Club Deportivo Águila, commonly known as Águila, is a Salvadoran professional football club based in San Miguel. The club currently competes in Primera División, the top tier of El Salvador football league system.[1]
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| Full name | Club Deportivo Águila | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Aguiluchos Emplumados La 50+1 Negronaranjas | ||
| Founded | 15 February 1926 | ||
| Ground | Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza | ||
| Capacity | 14,000 | ||
| President |  José Alexander Menjivar | ||
| Manager |  Daniel Messina | ||
| League | Primera División | ||
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Águila is one of the most successful clubs in El Salvador football history.[2] C.D. Águila have won seventeen Primera División championships, one Copa Presidente, and one CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1976. Their CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1976 win made them the second Salvadoran team to win a CONCACAF title.
Since 1956, Águila have played their home games at Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza. The stadium is one of the biggest stadiums in El Salvador.
Aguila is one of the most widely supported football clubs in El Salvador, and has long standing rivalry with neighbours Dragón, known as the San Miguel derby, and also competes with power club FAS, known as El Clásico (English: The Classic).[3]
History
editFoundation and early years
editClub Deportivo Águila was founded on 15 February 1926, in the City of San Miguel, by a group of young people.[4] The first club President was Victor Vanegas. The major goal of the club was first to establish a baseball team, and later develop football and basketball teams. At the beginning, baseball and football were not as successful as basketball with the team dominating in both El Salvador as in neighbouring countries.
In 1956, a group met in San Miguel and decided to form a football team named Club Deportivo Águila. Their first act was to meet with the president of Alacranes, Miguel Sagastizado, after sometime negotiating, they purchased their spot in Liga B and this was ratified by FESFUT on 21 August 1956. In the first season the club played under the name of CD A, this was due to another club in the division Águilas FC from Santa Tecla having a similar name. To attract big names players the clubs paid a minimum of 75 colones per month (US$8), which was above the average of their three biggest rivals (Dragon Rácing and Corona) paid their players per month, which was around 30 to 50 colones (US$3.40 – 5.70). This allowed them to signed players such as Juan Francisco Barraza, Esteban Blanco, Salvador Hernández, Fito Fuentes, Juan Merthem, Atilio Pineda, Honduran Manuel Larios, Saul Molina and Rodolfo Fuentes. This came at great cost professionally as FESFUT barred the players to play for the national team as no second division players were allowed to represent the national team. They hired Argentinian Agustin Noriega who previously coached Guatemalan club like Guatemala Deportiva. CD A first game was a 2–2 all draw with Titan, with Juan Antonio "Maquinita" Merlos scoring both goals, by the end of the season Juan Merlos was the team leading scorer with 16 goals.
During its time in the lower leagues, it fought for the affections of the San Miguel people alongside rival Dragón, but when they were promoted to the Liga, it attracted a following not only from San Miguel but also from the entire country. Proof of this was demonstrated by the fact that the teams sold more tickets when the local club played against Águila.
First titles
editAfter two years in the Liga B (Segunda Division), Aguila qualified to Championship/Promotional series against Atlético Constancia (Currently known as Alianza F.C. Aguila won the first game 2–0, thanks to a double from Juan Antonio Merlos, and after 0–0 draw in the second leg. Aguila were promoted to the first division for the first time in the club history. In their very first campaign, Under the tutelage of Conrado Miranda, Aguila won their first titles thank to combination of based players Juan Francisco Barraza, Juan Antonio Merlos and Saul Molina, and the incorporation of Costa Rican Fernando Jiménez. They became the first club to win a title after gaining promotion, only two other clubs have done that in the history of Primera Division (C.D. Platense Municipal Zacatecoluca and C.D. Vista Hermosa).
Titles
editC.D. Águila ranks second in the number of championships won in El Salvador with fifteen titles. The two most successful managers in the club history are Conrado Miranda (1959, 1975, 1976) and Argentinian Hugo Coria (Apertura 1999, Apertura 2000, Clausura 2001) with three titles each, Juan Francisco Barraza (1972, 1983) and Victor Manuel Ochoa (1963, 1964) with two titles each, while Honduran Carlos Padilla (1960), Brazilian Zózimo (1968), Chilean Hernán Carrasco Vivanco (1986) and Serbian-Salvadoran Vladan Vićević (Clausura 2006) won one title each. They were also winners of the Copa President in 2000 and won the CONCACAF Champions League.
The members of the team that conquered the first championship in 1959 were Luis Alberto López, Rodolfo Fuentes, Justiniano Jiménez, Manuel Larios, Raúl Vásquez, Raúl Bonilla, Raúl Lizano, Juan Francisco Barraza, Juan Antonio Merlos,[5] and Saúl Molina.[6]
Sponsorship
editCompanies that Águila currently has sponsorship deals with for 2024–2025 includes:
- Umbro – Official kit suppliers
- Tigo – Official sponsors
- Pepsi – Official sponsors
- Gatorade – Official sponsors
- Mister donut – Official sponsors
- Canal 4 – Official sponsors
- La Pampa El Volcan – Official sponsors
- Supamercado Costa del Sol – Official sponsors
- Las Perlitas – Official sponsors
- Acodjar – Official sponsors
Stadium
edit
- Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza (1956–Present)
- Estadio Cuscatlán; San Salvador (2012, 2016–2017) games in the CONCACAF Champions League and played in Clausura 2016 during Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza renovation.
- Estadio Flor Blanca; San Salvador (TBD) International games prior to the building of Estadio Cuscatlán
- Estadio Las Delicias; Santa Tecla (2023–Present) International games
Águila plays its home games at Estadio Juan Francisco Barraza located in San Miguel. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people.
Colours and crest
editSince the club foundation the clubs have always played in orange with black stripes shirt, black shorts and orange socks.
[7]
While the club alternative kit is Black with Orange stripes.
- Home
          2005–06
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    2007–08
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    2009
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     2010–11
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    2012–13
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   2014–15
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    2015
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   2024-Present
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- Away
    2015–
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Statistics and records
editTBD holds the record for most Águila appearances, having played TBD first-team matches from TBD to TBD. The record for Águila's most capped international player is Rudis Corrales with 77 caps (33 while at the club), Arnold Cruz of Honduras is Águila's most capped foreign international player with 55 caps.
Luis Ramírez Zapata is Águila's all-time top goalscorer, with 184 goals. other players have also scored over 100 goals for Águila: Hugo Coria and the previous goalscoring record-holder Félix Pineda (1971–1983).
Rivalries
editÁguila's biggest rivalries are with Alianza, Luis Ángel Firpo and FAS. Together, these teams form the "Big Four" of Salvadoran football, and are the primary title contenders each season.
The rivalry stems not only from their competitiveness, but from the economic, political, and cultural clashes between the cities of San Miguel, Santa Ana and San Salvador, where the other three clubs are based.
El Clásico
editOf those rivalries, Águila's rivalry with FAS is the strongest and most passionate. That rivalry is traditionally referred to as El Clásico. The first in the series took place on 17 May 1959, and ended in a 1–1 draw. The most recent match was a 2-2 draw on the 24th of September, 2023. The teams have played 255 matches in all competitions, Aguila winning 81, FAS 92, and the remaining 82 having been drawn.
El Derbi Migueleño
editThe rivalry between Aguila and Dragón due to the fact that both teams are based in San Miguel. [8]
The intense feelings between the two sides began early on due to the close proximity and the switching of players between the clubs. The biggest defection occurred in the 1950s when legendary players Juan Francisco Barraza and left the championship side of Dragon to Aguila and started a dynasty. The sole final played between the two teams ended 1–0 to Dragon. The most recent match was a 3-0 victory by Aguila on the 17 October, 2024. The teams have played 85 matches in all competitions, Aguila winning 50, Dragon 12, and the remaining 24 having been drawn. [1]
Honours
editÁguila is historically the third most successful team in El Salvador football, as they have won the second most championships. They are also one of El Salvador's most successful team in international competitions, having won one trophy. Águila is one of only three clubs to have won the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
Domestic honours
editLeagues
edit- Primera División Salvadorean and predecessors
- Champions (17) : 1959, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964, 1967–68, 1972, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1983, 1987–88, Apertura 1999, Apertura 2000, Clausura 2001, Clausura 2006, Clausura 2012, Clausura 2019, Apertura 2023
- Segunda División Salvadorean and predecessors
- Champions (1) : 1958
- Tercera División Salvadorean and predecessors
- Champions (1) : 1950
Cups
edit- Copa President and predecessors
- Champions (1) : 1999–2000
- Campeón de Campeones
- Winners (1): 2018–2019
- Supacopa de Campeones
- Winners (1): 2024 [9]
CONCACAF
edit- CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Champions (1) : 1976
- UNCAF Interclub Cup
- Runners up (1) : 1973
Current squad
editUpdated 5 September 2024 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Players with dual citizenship
edit
Victor Rafael Garcia
Tomás Granitto
Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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In
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Personnel
editCoaching staff
editAs of October 2024
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | Daniel Messina (*)
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| Assistant Managers |  Miguel Gonzalez (*)
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| Reserve Manager | Roberto Melgar (*)
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| Under 17 Manager | Luis Ramírez Zapata (*)
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| Ladies Manager | Amilcar Guzman (*)
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| Fitness Coach | Julio Gimenez (*)
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| Goalkeeper Coach | Sergio Munoz (*)
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| Sport Director | Cristian Domizzi (*)
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| Team Doctor | Dr. Pedro Grande (*)
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| General Physician | Dr. Salvador Beltrán
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| Knesliogiocal | Dr. Moises Gomez (*)
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| Utility | Roric Sigaran and Marvin Sanchez (*)
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| Sub-Utility | Ricardo Morreira
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| Sub-Utility | Franklin Villatoro
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Management
editAs of January 2022
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Owner | Empresario Salume Grupo
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| President | Alejandro Gonzalez
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| Vice President | Carlos Escobar
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| Secretary | Jose Victorino Villatoro
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| Treasurer | Harold David Hernandez
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| First Speaker | Carlos Arturo Espinoza
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| Second Speaker | Jorge Salguero
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| managing director | José Argueta
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| Executive Manager | Miguel Chahin
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| Press Manager | Óskar Cruz
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| Manager of the academy | Roberto Montoya
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| Scout Manager |
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Presidential history
editAguila 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.
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Notable players
editWorld Cup winners
editPlayers that have played for Águila in their career and won a World Cup:
South American Championship runners-up
editPlayers that have played for Águila in their career and finished up as runners-up South American Championship:
World Cup players
editPlayers that have played for Águila in their career and played in a World Cup:
Zózimo- Mario Castillo
- Luis Guevara Mora
- José Francisco Jovel
- Juan Ramón Martínez
- Sergio Méndez
- Saturnino Osorio
- Joaquín Ventura
- Luis Ramírez Zapata
Ramón Maradiaga
Team captains
edit| Name | Years |
|---|---|
| Juan Francisco Barraza
|
1963–1964 |
| Sergio Méndez
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1965 |
| Jorge Bucaro
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1968-1969 |
| Luis Rivas
|
1973–1975, 1977-1978 |
 David Pinho
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1976 |
| Francisco Jovel Cruz
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1979–1980 |
| Félix Pineda
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1983 |
| Luis Ramírez Zapata
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1984 |
| Mario Castillo
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1986–1987 |
 Ramón Maradiaga
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1988 |
| Amadeo Machado
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1990 |
| Pedro Mayen
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1991 |
| Hugo Coria
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1991–1992 |
| Wilfredo Figueroa
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1994–1999 |
| Mario Mayén Meza
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1999–2000 |
| José Alexander Amaya
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2001–2004 |
| Jorge Humberto Rodriguez
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2005–2006 |
| Fabio Ulloa
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2006–2007 |
| Victor Velasquez
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2008 |
 Hermes Martinez Misal
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2009 |
| William Torres Alegria
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2010 |
| Luis Anaya
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2011–2012 |
| Deris Umanzor
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2013–2016 |
| Henry Romero
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2016–2017 |
| Deris Umanzor
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2017 |
| Benji Villalobos
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2018–2019 |
| Andrés Quejada
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2019–2021 |
| Fredy Espinoza
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2021 |
| Benji Villalobos
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2022 |
| Gerson Mayen
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2023–2024 |
| Darwin Ceren
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2024–present |
Head coaches
editAguila has had various coaches since its formation in 1956. In 1956, Argentinian Gregorio Bundio Núñez became the club's first full-time head coach. Conrado Miranda is the club's most successful coach, having won three Primera División titles, and one CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1976, followed closely by Hugo Coria who won two primera titles, and won Copa Presidente 1999–2000, and Victor Manuel Ochoa who won two titles as well. Hugo Coria has served five terms as head coach.
Kit makers
edit| Years | Kit manufacturers |
|---|---|
| 1956–1980 | Nil shirt Maker |
| 1985–1987 |  Pony
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| 1987–1992 | Nil Shirt Sponsor |
| 1997 | AVIVA
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| 1998-1999 |  Garcis
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| 2000 |  Joma
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| 2001–02 | Galaxia
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| 2003–04 |  Umbro
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| 2004–2005 | AVIVA
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| 2004–07 |  Diadora
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| 2007–09 | Joma
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| 2010 | Nike
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| 2011–12 | Galaxia
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| 2013 | Diadora
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| 2014–2018 | Joma
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| 2018–2019 | Maca
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| 2019–Present | Umbro
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Other departments
editFootball
editReserve team
editThe reserve team serves mainly as the final stepping stone for promising young players under the age of 21 before being promoted to the main team. The second team is coached by Roberto Melgar. the team played in the Primera División Reserves, their greatest successes were winning the Reserve championships in Apertura 2001, Apertura 2005, Apertura 2007, Clausura 2017, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2019, Apertura 2023.
Águila's youth squad plays in the ten-team Primera División Reserves (El Salvador). Current members of the squad are: As of October 2024 Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| Years | Coach Name |
|---|---|
| TBD–TBD | TBD
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| TBD–TBD | TBD
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| 2013 | Omar Sevilla
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| 2014 | Alvaro Misael Alfaro
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| 2015-2017 | Marvin "la Perica" Benítez
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| 2019 | Santos Rivera
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| 2020–2021 | Kilmar Martinez
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| 2021-2024 | Eduardo Castillo
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| 2024–Present | Roberto Melgar
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Junior teams
editThe youth team (under 17 and under 15) has produced some of El Salvador's top football players, including TBD and TBD. The Under 17 finished 3rd place at the 2018 UNCAF U-17 Interclub Cup, the highest finish internationally done by a Salvadoran team in that age range.[11]
| Years | Coach Name |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Eraldo Correia
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| 2018-2019 | Kílmar Jiménez
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| TBD–TBD | TBD
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| 2023–2024 | Amilcar Guzman
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| 2024–Present | Luis Ramírez Zapata
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Women's team
editThe women's first team, which is led by head coach Amilcar Guzman, features several members of the El Salvador national ladies team. Their greatest successes were reaching the semi-finals the in Apertura 2020.
| Years | Coach Name |
|---|---|
| TBD–TBD | TBD
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| 2019-2020 | Walter Moreno
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| 2022-2024 | José de la Paz Portillo
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| 2024–Present | Amilcar Guzman
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Other sports
editAguila has other departments for a variety of sports.
Basketball
editAguila Básquetbol Club or Águila BC for short was founded on TBD and play Liga Mayor de Baloncesto (LMB) which is the highest level in El Salvador league tier. the club is led by head coach Argentinian Pablo Epeloa, the club features several key members including American Marquise Mosley and TBD. Their greatest successes were winning the 2015 Apertura and the Clausura 2022. [2]
They currently play the Cancha Alvarez y Biblioteca e Infocentro Municipal, San Miguel. Previous coach: Roberto Carrillo Notable players:
2020s
Pablo Rivas
Marquise Mosley
2010s
Osmel Oliva
Michael Jackson
Baseball
editAguila Béisbol Club was founded in 2016 and play Liga Nacional de Béisbol (LNB) which is the highest level in El Salvador league tier. the club is led by head coach Venezuelan Jesús Cartagena, the club features several key members including Puerto Rican Bryan Vásquez and TBD. Their greatest successes was TBD
Volleyball
editAguila Voleibol Club was founded in 2016 and play Campeonaro Nacional which is the highest level in El Salvador league tier. the club is led by head coach TBD, the club features several key members including TBD and TBD. Their greatest successes were reaching the TBD.
References
edit- ^ Raúl Recinos (25 June 2017). "Águila comenzará su pretemporada con un cuadro tranquilo". Elsalvador.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ "Águila confirma amistoso ante Olimpia de Honduras | El Gráfico". Elgrafico.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ "Salvadoreños lucen los colores del Águila en el Camp Nou | El Gráfico". Elgrafico.com. 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ ".:. Club Deportivo Águila .:. Historia". Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
- ^ Juan Antonio Merlos (3 December 1941). "Juan Antonio Merlos : Juan Antonio Merlos Cabrera". Ceroacero.es. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ Saúl Molina (14 March 1938). "Saúl Molina : Saúl Victorino Molina". Ceroacero.es. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ "aguilaonline: CAMISETAS". Aguilaonline.blogspot.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
- ^ "Aguila contra Dragon una batalla de altura" [Aguila against Dragon a battle of the top]. elsalvador.com (in Spanish). elsalvador.com. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Águila se lleva la Supercopa al vencer en penaltis al Alianza".
- ^ "Un campeón del mundo que jugó en Águila" [A world champion that played in Aguila]. laprensagrafica.com (in Spanish). laprensagrafica.com. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Águila finaliza tercero en el torneo Interclubes sub 17".
External links
edit- Official website (in Spanish)
- Official Foundation website (in Spanish)
- Fan website (in Spanish)
- El Nido Aguilucho Fan website (in Spanish)
- At El Grafico[permanent dead link]