Alianza F.C.

Alianza F.C.
Full name Alianza Fútbol Club
Nickname(s) Los Albos
Paquidermos (Elefantes Blancos) The Peruvians
Founded 1958 (1958) (as Atlético La Constancia)
Ground Estadio Cuscatlán,
San Salvador, El Salvador
Capacity 53,400
Manager El Salvador Schafik Chávez
League Primera División

Alianza Fútbol Club, also known simply as Alianza, is a football club based in San Salvador, El Salvador.

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 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. This enabled them to gain the sponsorship of the Intercontinental Hotel and its president, Peruvian 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. 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. 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. 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, 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. Waves of great 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 great 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 not as successful as the 1960s.

The reached the playoff finals four times (1971, 1973, 1975-76, and 1978-79) but finished runner-up each time. Then, after a long 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. [1]

Title success

In 1986, the title drought finally ended. Ricardo Sepúlveda, 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. 1993-94 saw a fifth crown, as the Uruguayan Gustavo Faral managed the club to a 2-1 championship win over FAS.[2]

1997 saw Alianza win its second international championship, when they defeated Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica to win the UNCAF Club Championship. The management of technician Juan Carlos Masnik and the heroic efforts of players such as Horacio Lugo, Marcelo Bauza, Uruguayan Alejandro Curbelo and Adrián de la Cruz powered the team to two more titles soon after.[3]

The Invicibles

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, plus strikes from league leading goalscorer Gustavo Guerreño, and midfielder Marvin Monterrosa.

Honours

Domestic honours

  • Copa Presidente: 1
  • (1):1966

International honours

Runner-up (1): 1980

Friendly tournament

  • 1st, gold medalist(s) (1) *Copa Acción Cívica: 1
1966
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) (1) *Copa Santa Ana: 1
1977
  • Copa Roberto “Burra” Rivas: 1
  • 1st, gold medalist(s) (1) – : 2015

Records

  • Alianza FC was the first Salvadoran team to win CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
  • 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:

  • Joma – official kit suppliers
  • Tigo – official sponsors
  • Pepsi – official sponsors
  • Domino's Pizza – official sponsors
  • Los Rinconcitos – official sponsors
  • Farmactas virgen de Guadulope – official sponsors
  • Gatorade – 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. Since the 2013–14 season, Alianza FC has returned to Estadio Jorge "Mágico" González.

Retired numbers

2 – El Salvador Roberto Rivas, defender (1960–70)

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 :January 2018
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Uruguay GK Víctor García
4 El Salvador DF Iván Mancía
5 El Salvador DF Mario Jacobo
6 El Salvador MF Narciso Orellana
7 Colombia FW Bladimir Díaz
8 Colombia FW Daley Mena
9 El Salvador MF Óscar Cerén
10 El Salvador MF Enrique Contreras
11 El Salvador MF Juan Carlos Portillo
12 El Salvador DF Rubén Marroquín
14 El Salvador MF Herbert Sosa (captain)
15 El Salvador DF Jonathan Jiménez
No. Position Player
16 El Salvador DF Henry Romero
17 El Salvador MF Marlon Cornejo
20 Uruguay DF Darío Ferreira
21 El Salvador MF Marvin Monterrosa
22 El Salvador FW Rodolfo Zelaya
23 El Salvador FW José Peña
25 El Salvador GK Óscar Arroyo
27 El Salvador MF Isaac Portillo
28 El Salvador DF Rudy Clavel
30 El Salvador DF Ronaldo Almendárez
32 El Salvador MF Elías Rivas
El Salvador GK Yimmy Cuéllar

Out on loan

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

No. Position Player
El Salvador FW Ricardo Guevara (at Aguila for the 2018 Apertura)
El Salvador FW David Díaz (at Aguila for the 2018 Apertura)
No. Position Player
El Salvador MF TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season)
El Salvador DF TBD (at TBD for the 2018–19 season)

In

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

No. Position Player
— El Salvador FW Bladimir Díaz (From AS Chalatenango)
— El Salvador FW Ángel Peña (From Municipal Limeño)
— El Salvador GK Jimmy Cuéllar (From Free Agent)
No. Position Player
— El Salvador FW Marlón Cornejo (From Santa Tecla)
— Colombia FW Daley Mena (From Audaz)

Out

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

No. Position Player
— El Salvador GK Fidel Mondragón (To T.B.A.)
— El Salvador MF Alexander Larín (To Comunicaciones)
— El Salvador MF Rodrigo Rivera (To Santa Tecla)
No. Position Player
— Paraguay FW Gustavo Guerreño (To Santa Tecla)
— El Salvador MF Rudy Valencia (To Audaz)

Players with dual citizenship

Youth League squad

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

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

No. Position Player
32 El Salvador MF Elías Rivas
33 El Salvador DF Geovany López
34 El Salvador DF Alexis Montes
35 El Salvador MF Luis Rivera
36 El Salvador DF Marvin Sandoval
37 El Salvador DF Misael Valencia
38 El Salvador MF Josué Pacheco
39 El Salvador MF José Portillo
40 El Salvador MF Jason Marroquín
No. Position Player
41 El Salvador MF Éver Guzmán
42 El Salvador DF Emmanuel Flores
43 El Salvador DF Julio César Huezo
44 El Salvador FW Emerson Mauricio
45 El Salvador FW Diego Sánchez
46 El Salvador MF Wilian Flores
47 El Salvador MF Julio César Campos
48 El Salvador MF Herberth Díaz
53 El Salvador GK Cristian Rivera

Coaching staff

Position Staff
ManagerEl Salvador Schafik Chávez
Assistant ManagerEl Salvador Jorge Rodríguez[4][5][6]
Reserve Manager
Under 17 ManagerEl Salvador Juan Carlos Serrano
Goalkeeper CoachEl Salvador Adonai Martínez
Team Physical Trainer
Fitness Coach
Team Doctor
KnesliogiocalEl Salvador Felix Zambia
UtilityEl Salvador Pablo Quironga
Director of Sports

Management

Position Staff
OwnerEl Salvador Asociación de Empresa Pohl
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasury
Sports ManagerEl Salvador Milton Meléndez

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.

 
Name Years
Peru Axel Hochkoeppler 1957–59
El Salvador Enrique Sol Meza TBA
El Salvador Mauricio Salaverría Cáceres TBA
El Salvador Ricardo Sol Meza TBA
El Salvador Ernesto Muyshondt Parker TBA
El Salvador Vicente Sol Bang TBA
Spain Juan Grané TBA
  
Name Years
Alejandro Hutt TBA
El Salvador Ricardo Simán TBA
Luis Ohrlich TBA
El Salvador Fernando Calvo TBA
El Salvador Ronald Calvo TBA
Miguel Pinto TBA
Rafael Rengifo TBA
  
Name Years
El Salvador Ricardo Balzaretti TBA
El Salvador Oscar Antonio Rodriguez ????–01
El Salvador Ricardo Padilla 2001–05
El Salvador Salvador Mariona 2005–07
El Salvador Lisandro Pohl[7][8][9] 2008–2016
El Salvador Adolfo Salume 2017–present

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.

For a complete list of Alianza players, see Category:Alianza F.C. footballers.

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 (1967).

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).

Chilean Ricardo Sepúlveda and Uruguayan Rubén Alonso 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

  1. ↑ "el cuento de la final navidena". El Grafico. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Los Nuevos Campeonatos". La Nacion. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Alianza es grande". La Nacion. 12 June 1997. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Jorge Rodríguez, técnico del Alianza: "Nos faltan más goles" | El Gráfico". Elgrafico.com. 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  5. ↑ "FAS y Alianza juegan por la historia en el fútbol salvadoreño - elsalvador.com". elsalvador.com. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. ↑ ""Los árbitros también nos quieren quitar el invicto"". laprensagrafica.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "Lisandro Pohl: "Jorge Rodríguez seguirá, ganemos o perdamos la final" | El Gráfico". Elgrafico.com. 2017-05-19. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  8. ↑ "Presidente del Alianza habla de recortes en plantel si no mejoran las taquillas". elgrafico.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Así celebró el Alianza con su afición el récord de partidos sin perder". elgrafico.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  • "Alianza F.C. - Página oficial de Alianza F.C. de El Salvador |". Alianzafutbolclub.com.sv. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  • "Alianza F. C". Archived from the original on 2004-11-27. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
  • ".::Infierno Blanco | La Web Del Aliancista::". Infiernoblanco.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2017-07-19.
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