Atlético Español Fútbol Club, was a professional football club based in Mexico City. From 1971 to 1982, the club competed in Primera División, the top division of Mexican football, and played its home matches at Estadio Azteca. Founded in 1971, when a group of Spanish entrepreneurs acquired the franchise of Necaxa. The club was dissolved in 1982, after the franchise was acquired by Televisa.
History Atlético Español was founded on 19 September 1971, when a group of Spanish entrepreneurs and business people bought the franchise of Necaxa and change their name to Atlético Español. The reason for the name change was due to their nationality and ideology in the world of business. The branded club were modeled on the defunct club Real Club España, with a similar name and kit to the predecessor. The club would immediately obtain the nickname Toros because in their badge was a bull next a football and the initials AE.
Atlético Español characterized itself to be a team which was a fighter, but their start was not the ideal one since in the 1971–72 season they were a point away from descending to the 2nd division. Other teams fighting to avoid relegation that season were C.F. Torreón, Irapuato and Veracruz, in the end Irapuato would be the club to be relegated. For the 1972–73 season Atlético Español would reach the semifinals against Club León losing 5–4 in the third leg going all the way to penalties.
In the 1973–74 season, they would reach the final against Cruz Azul. They would play a two legged tie in which Atlético Español would win the first leg 2–1 but lose the second 3–0, finished as runners-up.
Atlético Español would win their first and only international title in the 1975 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, defeating Transvaal 5–1 on aggregate.
In 1976, the club disputed the Copa Interamericana against Club Atlético Independiente. Both matches were played in Buenos Aires and after an aggregate score of 2–2 penalties needed to take place, losing the penalty shootout 4–2.
Season 1980–81 Español would once again get into the liguilla getting 4th in group A led by Cruz Azul, who would lose the final against Pumas de la UNAM. For the season of 1981–82 they would dispute their ultimate ligulla getting to the quarterfinals versus Club de Fútbol Atlante, round they would lose 5–3 in aggregate.
After 11 years as Atlético Español, the club owners unexpectedly sold the franchise, which was acquired by the Mexican television network Televisa. On July 21, 1982, the name and colours reverted to that of Necaxa, hoping to revive the tradition the team had left in Mexico City.
Statistics These are the statistics of Atlético Español in the Primera División de México:
GP W D L GF GA Pts DIF 429 148 134 147 588 586 430 2 In Copa México:
GP W D L GF GA Pts DIF 30 15 4 11 62 50 34 12 GP – Games Played W – Win D – Draw L- Loss GF – Goals in Favour GC – Goles en Contra GA – Goals Against Pts – Points DIF – Goal Difference
Honours Domestic TypeCompetitionTitles Winning yearsTop divisionPrimera División0—1973–74
International TypeCompetitionTitles Winning yearsIntercontinentalCONCACAFCONMEBOLCopa Interamericana0—1976ContinentalCONCACAFCONCACAF Champions Cup11975—
International record Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate 1975 CONCACAF Champions' Cup Second round Monterrey1–11–02–1 Semi-finals Saprissa2–12–14–2 Final Transvaal2–13–05–1 1976 Copa Interamericana Final Independiente0–02–22–2 (2–4 p)
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