América Futebol Clube (SP)
América Futebol Clube (SP), also known as América de Rio Preto or simply América, is a Brazilian football team based in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo. Founded in 1946, it plays in Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão. It was named after America from Rio de Janeiro, even copying their team badge. History On January 28, 1946, at Hotel São Paulo, Antônio Tavares Pereira Lima, an Estrada de Ferro Araraquarense (EFA, Araraquara city Railroad) engineer, Vitor Buongermino and 53 local sportsmen and columnists of two local newspapers (A Folha de Rio Preto and A Notícia) founded the club to rival the city's only team at the time, Bancários. The club was named América Futebol Clube. The other suggested names were Dínamo and Flamengo. On March 17, 1946, América played its first match. América beat Ferroviária of Araraquara 3–1. América's first goal ever was scored by Quirino. América's starting eleven were Bob, Hugo and Edgar, De Lúcia, Quirino and Miguelzinho, Morgero, Dema, Pereira Lima, Fordinho and Birigui. Nelsinho substituted Pereira Lima during the match. In 1957, the club won its first title, the Campeonato Paulista Second Level, finishing ahead of São Bento. The club was promoted to the following year's first