Unión San Felipe

Club de Deportes Unión San Felipe, commonly known as Unión San Felipe or simply San Felipe, is a professional football club based in the city of San Felipe, in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Founded on October 16, 1956, the club currently competes in the Primera B, the second tier of the Chilean football league system.

Unión San Felipe is best known for its historic ascent in the early 1970s, when it became the only club in Chilean football history to win the second division (1970) and the first division in consecutive seasons—claiming the Primera División de Chile title in 1971, just a year after earning promotion. That triumph earned them a place in the 1972 Copa Libertadores, marking their debut on the continental stage.

The club has also won the Primera B championship twice (1970 and 2009) and lifted the Copa Chile in 2009, qualifying for the 2010 Copa Sudamericana. San Felipe's home ground is the Estadio Municipal de San Felipe, a traditional venue with a capacity of approximately 12,000 spectators.

Nicknamed «El Uni-Uni», the club is renowned for its provincial identity, strong local fanbase, and historic role in breaking the dominance of Chile’s major urban teams in early 1970s.

History

The club was founded on October 16, 1956, as a merger between San Felipe F.C. and Atlético Unión, two traditional amateur clubs from the city of San Felipe, located in the Aconcagua Valley of central Chile. The aim of the merger was to unite local efforts and talent in order to gain entry into the professional ranks of Chilean football, and to represent the province at a national level.

The club was admitted into the Segunda División de Chile (Second Division) in 1958. During its early seasons, Unión San Felipe became known for its disciplined playing style, solid local support, and a strong sense of identity rooted in its provincial pride. The team gradually improved its standings, gaining respect as a well-managed institution despite limited financial resources.

The turning point in the club's history came in 1970, when Unión San Felipe won the Segunda División, earning promotion to the Primera División for the first time in its history. Astonishingly, just one year later, in 1971, Unión San Felipe achieved an unprecedented feat by winning the Primera División championship in its debut season at the top level. Coached by Luis Santibáñez, the team featured a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, playing an aggressive and organized style that surprised many of the country’s traditional football powers.

This title win made Unión San Felipe the only Chilean club in history to win the second division and the first division in back-to-back seasons, a record that still stands. As national champions, they qualified for the 1972 Copa Libertadores, where they were drawn into a group with Nacional and Peñarol of Uruguay and fellow Chilean side Universidad de Chile. Although they were eliminated in the group stage, their participation marked a milestone for the club.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Unión San Felipe remained in the Primera División, though unable to replicate its earlier success. The club became a fixture in the mid-to-lower end of the table and experienced several relegation battles.

21st Century

After several seasons of struggle in the lower tiers, Unión San Felipe experienced a major resurgence in 2009. Under the management of Ivo Basay, the team had an extraordinary year, winning the Primera B (Second Division) title and earning promotion to the Primera División. That same year, the club also claimed the Copa Chile title, defeating Deportes Iquique 3–0 in the final. This made Unión San Felipe one of the few clubs in Chilean football history to win both a league title and a major domestic cup in the same season.

Their Copa Chile triumph qualified them for the 2010 Copa Sudamericana, in which they faced Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. Although they were eliminated in the first round, the club once again made headlines for reaching an international competition.

Back in the top flight, San Felipe initially managed to stay competitive, finishing 9th in the 2010 season. However, financial difficulties, managerial instability, and inconsistent performances led to the club’s eventual relegation back to the Primera B in 2012. Since then, Unión San Felipe has remained in the Primera B, often flirting with promotion but falling short in key moments.

Despite the challenges, the club maintains a strong community presence and continues to play a formative role in developing young talent. In recent years, the club has focused on building a sustainable model centered on youth academies, regional scouting, and fan engagement. While promotion to the top tier remains the ultimate goal, Unión San Felipe has embraced its role as a symbol of provincial resilience and footballing identity.

Current squad

Managers

Unión San Felipe’s managerial history is marked by a few iconic figures and a long list of short-term appointments. The most legendary coach in the club's history is Luis Santibáñez, who led the team to back-to-back titles in 1970 and 1971, including the club’s only Primera División championship. His leadership not only brought unprecedented success but also secured San Felipe’s first and only appearance in the Copa Libertadores in 1972. Santibáñez would later become one of Chile’s most prominent coaches, including a stint with the national team.

Decades later, Ivo Basay brought new glory to the club in 2009, winning both the Primera B and the Copa Chile, and qualifying for the 2010 Copa Sudamericana. His tenure is widely seen as the most successful of the modern era, restoring the club’s reputation nationally.

In recent years, the club has experienced frequent managerial turnover. Among the most notable are Víctor Rivero, known for his work in youth development across multiple spells; and Jonathan Orellana, who assumed the role in 2023 as part of a generational shift focused on local talent and tactical stability. While continuity has been elusive, these coaches reflect Unión San Felipe's enduring ambition and its role as a resilient force in Chilean football.

Honours

National

* Primera División
** Winners (1): 1971

* Copa Chile
** Winners (1): 2009

* Primera B
** Winners (3): 1970, 2000, 2009

South American cups history

References

External links

Official website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Union San Felipe

Football clubs in Chile
Association football clubs established in 1956
1956 establishments in Chile