Real España
Full nameReal Club Deportivo España
Nickname(s)Los Aurinegros (The Gold and Blacks)
La Máquina (The Machine)
Los Catedráticos (The Professors)
La Realeza (The Royalty)
Los Carboneros (The Coalmen)
La Academia (The Academic)
Founded14 July 1929 (1929-07-14)
GroundEstadio General Francisco Morazán,
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Capacity20,000
PresidentElias Burbara
ManagerJosé Valladares
LeagueLiga Nacional
Apertura 20211st
(Runners-up)
WebsiteClub website

Real Club Deportivo España, Real España, or simply España is a Honduran professional football club, which plays in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras. With 12 championships, Real España is one of the most accomplished Honduran football clubs. As such, it is recognized regionally, beyond Honduras' borders. Their title of 'Real' (Spanish for 'Royal') was awarded by King Juan Carlos I of Spain in 1977.

They are based in San Pedro Sula, Cortés, and their home venue is the Estadio General Francisco Morazán.

History

Real España was founded on 14 July 1929 at Escuela Ramón Rosa, de San Pedro Sula by Pastor Reyes, Juan Banegas, "Teco" Lardizábal, Hugo Escoto Soto, and Leonardo Muñoz as Club Deportivo España.[1]

Their professional history begins in 1965–66, with the founding of the Honduran national league. For most of the league's first decade, Los Aurinegros were a mid-table side. However, in the early 1970s, things began to change. The team was anchored by defender Jaime Villegas, who would play for Real España from 1970 to 1986, and make a club record 306 appearances. In 1974, the addition of two new faces, keeper Julio César Arzú and striker Jimmy James Bailey, turned the team into title contenders for the first time. The team finished third in the regular season's table, which was good enough to qualify them for a quadrangular tournament, a round robin with the league's top four teams. Real España won this phase, forcing a championship playoff with regular season champions Motagua. Antonio Pavón Molina scored the lone goal of their 1–0 victory, making Los Aurinegros champions of Honduras for the very first time.

In 1975, la Máquina got even stronger. They added a defensive midfielder named Gilberto Yearwood, who would eventually be considered one of the greatest Honduran players of all time. On the pitch, they enjoyed similar results, finishing third in the regular table, winning the quadrangular playoff, and earning a championship playoff with Olimpia. The teams drew the first leg 0–0, but Real España won the second leg 2–0, with goals from Alberto Ferreira da Silva and Gilberto Yearwood.

1976 saw the club achieved greater success. They won the regular season championship with 38 points (15 wins in 27 matches) and only narrowly finished second to Motagua in the quadrangular (had they won, there would have been no need for a championship playoff). In the resulting playoff, the teams drew 0–0 in the first leg, played at Motagua's stadium in Tegucigalpa. Back in San Pedro Sula, the story was different. Real España dominated, winning the match 4–1 and clinching their third straight championship. It was known as "el tricampeon", and it was the first such accomplishment in the history of Honduran soccer (it would not be equalled until Olimpia managed it in the late 1990s).

After this, international attention was descending on the club for the first time. Yearwood, who had starred in the 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship for Honduras, moved abroad and would spend ten years playing in Spain's La Liga. King Juan Carlos I of Spain bestowed the Real title on the club the following summer. Things were looking up.

In 1977, the club set out in search of an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. They finished third in the regular season and won the quadrangular, only to bow 2–0 to Olimpia in the championship playoff. They reached the championship round again in 1978–79, but were once again defeated, this time by Motagua. Then, in 1979, disaster. Real España's form collapsed and they plummeted to 8th in the league. Worse, crosstown rivals Marathón won the championship.

They set out to redeem this in 1980, winning the regular season championship with 14 wins in 27 matches. In the pentagonal round robin, though, things became complex—Olimpia, Marathón, and Real España were all tied at the top of the table, forcing a second round-robin between those three. Real España had the chance to win the championship then and there, but after every match ended in a draw, the pentagonal title was awarded to Marathón on goal difference. That set up an all-San Pedro Sula championship match.

The teams split the first two legs, forcing a decisive third playoff match. With all of San Pedro Sula watching in anticipation, Real brought home their fourth title by a 2–1 scoreline. This was the end of Real's golden era. Their glory side was beginning to age, and Olimpia was ascending to the dominant heights of Honduran football. It was not until the late 1980s that a revival would begin.

After near misses in 1986 and 1987, Real reclaimed their glory in 1988 by winning the regular season championship and then beating Olimpia in an extra time playoff final to claim their fifth title. 1989–90 saw the two teams meet again in the championship final, which ended level; Olimpia was awarded the crown on the basis of a superior regular season record. Real, however, was not finished—they came right back by beating Motagua 2–1 to win the 1990–91 championship. Rodolfo Richardson Smith was the hero, scoring a double in the second leg of the finals. La máquina only narrowly missed a second consecutive crown when they bowed to Motagua in the 1991–92 title match.

Two years later, in 1993–94, Real España hoisted their seventh championship in the most dominant style of all, by winning both the regular season and triangular playoff. No championship match was necessary in this most impressive season; out of 31 domestic matches, la maquina had lost just once. The leader of the charge that season was Carlos Pavón, an 18-year-old striker who was attracting all sorts of international attention. Pavón would leave after the season to spend a decade abroad, playing in Mexico and Italy. Real, meanwhile, entered a decade long title drought.

Their return to glory came in Apertura 2003, under the managerial leadership of Juan de Dios Castillo. Castillo had built his team around two Brazilian strikers, Pedrinho and Luciano Emilio, and it was successful. Luciano Emilio won the league scoring title, and each scored in the championship final, which saw Real España defeat Olimpia 4–2 on aggregate.

However, the glory was fleeting. Diaz Castillo left for Marathon, while Olimpia signed Luciano Emilio and used his talents to win four out of the next five titles. Those were frustrating times, as Real missed the championship playoffs four tournaments in a row. It was not until Clausura 2007 that the club returned to form.

Under Mexican manager José Treviño, the club won the regular season title and advanced to the playoffs. Treviño had a strong team--Carlos Pavón had returned from Europe, and was joined at striker by Milton Núñez and the Brazilian Esvaldo Ferreira. A victory over Motagua earned them a berth in the finals against crosstown rivals Marathon. Marathon won the first leg, 2–1, which set up a dramatic championship showdown. With just thirteen minutes left in the last leg, the teams were level, 1–1, which would have given Marathon a win on aggregate. However, Milton Núñez scored a brilliant goal to even the tie, then used his perfect aerial pass to set up Ferreira for the winning goal. Real España were champions of Honduras for the ninth time.

The club finished runners up in both Apertura 2008 and Clausura 2009, but returned to the top in dramatic style in Apertura 2010. A double from attacking midfielder Luis Lobo lifted the club to a semi-final win over Marathon, and in the finals they defeated Olimpia in extra time. They won it again in Apertura 2013, beating Real Sociedad on penalties, and then again in Apertura 2017, holding off Motagua in extra time.

Colors and badge

España's colours are black and yellow, a fact reflected in the club's nickname: Aurinegros (a compound word meaning gold and black). The club logo was changed in 2006 to give a younger, more fresh look. The club mascot has changed many times. It has been a yellow and black owl, a train, and most recently a robot. The crown symbolizes the "royal status" granted to the club by the King of Spain. This is noticeable in other clubs such as Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Real Betis, Real Murcia, Real Valladolid and Real Zaragoza.

Joma is the team's official sportswear manufacturer.

Stadium

Real España plays their home matches at the Estadio Francisco Morazán. It has been Real España's home stadium since its creation. In 2008 Real España played all their home games at the Estadio Olímpico due to the Estadio Morazán's renewal.

Club rivalries

Clásico Moderno (Honduras)

El Clásico Moderno (The Modern Derby) also referred by some as the Clasico Moderno Hondureño is a Honduran football match played at least four times a year in the Liga Nacional de Honduras and consists of two teams, C.D. Olimpia and Real C.D. España.

Clásico Sampedrano

El Clásico Sampedrano (The Sampedran Derby) is a Honduran football match played at least four times a year in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras and consists of two teams, Marathón and Real España. These two teams are from San Pedro Sula, hence the name. Marathon has run away numerous times. Including from a 6-1 defeat at Estadio Yankel Mierdero.

Motagua–Real España football rivalry

The Motagua–Real España classic is not as fierce as the other two already mentioned as these both teams have a good relationship with each other from the players, to the board and the fans; however they had played six intense league finals, three won by each side.

Achievements

Domestic

1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1988, 1990, 1993, Apertura 2003, Clausura 2007, Apertura 2010, Apertura 2013, Apertura 2017.
Runner-up (10): 1977, 1978, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1995, Apertura 1997, 1998–99, Apertura 2007, Apertura 2008, Apertura 2011 Clausura 2013 Apertura 2018
1972, 1992.

International

Champion (2):1981, 1982
Runner-up (1): 1979
Third-place (2): 1998, 2000
Runner-up (1): 1993.
Champion (1): 2019.

Individual club achievements

  • First "Tri-Campeón" (three time consecutive winner) (1974), (1975), (1976)
  • Five Consecutive Honduran finals (1974), (1975), (1976), (1977), (1978)

Player records

League and Playoffs Performance

(1994–present)

Season Position GP W D L GF GA PTS Play-offs
1993–941st2714121 ? ?40Champions
1994–953rd271098272339Second round
1995–966th27999323336Runners-up
1996–976th278109242434Second round
1997–98 Apertura5th20884302632Semi-finals
1997–98 Clausura8th20587242623did not qualify
1999 Apertura4th185112241826Runners-up
1999–00 Apertura9th18459132117did not qualify
1999–00 Clausura8th18378142216did not qualify
2000–01 Apertura4th18666212424Semi-finals
2000–01 Clausura4th18648272922Semi-finals
2001–02 Apertura5th18594211524did not qualify
2001–02 Clausura5th18585161523did not qualify
2002–03 Apertura4th18684251826Semi-finals
2002–03 Clausura3rd18963251533Semi-finals
2003–04 Apertura2nd181053362335Champions
2003–04 Clausura4th16736282524Semi-finals
2004–05 Apertura3rd18945231231Semi-finals
2004–05 Clausura4th17575191822Semi-finals
2005–06 Apertura6th18657232323did not qualify.
2005–06 Clausura6th18585151723did not qualify.'
2006–07 Apertura7th18567182021did not qualify.
2006–07 Clausura1st181143271036Champions
2007–08 Apertura6th18648222522did not qualify
2007–08 Clausura3rd18846262228Semi-finals
2008–09 Apertura1st181152351738Runners-up
2008–09 Clausura3rd18864201230Runners-up
2009–10 Apertura4th18936262030Semi-finals
2010–11 Apertura3rd18774281828Champions
2010–11 Clausura5th18675252525did not qualify
2011–12 Apertura1st18972251334Runners-up
2011–12 Clausura5th18747282625Semi-finals
2012–13 Apertura6th18567212221Quarter-finals
2012–13 Clausura8th18576182222did not qualify

All-Time Table

  • As of 13 September 2008
# G W D L F A +/-
3 1409 539 489 381 1713 1352 +361

36 Game Average

Points Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
53 13 13 10 43 34 +9

International competition

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

First Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – 1:4, 2:0 (Saprissa advance 4:3 on aggregate)
First Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 0:0, 0:1 (Olimpia advance 1:0 on aggregate)
Third Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – (Real España withdrew)
First Round v. Mexico Cruz Azul – 2:1, 0:3 (Cruz Azul advance 4:2 on aggregate)
First Round v. Belize Real Verdes – 2:0, 6:1 (Real España advance 8:1 on aggregate)
Second Round v. Guatemala Aurora F.C. – 1:0
Second Round v. El Salvador Alianza FC – 2:1
Second Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – 1:3
Third Round v. Costa Rica CS Herediano – 2:3
Third Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 0:1
Third Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – 1:2
First Round v. Guatemala Aurora F.C. – 1:1
First Round v. Costa Rica CS Cartaginés – 1:0
First Round v. El Salvador Firpo – 0:0
Second Round v. Costa Rica CS Herediano – 1:3
Second Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 0:3
Second Round v. Costa Rica CS Cartaginés – 2:0
First Round v. Nicaragua Diriangén FC – 5:1, 2:0 (Real España advance 7:1 on aggregate)
Second Round v. Guatemala CSD Municipal – 2:1, 1:0 (Real España advance 3:1 on aggregate)
Third Round v. El Salvador Firpo – 0:3
Third Round v. El Salvador Firpo – 1:1
Third Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 4:1
Third Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 0:1
First Round v. Belize Acros Real Verdes – 5:0, 1:0 (Real España advance 6:0 on aggregate)
Second Round v. El Salvador Alianza FC – 1:0, 1:1 (Real España advance 2:1 on aggregate)
Third Round v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 2:0, 1:0 (Real España advance 3:0 on aggregate)
Final Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – 2:1, 2:0 (Real España advance 4:1 on aggregate)
Semi-finals v. Trinidad and Tobago Police FC – 0:0, 0:1 (Police advance 1:0 on aggregate)
First Round v. El Salvador Águila – 0:0, 3:1 (Real España advance 3:1 on aggregate)
Third Round v. United States San Francisco Bay Blackhawks – 0:3, 0:3 (San Francisco Bay Blackhawks advance 6:0 on aggregate)
First Round v. Belize Acros Real Verdes – 2:1, 3:0 (Real España advance 5:1 on aggregate)
Second Round v. Mexico Club León – 0:0, 0:4 (León advance 4:0 on aggregate)
First Round v. Mexico Santos Laguna – 1:1, 2:6 (Santos Laguna advance 7:3 on aggregate)
First Round v. Belize Juventus – 1:0, 1:4 (Juventus advance 4:2 on aggregate)
Quarter-Finals v. United States Los Angeles Galaxy – 0:0 (Los Angeles Galaxy advance 5:3 on penalties)

Copa Fraternidad

Group 2 v. Honduras CD Broncos – 1:2
Group 2 v. Guatemala Cobán Imperial – 3:2
Group 2 v. Guatemala CSD Comunicaciones – 3:2
Group 2 v. El Salvador Atlético Marte – 5:3
Group 2 v. El Salvador FAS – 5:3
Group 2 v. Honduras CD Broncos – 1:0
Group 2 v. Guatemala Cobán Imperial – 2:1
Group 2 v. Guatemala CSD Comunicaciones – 1:1
Group 2 v. El Salvador Atlético Marte – 1:1
Group 2 v. El Salvador FAS – 1:0
Final v. Guatemala Aurora F.C. – 0:1, 0:0 (Aurora wins 1:0 on aggregate)
First Round v. El Salvador Alianza FC – 1:0, 1:0 (Real España advance 2:0 on aggregate)
Second Round v. Guatemala CD Suchitepéquez – 1:0, 2:1 (Real España advance 3:1 on aggregate)
First Round v. Guatemala CSD Comunicaciones – 1:2, 2:0 (Real España advance 3:2 on aggregate)
Second Round v. El Salvador FAS – 3:0, 0:1 (Real España advance 3:1 on aggregate)
Final v. Guatemala Xelajú MC – 2:1, 0:0 (Real España wins 2:1 on aggregate)

UNCAF Interclub Cup

First Round v. Nicaragua Real Estelí – 2:1
First Round v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 0:1
First Round v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 1:1
First Round v. Nicaragua Real Estelí – 8:0
Second Round v. Panama Árabe Unido – 2:1
Second Round v. Guatemala CSD Comunicaciones – 2:1
Second Round v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 0:1
Final Round v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 1:1
Final Round v. Honduras CD Olimpia – 0:2
Final Round v. Guatemala CSD Municipal – 3:2
First Round v. Nicaragua Real Estelí – 1:1, 3:3 (Real Estelí advance on away goals rule)
First Round v. Belize Revolutionary Conquerors – 2:1, 1:2 (Real España advance 4:2 on penalties)
Quarter-Finals v. Costa Rica LD Alajuelense – 0:0, 2:2 (Alajuelense advance 5:4 on penalties)

Players

As of 24 September 2022[7]

Current squad

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Honduras HON Michael Perelló
2 DF Honduras HON Getsel Montes
4 MF Honduras HON Mayron Flores
5 DF Honduras HON Franklin Flores
6 MF Honduras HON Devron García
7 MF Honduras HON José Reyes
8 MF Honduras HON Luis Garrido
10 MF Honduras HON Jhow Benavídez
11 FW Honduras HON Darixon Vuelto
12 FW Honduras HON Yeison Mejía
15 FW Honduras HON Júnior Lacayo
16 FW Belize BLZ Carlos Bernárdez
17 FW Paraguay PAR Pedro Báez
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW Argentina ARG Ramiro Rocca
21 DF Honduras HON Kevin Álvarez (on loan from IFK Norrköping)
22 GK Honduras HON Luis López (Captain)
23 FW Honduras HON Arnold Barahona
24 DF Honduras HON Carlos Mejía
25 MF Honduras HON Maikel García
26 FW Honduras HON Marco Aceituno
27 MF Honduras HON Gerson Chávez
29 DF Honduras HON Wisdom Quaye
42 DF Costa Rica CRC Heyreel Saravia
51 GK Honduras HON Bryan Ramos
— FW Mexico MEX Óscar Villa

Reserve team

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
31 MF Honduras HON Daniel Meléndez
37 MF Honduras HON Mayson Velásquez
39 FW Honduras HON Exon Arzú
42 FW Honduras HON Joan Lara
47 DF Honduras HON Félix Mejía
48 DF Honduras HON Aaron Zúniga
No. Pos. Nation Player
50 MF Honduras HON Júnior García
52 DF Honduras HON Jefferson Flores
57 MF Honduras HON Carlos Tejeda
59 MF Honduras HON Miguel Carrasco
62 MF Honduras HON Enzo Torres

Managers

References

  1. ↑ "Por otra alegría" (in Spanish). Diario La Prensa. 2007-08-10. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  2. ↑ (in Spanish)
  3. ↑ Desafíe a Ismael – La Prensa (in Spanish)
  4. ↑ (in Spanish)
  5. ↑ Desafíe a Ismael Archived 2013-10-02 at the Wayback Machine – La Prensa (in Spanish)
  6. ↑ Desafíe a Ismael – La Prensa (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ "Plantilla 2020". Real C.D. España. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  8. ↑ El argentino Mario Zanabria será el nuevo entrenador del campeón Real España – Soitu (in Spanish)
  9. ↑ Ramón "Primitivo" Maradiaga nuevo entrenador del Real España – Proceso Digital (in Spanish)
  10. ↑ Mario Zanabria se va del Real España – Diez (in Spanish)
  11. ↑ Inicia la era Chelato Uclés en Real España – Diez (in Spanish)
  12. ↑ Nahún Espinoza dirigirá al Real España – El Heraldo (in Spanish)
  13. ↑ Pepe Treviño es nuevo técnico del Real España – El Heraldo (in Spanish)
  14. ↑ Costarricense Hernán Medford nuevo entrenador del Real España de Honduras – Prensa Libre (in Spanish)


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