournaments, and peaked
between 1990 and 2002 when both teams consolidated their standing among the most powerful in Colombian
football. During that stretch, the clubs met 15 times in championship finals, most recently in 2002.[42] The
clubs have also met 11 times in the Copa Libertadores and twice in the Copa Sudamericana. This is an
extremely even rivalry, with América claiming 93 wins to Nacional's 98 (with 80 draws).
América de Cali vs Atlético Nacional for
América de Cali vs Millonarios [ edit ] the Copa Mustang II in 2007

These two teams are among the most popular and successful in Colombia, combining for 31 league titles (16
for Millonarios and 15 for América) and having some of the largest and best organized supporters groups. The rivalry peaked in the 1980s, when seven out
of the nine contested championships were won by either América (5) or Millonarios (2). The two were also the main contenders in the cancelled 1989
season. The decline and relegation of América cooled the rivalry somewhat in the early 2010s, but it resurfaced with their return to the top tier and frequent
matchups in final stages, with Millonarios getting the edge since then.[43]

América de Cali vs Santa Fe [ edit ]

This is a minor and more recent rivalry which began to emerge during the late 1980s and early 1990s. During that time period, América made a habit of
purchasing Santa Fe's best players for very low prices, and then using them to win championships. Some Santa Fe players that transferred to América are
Eduardo Niño, Wílmer Cabrera, and Sergio Angulo; all of these players were part of América's 1990 league title squad. This produced bad feelings
between the two sets of supporters.[44] The rivalry's competitive peak came in 1999, when América defeated Santa Fe on penalties over two legs in the
Copa Merconorte finals, whilst in 2020 they played each other in the final series of that season, which ended with América claiming their fifteenth title.

Its lowest point came on 11 May 2005, when a fight between the supporters groups left one person dead. The game was called off with América ahead 5–2
at El Campín.[45][46] The rivalry remains heated today, although it is felt more on the Santa Fe side of the rivalry.

Honours [ edit ]

América de Cali honours

Type Competition Titles Seasons

1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1996–97, 2000, 2001, 2002–I, 2008–II,
Categoría Primera A 15
Domestic 2019–II, 2020

Categoría Primera B 1 2016

Copa Merconorte 1 1999

International
Copa Simón Bolívar 1s 1975

Primera Categoría
7 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1939, 1940
Departamental[47]

Segunda Categoría
Regional 2 1927, 1930
Departamental[47]

Copa Centenario Batalla de

1 1919
Boyacá[47]

record
s
shared record

Other honours [ edit ]

Friendly [ edit ]
Torneo ESPN: 2020
Copa Ilustre Municipalidad de Chillan: 2016
Copa Campeones de América: 2016
Copa Ciudad de Antofagasta: 2013
Noche Escarlata: 2013 & 2016
Copa Cafam: 2008, 2011
Copa Sky: 2001
Copa Ciudad Viña del Mar: 2000
Copa Municipio de Andalucía: 1998
Noche Amarilla: 1995
Trofeo Banco de Crédito e Inversiones: 1986
Copa Osvaldo Juan Zubeldía: 1982
Copa Gobernación del Valle: 1979
Trofeo del Consulado Peruano: 1947

Players [ edit ]

Current squad [ edit ]

As of 18 July 2023[48][49][50]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player No. Pos. Nation Player

1 GK COL Diego Novoa 21 DF COL Edwin Velasco

5 DF COL Kevin Andrade 24 DF COL David Contreras

6 MF COL Gustavo Carvajal 25 FW COL Darwin Quintero

7 MF COL Cristian Barrios 26 MF COL Esneyder Mena

8 MF COL Víctor Ibarbo 27 MF COL Juan Camilo Portilla

9 FW ARG Facundo Suárez 29 MF COL Andrés Sarmiento (on loan from Vizela)
10 MF ESP Iago Falque 31 GK ESP Juan Pablo Múnera

11 MF COL Luis Sánchez 32 MF ARG Franco Leys

12 GK COL Jorge Soto 33 FW COL Juan Hincapié

13 DF COL Daniel Quiñones 34 DF COL Maicol Valencia

15 DF COL John Édison García 35 MF COL David Nazarith

16 DF COL Felipe Mosquera 36 FW ARG Juan Bautista Farías

17 DF COL Cristian Arrieta 39 DF COL Jhoiner Asprilla

18 FW COL Daniel Mosquera 42 MF COL Jader Quiñónes

19 MF COL Luis Alejandro Paz 88 MF COL Edwin Cardona

20 FW COL Adrián Ramos (captain) — DF COL Joyce Ossa

Out on loan [ edit ]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player No. Pos. Nation Player

— DF COL Andrés Álvarez (at Atlético Cali) Didier Pino (at Deportivo Pasto until 31
— MF COL
Yaliston Martínez (at Orsomarso until 31 December 2023)
— DF COL
December 2023) — FW COL Yeferson Contreras (at Šibenik)

Brayan Medina (at Fortaleza C.E.I.F. until 31 Carlos Cortés (at Santiago Wanderers until 31
— DF COL — FW COL
December 2023) December 2023)

— DF COL Juan Camilo Mesa (at Šibenik) — FW COL Marino Hinestroza (at Palmeiras)

Eber Moreno (at Deportivo Pereira until 31 Joider Micolta (at Cúcuta Deportivo until 31
— DF COL — FW COL
December 2023) December 2023)

— MF COL Juan Nieva (at Llaneros)

World Cup players [ edit ]

The following players were chosen to represent their country at the FIFA World Cup while contracted to América de Cali.

Marcos Coll (1962)

Jaime González (1962)
Luis Carlos Paz (1962)
Rolando Serrano (1962)
Roberto Cabañas (1986)
Wilmer Cabrera (1990)
Alexis Mendoza (1990)
Freddy Rincón (1990)
Leonel Álvarez (1994)
Óscar Córdoba (1994)
Harold Lozano (1994)
Wilson Pérez (1994)
Antony de Ávila (1994)

Presidents [ edit ]

List of América de Cali presidents

Records [ edit ]

Most appearances [ edit ] Top scorers [ edit ]

Rank Name Apps Rank Name Goals

1 Álex Escobar 505 1 Antony de Ávila 208

2 Antony de Ávila 492 2 Jorge Ramón Cáceres 135

3 Luis Eduardo Reyes 396 3 Juan Manuel Battaglia 110

4 Gilberto Cuero 389 4 Leonardo Fabio Moreno 98

5 Julio César Falcioni 376 5 Jairo Castillo 92

6 Hugo Valencia 357 6 Armando Torres 90

7 Juan Manuel Battaglia 353 7 Álex Escobar 88

8 Gabriel Chaparro 340 8 Orlando Maturana 79

9 Víctor Lugo 325 9 Jorge da Silva 77

Gerardo González Aquino 312 10 Ricardo Gareca 74

10
Foad Maziri 312

Coaching history [ edit ]

List of América de Cali managers

References [ edit ]

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Retrieved 11 April 2014. Vanguardia.com (in Spanish). 7 December 2012. Archived from the original
2. ^ "World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 – Pascual Guerrero Olympic on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
Stadium" . World Athletics. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2023. 29. ^ "Club de fútbol colombiano intenta olvidar pasado narco" . Reuters. 5
3. ^ Espinoza, Fernando; Pérez, Eliézer (27 June 2007). "Copa Simón Bolívar March 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April
1976 (1st tournament)" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022.
2022. Retrieved 14 June 2019. 30. ^ "U.S. clears America de Cali from 'Clinton list' " . ESPN.com. 3 April 2013.
4. ^ Andrés, Juan Pablo; Ballesteros, Frank (29 August 2000). "Copa Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
Merconorte 1999" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 August 31. ^ "Jaguares derrotó al América y se coronó campeón del Torneo
2022. Retrieved 14 June 2019. Postobón" . elpais.com.co (in Spanish). 8 June 2014. Archived from the
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America]. IFFHS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 December Colombia News | Colombia Reports. 28 November 2016. Archived from the
2010. Retrieved 15 November 2021. original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
7. ^ "El Club de Sudamérica del Siglo XXI" [The Club of South America of the 34. ^ "América se corona campeón del Torneo Águila y se despide de la B" .
21st Century]. IFFHS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 October Caracol Radio (in Spanish). 10 December 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
2013. Retrieved 15 November 2021. 35. ^ "From the Clinton List and relegation to the top of Colombian football - how
8. ^ "Ranking Histórico de la Conmebol 1960–2013 (5 primeros clubes por país) America de Cali cleared their name and came back from oblivion" .
– 1a. parte" [Conmebol 1960–2013 Historical Ranking (5 top clubs per Goal.com. 3 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022.
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on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2013. 36. ^ a b Copa Mustang (18 May 2007). "America de Cali's founders" .
9. ^ "Ranking de clubes CONMEBOL 2023" [2023 CONMEBOL clubs Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2008.
ranking]. CONMEBOL Libertadores. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 37. ^ Copa Mustang (18 May 2007). "See photo 1953" . Archived from the
16 December 2022. original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
10. ^ "Colombia – Foundation Dates of Clubs" . RSSSF. Archived from the 38. ^ Copa Mustang (18 May 2007). "See photo 1958" . Archived from the
original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2017. original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
11. ^ a b "Archived copy" . Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. 39. ^ Bestiario del balón (18 May 2007). "América Play Boy" . Archived from
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2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. Marca Claro Colombia. 22 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5
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2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018. Spanish). El País. 19 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6
15. ^ "Colombia 1982" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 December October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. 43. ^ "El complicado historial de América vs. Millonarios desde el ascenso"
16. ^ "Colombia 1983" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 23 March [América's complicated record vs. Millonarios since promotion] (in Spanish).
2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023. Futbolete. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
17. ^ "Colombia 1984" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 21 December 44. ^ "Independiente Santa Fe vs América de Cali: un clásico de rojos teñido de
2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. historia, rivalidad y supremacía" . VAVEL (in Spanish). 2 July 2021.
18. ^ "Colombia 1985" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 7 December Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. 45. ^ "Un muerto y 24 heridos dejan disturbios en el estadio El Campín de
19. ^ "Colombia 1986" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 23 March Bogotá" . Caracol Radio (in Spanish). 12 May 2005. Archived from the
2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023. original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
20. ^ "Copa Libertadores 1987" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 46. ^ "Matan un hincha y tiran a otro de la tribuna" . Clarín (in Spanish). 13 May
September 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. 2005. Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved
21. ^ Kay, Bryan (30 July 2015). "The day FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja took on 30 December 2021.
drug lord Pablo Escobar" . Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. 47. ^ a b c Amateur titles
Retrieved 2 August 2018 – via www.theguardian.com. @AmericargCali (9 February 2021). "América de Cali en la era
22. ^ Service, Geoffrey Matthews, London Observer. "COLOMBIAN SOCCER IN amateur" (Tweet) (in Spanish) – via Twitter.
MOURNING" . chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on 9 March "América de Cali cumple 86 años" (in Spanish). RCN Radio. 13
2021. Retrieved 26 March 2020. February 2013. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved
23. ^ "Colombia 1990" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 September 26 September 2021.
2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. "América, la "Mechita" de cumpleaños" (in Spanish). Antena 2. 13
24. ^ "Colombia 1992" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 29 September February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved
2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. 21 August 2022.
25. ^ "Copa Libertadores 1988" . RSSSF. Archived from the original on 15 "Historia M 231" (in Spanish). Course Hero. Archived from the
September 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023. original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
26. ^ "América de Cali inicia Promoción ante Patriotas" . ESPN.com.mx (in 48. ^ "Equipo profesional masculino – América de Cali" . americadecali.co. 27
Spanish). 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved
Retrieved 12 April 2022. 16 February 2018.
27. ^ "América llora: Se va para la 'B' tras perder con Patriotas por penales" . 49. ^ "América de Cali" . Dimayor. Archived from the original on 23 March
Colombia.com (in Spanish). 17 December 2011. Archived from the original 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022. 50. ^ "Plantel de América de Cali" . ESPN. Archived from the original on 25
November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.

External links [ edit ]

Official Website Wikimedia Commons has

Dimayor profile of the team media related to América de
Cali.
FIFA profile of the team

· · América de Cali [show]

Links to related articles [show]

Categories: América de Cali Association football clubs established in 1927 Football clubs in Colombia 1927 establishments in Colombia
Categoría Primera A clubs Copa Merconorte winning clubs

This page was last edited on 28 August 2023, at 02:27 (UTC).

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