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| Full name | Atlético Español Fútbol Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Toros (Bulls) | ||
| Founded | 19 September 1971; 54 years ago (1971-09-19) | ||
| Dissolved | 21 July 1982; 43 years ago (1982-07-21) | ||
| Ground | Estadio Azteca Mexico City | ||
| Capacity | 114,600 | ||
| Chairman |  Duarte Mendietta Xequiz (1971–1982) | ||
| League | Primera División de México (1971–1982) | ||
Atlético Español Fútbol Club, simplified asAtlético Español FC, was a Mexican professionalfootball club based inMexico City. From 1971 to 1982, it competed inPrimera División, the top division ofMexican football, and played its home matches at theEstadio Azteca.
Atlético Español was founded on September 19, 1971, when a group ofSpanish entrepreneurs / business people decided to buy the franchise of what was then known asNecaxa 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 teamReal Club España, with a similar name and kit to the predecessor. The team would immediately obtain the nicknameToros because in their badge was a bull next a football and the initials AE.[1]
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 wereClub de Fútbol Torreón,Irapuato FC andClub Veracruz, in the endIrapuato FC would be the team to be relegated. For the 1972–73 season Atlético Español would reach the semifinals againstClub León losing 5–4 in the third leg going all the way to penalties..
In 1973–74 they would reach the final against a strongCruz 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, becoming the runner-up of the league.
In 1975 Atlético Español would win their first and only international title in theCONCACAF Champions' Cup 1975, they played the final againstTransvaal ofSuriname defeating them 5–1 in aggregate.
In 1976 they disputed theCopa Interamericana againstClub Atlético Independiente ofArgentina. Both games were played inBuenos Aires and after an aggregate score of 2–2 penalties needed to take place,Español losing the shootout toIndependiente 4–2.
Season 1980–81Español would once again get into the liguilla getting 4th in group A led byCruz Azul, who would lose the final againstPumas de la UNAM. For the season of 1981–82 they would dispute their ultimate ligulla getting to the quarterfinals versusClub 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 networkTelevisa. On July 21, 1982, the name and colours reverted to that ofNecaxa, hoping to revive the tradition the team had left inMexico City.
These are the statistics of Atlético Español in thePrimera División de México:
| GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | DIF |
| 429 | 148 | 134 | 147 | 588 | 586 | 430 | 2 |
InCopa México:
| GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | DIF |
| 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 62 | 50 | 34 | 12 |
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning years | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top division | Primera División | 0 | – | 1973–74 |
| Type | Competition | Titles | Winning years | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IntercontinentalCONCACAF CONMEBOL | Copa Interamericana | 0 | – | 1976 |
 ContinentalCONCACAF | CONCACAF Champions Cup | 1 | 1975 | – |
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | CONCACAF Champions' Cup | Second round |  Monterrey | 1–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 |
| Semi-finals |  Saprissa | 2–1 | 2–1 | 4–2 | ||
| Final |  Transvaal | 2–1 | 3–0 | 5–1 | ||
| 1976 | Copa Interamericana | Final |  Independiente | 0–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 (2–4p) |
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