América Futebol Clube, commonly referred to as América de Natal, is a Brazilian professional club based in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte founded on 14 July 1915. It competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, the third tier of Brazilian football, as well as in the Campeonato Potiguar, the top flight of the Rio Grande do Norte state football league. América won Campeonato do Nordeste (Brazilian Northeast Championship) in 1998, defeating Esporte Clube Vitória by a 3-1 score in the final match. It is the only Football Team in Rio Grande do Norte to obtain titles outside the state as in 1973, became the undefeated winner of Taça Almir de Albuquerque, which involved teams from North-Northeast of Brazil and is the only club from Rio Grande do Norte to participate in an international championship, the Copa Conmebol in 1998. América's greatest rival is ABC, also from Natal. América is the second-best ranked team from Rio Grande do Norte in CBF's national club ranking, at 61st overall. History The team was founded on July 14, 1915. The first official match played in the state of Rio Grande do Norte was América 3-0 ABC, on June 22, 1919 valid for the first , organized at that time by the Liga de Desportos Terrestres. The club's first title came in 1919. The club won the , defeating Centro Esportivo Natalense and ABC, becoming the first Campeonato Potiguar champions. On November 7, 1928, through Law 707 the club was the first to be recognized as a State Public Utility instrument. América had been licensed team of the (FNF) for 5 years, between 1960 and 1965, thus the team did not participate in official competitions. Instead, the team committed to the construction of its official ground at Rodrigues Alves Avenue, bourough of Tirol, Natal. In 1973, América won the Torneio Norte-Nordeste. In 1974 América was crowned undefeated state champions, playing 20 matches with 12 wins and 8 ties. Between 1987 and 1992, América won 5 state championships, only losing in 1990. In 1996, the team from Rio Grande do Norte was runner-up of the Brazilian Championship Second Division and became eligible to participate in the First Division in the following year. In its return to the main division, América ended in 16th place, ahead of other powerful teams, such as Corinthians and Fluminense. In 1998, however, the club failed to remain in the First Division.