Club Social y Deportivo Xelajú Mario Camposeco, commonly known as Xelajú MC or just ''Xela'' and nicknamed ''Superchivos'' is a Guatemalan professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

club competing in the

Liga Nacional Liga or LIGA may refer to: People * Līga (name), a Latvian female given name * Luciano Ligabue, more commonly known as Ligabue or ''Liga'', Italian rock singer-songwriter Sports * Liga ACB, men's professional basketball league in Spain * Lig ...

, the top tier of Guatemalan football. They are located in Quetzaltenango, Department of Quetzaltenango, and play their home matches in the ''

Estadio Mario Camposeco The Estadio Mario Camposeco is a football stadium located in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. It is the home of one of the most traditional clubs in Guatemala, Xelajú MC (''Los Chivos''). It has a capacity of 11,220. Location The Mario Camposeco ...

''. They are the most successful team (in terms of national titles won) not based in the capital city in the history of the league.

History

The club was founded in 1928 as ''Germania''; after ten years of existence, their name would be changed to ADIX ''(Asociación Deportiva Independiente de Xelajú)'', and during that time the uniform colors were established as red jersey and blue shorts,History
- Official website a combination that remains to date. The team was renamed Xelajú Mario Camposeco in honor of local footballer Mario Camposeco who was the captain of the club in the 1940s, helped them win 10 consecutive Quetzaltenango department titles, and who was still an active player when he died in a plane crash in 1951. Source: The ''Superchivos'' have been Guatemalan champions six times, first in 1961–62, again in 1980, a third time in 1995–96, a fourth time in the 2006–07 season, a fifth in 2011–12, and a sixth in 2022-23. Xelajú has won the

Copa Centenario Copa or COPA may refer to: COPA COPA may refer to: * Computer Operator Programming Assistant. trade of ITI * Child Online Protection Act, a former U.S. law to protect minors from certain material on the internet * Canadian Owners and Pilots Asso ...

once, in 1972–73. In the 2007 Clausura tournament, they eliminated five-time defending champion Municipal in semi-finals, to reach their first final since the inception of the ''Apertura''/''Clausura'' format. They faced Marquense, losing the first match 0–1 and winning the second match 4–1, for an aggregate score of 4–2 which gave them their fourth championship. It was the first time since 1980 that two teams from outside of Guatemala City finished first and runner-up. The club currently has a kit deal with Spanish-based company Kelme. Past kit sponsors include Joma, Lotto, Vicnar,

Puma Puma or PUMA may refer to: Animals * ''Puma'' (genus), a genus in the family Felidae ** Puma (species) or cougar, a large cat Businesses and organisations * Puma (brand), a multinational shoe and sportswear company * Puma Energy, a mid- and d ...

, MR, Reto Sports, and Do More. They have a fierce rivalry with Suchitepéquez, which is known as the ''Clásico del Suroccidente,'' one with Marquense known as the ''Clasico de Occidente,'' and inner department rivals Coatepeque known as the ''Derbi de Quetzaltenango.'' Their other known rivalry also consist of

Antigua Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...

and a fierce rival with Comunicaciones which is known as ''El Clasico del Oeste.''

Crest

The club's shield is circular in shape, it has written in white letters the name of the team around the circumference, in the center it has a goat and the background is a yellow soccer ball. For each title the club gets, a Moon is added to the shield.

Supporters

Xelajú has the largest fan base outside of the capital department and have great tradition within

Guatemala Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...

n football. They are considered as one of the biggest fanbases in all of Central American football. One of the most typical characteristics of the supporters is the way they sing ''

Luna de Xelajú Luna de Xelajú is a very popular Guatemalan waltz composed by Paco Pérez in 1944. The title translates as "Moon of Xelajú". "Xelajú" (pronounced sheh-lah-HOO) is the Kʼicheʼ Maya name for the Guatemalan city Quetzaltenango, still often p ...

'', a theme considered as the anthem of Quetzaltenango.

Honours

Domestic honours

Leagues

Liga Nacional de Guatemala Liga or LIGA may refer to: People * Līga (name), a Latvian female given name * Luciano Ligabue, more commonly known as Ligabue or ''Liga'', Italian rock singer-songwriter Sports * Liga ACB, men's professional basketball league in Spain * Lig ...

and predecessors ** Champions (6): 1962, 1980, 1996, Clausura 2007, Clausura 2012, Clausura 2023

Cups

* Copa de Guatemala and predecessors ** Champions (3): 1963, 1973, 2010

Performance in international competitions

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 ...

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 ...

- Second Round *

UNCAF Interclub Cup The UNCAF Club Tournament was an annual international football competition held in the UNCAF region (Central America). The competition was open to the leading domestic club teams in the region. The winners of each national league qualified automat ...

2007 File:2007 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Steve Jobs unveils Apple's first iPhone; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 overruns a runway and crashes into a gas station, killing almost 200 people; Former Pakistani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pr ...

- Quarterfinals *

CONCACAF Champions League 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 ...

:: 2012-13 - Quarterfinals *

CONCACAF Central American Cup The Central American Cup ( es, Copa Centroamericana) is an upcoming annual continental club football competition to be organized by CONCACAF. It will be contested by clubs from Central America and serve as that region's qualifying tournament t ...

2023 Events Predicted and scheduled events * January 1 ** In the United States, books, films, and other works published in 1927 will enter the public domain, assuming there are no changes made to copyright law. ** Croatia will adopt the eu ...

- Group Stage

Current squad

''As of: August 18, 2024''

Out on loan

Notable former players

* Sergio Anaya ''(FW)'' (1959–1966) * Mariano Crisanto Meléndez (''FW'') (1995-1996) * Mario Camposeco ''(FW)'' (1942–1951) * Julio Ariz Leiva ''(FW)'' (2003-2004) *

Minor López Minor Ignacio López Campollo (born 1 February 1987) is a Guatemalan footballer who currently plays for Comunicaciones B in the Primera División de Ascenso. He was also a member of the Guatemala national team, playing in the 2010 and 2014 Wor ...

''(FW)'' (2007-2011) * Wilber Pérez ''(FW)'' (2020-2022) * Mario Castellanos ''(FW)'' (2017-2021) *

Darwin Lom Darwin Gregorio Lom Moscoso (born 14 July 1997) is a Guatemalan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga Nacional club Mixco and the Guatemala national team. Club career Hartford Athletic On 17 August 2021, he joined USL Cha ...

''(FW)'' (2022-2023) * Julio Estacuy (''DF)'' (2005-2019) * Milton Leal ''(DF)'' (2009-2020) * Fredy Santiago ''(DF)'' (2009-2016) * Wilber Caal ''(DF)'' (2012-2014) * Jhony Girón (''DF)'' (2006-2015) * Néstor Jucup (''MF)'' (2008-2019) * Marco Pappa (''MF)'' (2018-2019) *

Aslinn Rodas Aslinn Enei Rodas De León (born June 10, 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga Nacional club Xelajú. Born in the United States, he represents the Guatemala national team. Career Amateur In college, Rodas ...

''(MF)'' (2014-2024) * Frank de León ''(MF)'' (2023-2024) * Edgar Macal ''(MF)'' (2017-2022) * Kevin Arriola ''(MF)'' (2012-2017) * Édgar Chinchilla ''(FW)'' (2011-2015) *

Jhonny Cubero Jhonny Cubero Quesada (born 23 March 1976 in Grecia) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who currently plays for Coatepeque in Guatemala. Club career A much-travelled forward, Cubero made his professional debut on 23 March 1996 for Pun ...

''(FW)'' (2005–2010) *

Fernando Patterson Fernando Arturo Patterson Castro (born 15 March 1970 in Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican former football goalkeeper who finished his career at Xelajú in Guatemala's top division. He is a naturalized citizen of Guatemala. Club career Born in L ...

''(GK)'' (1996–2008) * Sergio Morales ''(MF)'' (2004–2013) *

Kenner Gutiérrez Kenner Gutiérrez Cerdas (born 9 June 1989) is a Costa Rican professional footballer. Career He played for Costa Rica at the 2017 Copa Centroamericana and the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was named among the standby players for the 2018 FIFA ...

''(DF)'' (2022-2023) * Jorge Suárez ''(GK)'' (1981–1982) * Mauricio Quintanilla ''(FW)'' (1979–1982) *

Alexander Larín Alexander Vidal Larín Hernández (born 27 June 1992) is a Salvadoran professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Primera División club Alianza and the El Salvador national team. Club career Early career in El Salvador Larín bega ...

''(DF)'' (2021) *

Israel Silva Israel Silva Matos de Souza (born 24 June 1981) is a former Brazilian footballer who played as a striker. Club career Silva started his career in Brazil but his best years as a soccer player came when he went to play in Guatemala. He starte ...

(''FW'') (2004–2021) * Juliano Rangel (''DF)'' (2013-2016)

Managerial history

* Roberto Chávez Lozano (1961–1962) * Aníbal Villagrán (1963) * Asisclo Sáenz (1963–1964) * Ferenc Meszaros (1966) * Arnoldo Camposeco (1972–1973) * Sergio Anaya (1978) *

Javier Mascaró Carlos Javier Mascaró Vildósola (24 July 1934 – unknown), known as Javier Mascaró, was a Chilean football manager and a goalkeeper. Playing career A goalkeeper, Mascaró is one of the few players who have played for the three greatest club ...

(1980) * Orlando de León (1981) *

(1991–1992) * Marvin Rodríguez (1995–1996) *

Walter Claverí Walter Enrique Claverí Alvarado is a Guatemalan football coach. He debuted in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against United States. Claverí was a member of the Guatemalan team that won a bronze medal at the 1983 Pan American Games ...

(2000) * Camilo Aguilar (2001) * Julio Antúnez (2001–2004) * Edwin Pavón (2004) * Luis da Costa (2005–2006) *

Carlos Jurado Carlos Daniel Jurado Román (born 11 June 1947) is a former Uruguayan footballer and manager. He was most recently the manager of Mexican side Estudiantes de Altamira in the Ascenso MX. Playing career Carlos Jurado began playing in the Paysand� ...

(2007) * Gabriel Castillo (2008–2009) *

Alberto Jorge Alberto Mario Jorge Espósito (born 1 January 1950) is an Argentine association football manager and former player. He spent most of his career in Mexico, where he arrived in 1975 to play with León. As a manager, he won a Primera División ti ...

(2009–2010) *

Horacio Cordero Horacio Raúl Cordero Vásquez (born 22 May 1950 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine football manager and former player. Playing career Cordero played for a number of clubs in Argentina including Argentinos Juniors, Racing Club, Unión de Santa ...

(2010) * Francisco Lobato (2010) * Gustavo Adolfo Cifuentes (2010) *

(2010–2011) *

Hernán Medford Hernán Evaristo Medford Bryan ( , ; born May 23, 1968) is a Costa Rican former Association football, football player and coach. Highly regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of Central American football, Medford achieved su ...

(2011–2013) *

Saul Lorenzo Rivero Saul (; he, , ; , ; ) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel. His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BCE, supposedly marked the transition of Israel and Judah from a scattered tri ...

(2013–2014) * Hector Julian Trujillo (2013–2014) *

(2014) *

Nahúm Espinoza Nahún Alberto Espinoza Zerón (born 14 August 1964) is a retired Honduran football player and football manager, who currently is in charge of Club Deportivo Olimpia. Club career He started his career at Real España and also had a lengthy sp ...

(2014–2015) *

(2015-2016) *

(2016) * Rafael Loredo (2016) * Ronald Gómez (2016-2018) *

(2018) * Ramiro Cepeda (2018-2019) * Walter Horacio González (2019) *

Sergio Egea Sergio Horacio Egea Rueda (born 21 September 1957) is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a central defender, and is a manager of Spanish Salamanca CF UDS. Playing career Born in Necochea, Egea graduated from Estudiantes de La Plata's y ...

(2019-2020) *

(2020) * Marcó Antonio Morales (interim) (2020-2021) * Gustavo Machaín (2021) * Marcó Antonio Morales (2021) *

Irving Rubirosa Irving Rubirosa Serrano (born 3 May 1979) is a Mexican former professional football player and coach. Career Born in Chimalhuacán, Rubirosa made his Mexican Primera División debut with Atlante F.C. in 1999. He was involved in a player exch ...

(2021-2022) *

Amarini Villatoro Marvin Amarini Villatoro de León (born May 6, 1985) is a Guatemalan football coach. He is the current manager of Liga Nacional club Xelajú. Coaching career In 2006, Villatoro joined the coaching staff at Costa Rican club Pérez Zeledón. In ...

(2022-present)

References

External links

*
Guatemala – List of Champions
on RSSSF {{DEFAULTSORT:Xelaju Mc Xelaju M.C. Association football clubs established in 1928 1928 establishments in Guatemala Quetzaltenango