Alianza F.C.
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Alianza Fútbol Club, also known simply as Alianza, is a
football club A football team is a group of players selected to play together in the various team sports known as football. Such teams could be selected to play in a match against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an all- ...
based in
San Salvador, El Salvador San Salvador (; ) is the capital and the largest city of El Salvador and its eponymous department. It is the country's political, cultural, educational and financial center. The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, which comprises the capital ...
. Founded in 1958, Alianza was almost immediately successful, winning its first championships in the 1966 and 1967 Salvadoran seasons. Even more significantly, Alianza was the first Central American and Salvadoran club to win the
CONCACAF Champions' Cup The CONCACAF Champions League, known officially as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONCACAF. The tournament is contested by clubs from North Ameri ...
in 1967, and is currently one of only three Salvadoran teams to have done so.


History


The beginning

''Atlético La Constancia'' was formed in 1958 by a group of workers in San Salvador. Although small in terms of financial status, they were able to reach the Liga de Ascenso (second division) final in 1958. They lost 2–0 in a two legged series against Águila. The club, however, purchased a spot in the first division at the expense of
Once Municipal Club Deportivo Once Municipal was a Salvadoran football team from Ahuachapán that last competed in the Primera División, the premier division of Football in El Salvador, in 2018. It was nicknamed "''The Canarian Tank"'', and its home stadium ...
. This enabled them to gain the sponsorship of the Intercontinental Hotel and its president,
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...
vian Axel Hochkoeppler. Because of Hochkoeppler's support, Alianza FC president Enrique Sol Meza decided to name the club Alianza FC in honor of
Alianza Lima Club Alianza Lima, popularly known as Alianza Lima or simply Alianza, is a Peruvian professional sports club based in La Victoria District of Lima, Peru. It is widely known for having one of the most historical and successful football teams i ...
. Hernán Vivanco joined the club as the coach and began getting the players to play an exciting style of football. That style and a strong advertising campaign quickly won over the support of the population of San Salvador. Before long, Alianza was surpassing Juventud Olímpica as the nation's most popular club. One of Alianza's greatest triumphs happened in 1966, when they defeated a Santos side that included the great
Pelé Edson Arantes do Nascimento (; born 23 October 1940), known as Pelé (), is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and labelled "the greatest" by FIFA, ...
. The win took place at the Estadio Nacional Flor Blanc, and featured the efforts of loaned Argentines Dante Juárez, Juan Verón and Santiago, all on loan at the time.


Orquesta Blanca

1966 was also the year that Alianza won its first tile. Due to the cohesion and speed with which Hernán Carrasco had the team playing, Alianza became known as ''La Orquesta Alba'' (the Dawn Orchestra). The team was made up of many great players, including Edgar "Pata Gorda" Morales, Roberto "La Burra" Rivas, Alberto "Pechuga" Villalta, Raúl "Araña" Magaña, Guido Alvarado, Salvador Mariona, Mario Monge, Luis "Cascarita" Tapia, Miguel "El Chueco" Hermosilla, Ricardo Sepúlveda and Jorge "El Conejo" Liévano. The team won fifteen straight matches on their way to the league championship, where they defeated Águila 2–1. Goals were scored by Hermosilla and
Mario Monge Mario Antonio Monge Paredes (born 27 November 1938) was a footballer from El Salvador who played as a forward. Club career Monge played for two of the "Big Four" of Salvadoran football, FAS and Alianza. International career Monge has repre ...
. In all, "La Orquesta Alba" outscored their opponents eighty-three to thirty-nine and won twenty of their thirty-six matches. The club repeated as champions in 1967, defeating Sonsonate FC 5–1 in the finals. They then went on to become the first El Salvadoran club to win the
CONCACAF Champions' Cup The CONCACAF Champions League, known officially as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONCACAF. The tournament is contested by clubs from North Ameri ...
, defeating Jong Colombia over a three-leg series. Alianza lost the first leg, but won the second to force a replay. They prevailed 5–3, with Tapia and Flores scoring twice each.


Decline and title drought

After the 1967 title, members of the Orquestra began retiring. Players like Brazilian internationals Camargo, Taneses and Nilton Rodarte, Peruvian international Fernando Alva, Uruguayan international Julio César "El Pocho" Cortés, Chilean international Hugo Ottensen came through the ranks. So too did domestic players including Miguel "La Mica" González, Herbert Machón, "Míchel" Cornejo, Armando Cortez Sandoval, Jaime "Samba" Saravia, Roberto "El Cuchillo" Guerra, Jaime "La Chelona" Rodríguez and Carlos "El Cacho" Meléndez. However, the 1970s were less successful than the 1960s. They reached the playoff finals four times (1971, 1973, 1975–76, and 1978–79) but finished runner-up each time. Then, after a string of disappointing seasons, the club came out of the wilderness to challenge for the title in 1985. However, they would be runners-up again, losing 5–2 to city rivals
Atlético Marte Atlético, Spanish for ''athletics'', or Athletico in English, may refer to: Sports Teams Athletico * Athletico SC (Lebanon), a Lebanese football academy * Athletic Bilbao, or Atletico Bilbao, Basque students athletic club (also forming Athletic ...
.


Title success

In 1986, the title drought finally ended.
Ricardo Sepúlveda Ricardo Sepúlveda (19 May 1941 – 3 February 2014) was a Chilean football manager and player. He played as a forward. Managerial career Following his retirement he went on to coach several teams in El Salvador including Alianza, Atlético Ma ...
, a member of "The Orquesta Alba", returned to the club as a manager and led them to their third championship and first in twenty years. The championship match pitted Alianza against Águila, and it ended 0–0 after extra time. The game went to penalties, and Alianza won 3–1, with Carlos Reyes scoring the decisive goal. A corner had been turned. The brilliance of Chilean Raúl Toro powered Alianza to a fourth title in 1989; he scored the winning goal in the final against
Luis Ángel Firpo Luis Ángel Firpo (October 11, 1894 – August 7, 1960) was an Argentine boxer. Born in Junín, Argentina, he was nicknamed ''The Wild Bull of the Pampas''. Boxing career In 1917, Firpo began his professional boxing career by beating Frank Hag ...
. 1993–94 saw a fifth crown, as the Uruguayan Gustavo Faral managed the club to a 2–1 championship win over FAS. 1997 saw Alianza win its second international championship, when they defeated
Deportivo Saprissa Deportivo Saprissa is a Costa Rican sports club, mostly known for its football team. The club is based in San Juan de Tibás, San José, and play their home games at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá. The team's signature colours are purple ...
from Costa Rica to win the UNCAF Club Championship. The management of technician
Juan Carlos Masnik Juan Carlos Masnik Hornos (2 March 1943 – 23 February 2021) was a Uruguayan association football, football player and manager, who represented the Uruguay national football team, Uruguay national team at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Ca ...
and the heroic efforts of players such as
Horacio Lugo José Horacio Lugo (born May 27, 1966) is a former Argentine football player, he played for more than 15 years, and after retiring moved to Richmond, Virginia. He is the former Director of Player Development at Chesterfield United Soccer Club. ...
, Marcelo Bauza, Uruguayan
Alejandro Curbelo Alejandro César Curbelo Aguete (born 19 September 1973 in Montevideo) is a former Uruguayan footballer. International career Curbelo made three appearances for the senior Uruguay national football team at the 2001 Copa América The 2001 Cop ...
and Adrián de la Cruz powered the team to two more titles soon after.


The Invincibles

Alianza went through the Apertura 2017 season undefeated, becoming the first Salvadoran side to achieve such a feat. Their 4–1 win over Santa Tecla in the final was the icing on the cake, and saw a double from
Rodolfo Zelaya Rodolfo Antonio Zelaya García (born 3 July 1988) is a Salvadoran professional footballer who plays as a second striker for Salvadoran club Alianza and the El Salvador national team. In October 2013, Zelaya was given a one-year ban from foot ...
, plus strikes from league leading goalscorer Gustavo Guerreño, and midfielder Marvin Monterrosabr>


Honours


Domestic honours

* Salvadoran Primera División, Primera División: 17 *Winners (17): 1965–66, 1966–67, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1996–97, Apertura 1998, Apertura 2001, Clausura 2004, Clausura 2011,
Apertura 2015 The ' and ' tournaments is a split season format for Spanish-speaking sports leagues. It is a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional association football season from August to May is divi ...
, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2018, Apertura 2019, Apertura 2020, Apertura 2021, Clausura 2022 *Copa Presidente: 1 *Winners (1): 1966


International honours

*
CONCACAF Champions' Cup The CONCACAF Champions League, known officially as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONCACAF. The tournament is contested by clubs from North Ameri ...
: 1 *Winners (1):
1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...
* UNCAF Club Championship: 1 *Winners (1):
1997 File:1997 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The movie set of ''Titanic'', the highest-grossing movie in history at the time; ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', is published; Comet Hale-Bopp passes by Earth and becomes one of t ...
::Runner-up (1):
1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC. * January 9 – ...


Friendly tournament

*Copa Acción Cívica: 1 ::1966 *Copa Santa Ana: 1 ::1977 *Copa Roberto "Burra" Rivas: 1 :: 2015


Records

TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
holds the record for most Alianza appearances, having played
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
first-team matches from Year to Year.
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
comes second with 725 appearances. The record for a goalkeeper is held by
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
, with 000 appearances. With 000 caps (000 while at the club),
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
is Alianza's most capped international player.
Rodolfo Zelaya Rodolfo Antonio Zelaya García (born 3 July 1988) is a Salvadoran professional footballer who plays as a second striker for Salvadoran club Alianza and the El Salvador national team. In October 2013, Zelaya was given a one-year ban from foot ...
is Alianza's all-time top goalscorer, with 147 goals. Six other players have also scored over 100 goals for Alianza: TBD (1953–64), TBD (1971–88), TBD (1958–66), TBD (1985–92), TBD (2009–current) and the previous goalscoring record-holder
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
(1994–2010).
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
holds the record for the most league goals scored in one season (48 in 2014–15).
TBD To be announced (TBA), to be confirmed (TBC), to be determined or decided or declared (TBD), and other variations, are placeholder terms used very broadly in event planning to indicate that although something is scheduled or expected to happen, a ...
's 49 goals in 58 matches was for decades the all-time highest tally in CONCACAF competition. The fastest goal in the history of the club (26 seconds) was scored by the Colombian Duvier Riascos on 15 September 2021 during a league match against
Santa Tecla F.C. Santa Tecla Fútbol Club is a Salvadoran multi-sport club based in Santa Tecla since being formed in 2007. Although they compete in a number of different sports, Santa Tecla is mostly known for its professional association football team. The clu ...
* Alianza FC was the first Salvadoran team to win
CONCACAF Champions' Cup The CONCACAF Champions League, known officially as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONCACAF. The tournament is contested by clubs from North Ameri ...
. * Alianza FC are the last Salvadoran team to win UNCAF Club Championship. * Alianza FC are the last Salvadoran team to win an international competition, this being the UNCAF Club Championship in 1997. * Alianza FC are the first and only team in Salvadoran League to win the domestic championship undefeated.


Sponsorship

Companies that Alianza currently has sponsorship deals with include: *
Umbro Umbro is an English sports equipment manufacturer founded in 1924 in Wilmslow, Cheshire and based in Manchester. They specialise in football and rugby sportswear featuring their ''Double Diamond'' logo. Umbro products are marketed in over 100 c ...
– official kit suppliers *
Tigo Millicom International Cellular SA (NASDAQ U.S.: TIGO, NASDAQ Stockholm: TIGO_SDB) is a Luxembourgish fixed line and mobile telecommunications services provider dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America operating under the Tigo brand. As of D ...
– official sponsors *
Pepsi Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. Originally created and developed in 1893 by Caleb Bradham and introduced as Brad's Drink, it was renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898, and then shortened to Pepsi in 1961. History Pepsi was ...
– official sponsors *
Domino's Pizza Domino's Pizza, Inc., trading as Domino's, is an American multinational pizza restaurant chain founded in 1960 and led by CEO Russell Weiner. The corporation is Delaware domiciled and headquartered at the Domino's Farms Office Park in Ann Arbor ...
– official sponsors * Los Rinconcitos – official sponsors * Farmactas virgen de Guadulope – official sponsors *
Gatorade Gatorade is an American brand of sports-themed beverage and food products, built around its signature line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo and is distributed in over 80 countries. The beverage was first develop ...
– official sponsors * Canal 4 – official sponsors


Stadium

Alianza Futbol Club has forged its entire history in the Estadio Nacional de la Flor Blanca (now Estadio Jorge "Mágico" González), in which they achieved three titles during the 1960s. However, it was damaged in the 2001 earthquakes and Alianza moved to the
Estadio Cuscatlán The Estadio Cuscatlán is a football stadium located in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. It was inaugurated in 1976. It can hold 53,400 spectators, making it the stadium with the largest spectator capacity in Central America and the Cari ...
, where they have kept playing to this day. * Estadio Nacional de la Flor Blanca (1960–2001) *
Estadio Cuscatlán The Estadio Cuscatlán is a football stadium located in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. It was inaugurated in 1976. It can hold 53,400 spectators, making it the stadium with the largest spectator capacity in Central America and the Cari ...
(2002–2012) * Estadio Nacional de la Flor Blanca (2013) *
Estadio Cuscatlán The Estadio Cuscatlán is a football stadium located in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. It was inaugurated in 1976. It can hold 53,400 spectators, making it the stadium with the largest spectator capacity in Central America and the Cari ...
(2013–2014) * Estadio Nacional de la Flor Blanca (2014) *
Estadio Cuscatlán The Estadio Cuscatlán is a football stadium located in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. It was inaugurated in 1976. It can hold 53,400 spectators, making it the stadium with the largest spectator capacity in Central America and the Cari ...
(2015–''present'')


Players

Alianza is the first Salvadoran team to form an under-17 team for the new Under-17 League competition that was scheduled to begin in April 2014.


Current squad

''As of: 19 November 2022''


Out on loan


In


Out


Players with dual citizenship

* Michel Mercado


Youth League squad

Alianza "B". 's youth squad plays in the ten-team Primera División Reserves (El Salvador). Current members of the squad are:


Coaching staff


Management


Notable players


Notable players

Below are the notable former and current players who have represented Alianza in Primera Division and international competition since the club's foundation in 1958. To appear in the section below, a player must have played in at least 100 official matches for the club, a list of every Alianza player who has been called up by their national team. * Misael Alfaro *
Ramiro Carballo Ramiro Ernesto Carballo Henríquez (born 16 March 1978 in Colón, La Libertad, El Salvador) is a retired Salvadoran professional football player. Club career Ramiro Carballo came through the youth ranks at Alianza and made his professional ...
*
Raúl Magaña Raúl Alfredo Magaña Monzón (24 February 1940 – 30 September 2009) was a Salvadoran footballer and manager. He is regarded as one of the greats of Salvadoran football. Club career Magaña made his debut aged 18 against Deportivo Saprissa ...
* Salvador Mariona * José Quintanilla * Roberto Rivas *
Jaime Rodríguez Jaime Alberto Rodríguez Jiménez (born 17 January 1959) is a former Association football, football player from El Salvador. He represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. Playing career Club career From a very early age on ...
* Adonay Martínez *
Rodolfo Zelaya Rodolfo Antonio Zelaya García (born 3 July 1988) is a Salvadoran professional footballer who plays as a second striker for Salvadoran club Alianza and the El Salvador national team. In October 2013, Zelaya was given a one-year ban from foot ...
*
Horacio Lugo José Horacio Lugo (born May 27, 1966) is a former Argentine football player, he played for more than 15 years, and after retiring moved to Richmond, Virginia. He is the former Director of Player Development at Chesterfield United Soccer Club. ...
*
Luis Hernán Álvarez Luis Hernán Álvarez Hernández (21 May 1938 – 23 January 1991) was a Chilean footballer who played in clubs in Chile and El Salvador. Teams * Colo-Colo 1958-1965 * Magallanes 1966 * Alianza 1967 * Green Cross Temuco 1968 * Antofagasta P ...
*
Ricardo Sepúlveda Ricardo Sepúlveda (19 May 1941 – 3 February 2014) was a Chilean football manager and player. He played as a forward. Managerial career Following his retirement he went on to coach several teams in El Salvador including Alianza, Atlético Ma ...
* Adolfo Alamiro Olivares *
Didier Ovono Didier Janvier Ovono Ebang (born 23 January 1983) is Gabonese professional association football, footballer who plays as a goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper. Club career In 2008, Ovono won the Georgian League with FC Dinamo Tbilisi. ...
*
Luis Ernesto Tapia Luis Ernesto Tapia Pérez (born October 21, 1944 in Panama) is a retired football forward, who is regarded as the best player ever in Panama. He was active on the Panama national football team between 1963 and 1979. Club career A native of Bar ...
*
Julio César Cortés Julio César "''El Pocho''" Cortés Lagos (born 29 March 1941) is an Uruguayan football coach and former midfielder who participated in three World Cups with the Uruguay national team. At the club level, Cortés was most successful during t ...
*
Alejandro Curbelo Alejandro César Curbelo Aguete (born 19 September 1973 in Montevideo) is a former Uruguayan footballer. International career Curbelo made three appearances for the senior Uruguay national football team at the 2001 Copa América The 2001 Cop ...


Team captains


Retired numbers

2Roberto Rivas, defender (1960–70)


Presidential history

Alianza have had numerous presidents over the course of their history, some of which have been the owners of the club; others have been honorary presidents. Here is a complete list of them.


Notable managers

The most successful all-time manager is Chilean Hernán Carrasco, who won four championships during his two tenures with Alianza FC (1966–67, 1989–92). The list of honours includes three Primera División titles (1965–66, 1966–67, 1989–90) and one
CONCACAF Champions' Cup The CONCACAF Champions League, known officially as the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons, is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONCACAF. The tournament is contested by clubs from North Ameri ...
(
1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...
). Uruguayan Carlos Masnik was another notable manager with two titles won with Alianza, one Primera División championships (1996–97) and one UNCAF Club Championship (
1997 File:1997 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The movie set of ''Titanic'', the highest-grossing movie in history at the time; ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', is published; Comet Hale-Bopp passes by Earth and becomes one of t ...
). Chilean
Ricardo Sepúlveda Ricardo Sepúlveda (19 May 1941 – 3 February 2014) was a Chilean football manager and player. He played as a forward. Managerial career Following his retirement he went on to coach several teams in El Salvador including Alianza, Atlético Ma ...
and Uruguayan
Rubén Alonso Rubén Rudesindo Alonso Alves (born 1 September 1962) is a former Uruguayan professional football player and currently manager of second division team Cruzeiro. Playing career He won titles with Alianza and Real España, and was the top goalsco ...
both had outstanding careers as players for Alianza, and are the only two to win a title both as a player and coach. Sepulveda won the 1986–87, while Alonso won the Apertura 1998 and Apertura 2015, their most recent title victory. Gustavo Faral won the 1993–94 championship, becoming the first Uruguayan and the first of three Uruguayans to win a title with Alianza. Ramón Paredes become the first and so far only Salvadoran coach to win a title as coach of Alianza, which he did in the 2001 Apertura title. Uruguayan Juan Martín Mujica led the team to the 2004 Clausura title. Under the coaching of Roberto Gamarra, Alianza won the Clausura 2011. Jorge Humberto Rodriguez helped Alianza win the 2017 Apertura title and also achieve the distinction of being the first team to go the entire season undefeated.


References


External links

* *
Official Twitter
{{UNCAF Interclub Cup Winners 1958 establishments in El Salvador Association football clubs established in 1958 Alianza Football clubs in San Salvador CONCACAF Champions League winning clubs UNCAF Interclub Cup winning clubs