C.D. Guadalajara

• 1. Founding And Early Identity

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  In 1906, a Belgian engineer named Edgar Everaert arrived in the city of Guadalajara and founded Unión Football Club. The new team drew its first players from employees at the Fábricas de Francia store, creating a camaraderie among different nationalities. Their inaugural match took place against Gimnasio Atlético Occidental, with Rafael Orozco serving as coach for that specific game. The Orozco family became early benefactors, allowing their home to serve as the club's first clubhouse. Sabino Orozco reportedly suggested the name Unión, while his brother Gregorio later claimed credit for renaming the organization. In 1908, Everaert returned from a European tour where he observed that teams named after cities generated stronger local support. He shared these observations with the Orozco brothers during a meeting held at Nicolasa Sáinz's house. The group decided to rename the club Club Deportivo Guadalajara without Everaert or any European members present. This decision aimed to engender loyalty within the city's population by adopting a Mexican identity. The club won the inaugural Liga Occidente tournament in the 1908-09 season and secured three of the first six titles available.

• 2. The Campeonísimo Dynasty

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  During the 1956 season, Salvador Reyes scored a last-minute header to secure Guadalajara's first championship title. That squad included Jaime Gomez, Arturo Chaires, Juan Jasso, Isidoro Díaz, Guillermo Sepúlveda, and José Villegas. They formed what is now considered one of the finest teams in Mexican football history, known as El Campeonísimo. Under coaches Donaldo Ross and Javier de la Torre, the team won seven league championships between 1956 and 1970. They achieved an unprecedented four consecutive league titles from 1958-59 through 1961-62. In 1964, the team traveled to Europe to play against FC Barcelona, Werder Bremen, and Lille Olympique. Their international record during that tour included two victories, four draws, and four losses. The dynasty also produced two CONCACAF titles and seven Champion of Champions awards. Salvador Reyes remains the all-time top scorer for the club with 132 goals. His jersey number eight was retired by the club in January 2013. The team finished runner-up in the 1954-55 season after losing the title to Zacatepec by just two points.

• 3. Ownership Transitions And Financial Struggles

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  By the end of the 1980s, Guadalajara began experiencing severe financial troubles that threatened its stability. Directors created a special financial sector called La Promotora Deportiva to manage operations. In 1992, they sold the team for ten years to petroleum executive Salvador Martínez Garza. The arrangement ended when the Promotora remained in debt and put the club up for sale again. On the 31st of October 2002, Jorge Vergara acquired the team. He founded Grupo Omnilife, a multi-level marketing company based in Guadalajara. Vergara removed all traditional sponsorship from the jersey and instead placed the Chivas name on products ranging from toothbrushes to cola drinks. He invested 130 million dollars to construct Estadio Akron, which opened on the 30th of July 2010. The stadium seats are red except for white loge seats, with a total capacity of 49,850 spectators. Construction began in May 2007 and concluded in July 2010. Vergara died of cardiac arrest at age 64 on the 15th of November 2019. His son Amaury Vergara inherited the presidency of the club immediately after his death.

• 4. Unique Transfer Policy And Nationalism

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  The decision to sign only Mexican-born players became official in 1943 just before the start of the inaugural Liga Mayor season. Club president Ignacio López stated that the club would win or die based on the talent and effort of eleven Mexican players. This policy excluded naturalized players entirely, distinguishing Guadalajara from rivals like Asturias and Real España who relied heavily on foreign talent. The last foreign player to play for the club was Frenchman Enrique Pellat during the 1926-27 season. Over time, the club slowly softened restrictions by signing Mexican Americans such as Miguel Ángel Ponce and Isaác Brizuela. Brian Gutiérrez declared interest in switching to El Tri less than a month before Guadalajara finalized a deal to sign him from Chicago Fire in November 2025. Controversy arose when Santiago Ormeño signed in 2022 despite representing Peru since 2021. The club's ideology connects directly to Mexican nationalism and has been praised for promoting local Tapatío talent while also facing criticism regarding discrimination against dual nationals. The focus remains primarily on young talent from the state of Jalisco rather than importing players equally from all parts of Mexico.

• 5. Stadium Evolution And Rivalries

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  From the 1930s until 1960, Guadalajara played at Parque Oblatos, which had an official seating capacity of only 10,000 spectators. Derby matches often drew actual attendances exceeding 15,000 people, creating severe overcrowding issues. In 1954, Chivas, Atlas, and Oro formed Clubes Unidos de Jalisco to build a new stadium. Estadio Jalisco opened on the 31st of January 1960 and hosted eight games during the 1970 FIFA World Cup. The venue later hosted nine games during the 1986 FIFA World Cup including quarterfinals and semifinals. Chivas shared this facility with rivals Atlas until moving to their own home field in 2010. Their most intense rivalry is El Súper Clásico against Club América, featuring meetings that occur at least twice annually. The first confrontation ended with a 3-0 victory for Guadalajara before América defeated them 7-2 in the second match. Brawls erupted between fans in 1983 and 1986, raising excitement levels significantly. The Clásico Tapatío against Club Atlas dates back to 1916 as the oldest derby in Mexican football history. Supporters historically called Atlas players Margaritas while rival fans mocked Chivas as Crazy Goats.

• 6. Modern Resurgence And Recent Decline

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  On the 18th of September 2015, Matías Almeyda was officially presented as manager with a promise to awaken the giant. He won his first four matches consecutively, including a 2-1 victory over América on the 26th of September 2015. Under his leadership, the club won five trophies within three years, including a double in Clausura 2017. They secured their fourth Copa MX title by defeating Monarcas Morelia via penalty shoot-out on the 19th of April 2017. The team also won the CONCACAF Champions League final against Toronto FC on the 25th of April 2018 after a 4-2 penalty shootout win. However, instability returned quickly when José Cardozo left citing differences with an executive on the 11th of June 2018. Ricardo Peláez served as sporting director from the 26th of November 2019 until the 28th of February 2024. Fernando Hierro announced his departure as sporting director on the 29th of May 2024 to join Al-Nassr. Veljko Paunović officially left the club on the 15th of December 2023 after leading Chivas to a top-three finish in Clausura 2023. Óscar García Junyent received a three-match ban for kicking James Rodríguez during a match against León on the 30th of January 2025. Gabriel Milito was appointed manager on the 26th of May 2025, bringing new signings like Richard Ledezma and Diego Campillo.