Sao Caetano

Associacao Desportiva Sao Caetano, commonly referred to as Sao Caetano, is a professional association football club based in Sao Caetano do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil. They currently compete in Campeonato Paulista, the top tier of the Sao Paulo state football league.

The club finished as runner-up in the Serie A twice and once in the Copa Libertadores.

History

Founded in 1989, the club found success early, winning the Third and Second Divisions of Sao Paulo regional tournaments. Sao Caetano rose to national prominence in 2000.

In 2000, the Brazilian national championship was contested in a rather unusual way. According to previous credentials, teams would play in the First (best teams), Second or Third Division; Sao Caetano played in the Second. The difference was that, after all Divisions were finished, a mini tournament would gather representatives from all of them (one team from Third Division, three from Second and twelve from First), and the winner would be the Brazilian Champion of 2000.

Sao Caetano was runner-up of the Second Division and qualified to the finals. Beating Fluminense, Palmeiras and Gremio, they entered the final against Vasco da Gama. The first match ended as a draw. During the second, fans invaded the pitch and the match was suspended. Despite several claims that Sao Caetano should be declared champion, Vasco petitioned the league for a third match, which Vasco went on to win.

Unlike many teams that rise prominently then quickly fall back to obscurity, Sao Caetano had another strong campaign in 2001. Playing a full season in the top division, they reached the final against Atletico Paranaense. Once again they finished as the runner-up, but consecutive seasons placing well secured their reputation on a national level.

In 2002, Sao Caetano was finalist of Copa Libertadores, the most important tournament in South America. Again, they were runner-up, losing the final to Olimpia of Paraguay on penalties.

Sao Caetano had earned respect, but

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