Club The Strongest — The Club That Had to Become Its Name

Sep 4, 2026

Club The Strongest — The Club That Had to Become Its Name

2 wks ago 13:44

Show notes

The Strongest, Bolivian football, La Paz, and the 1969 Viloco air disaster are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club , exploring how one of Bolivia’s oldest institutions repeatedly turned survival into identity. Founded in 1908, Club The Strongest became a defining force in La Paz football, winning early championships, helping establish the Estadio Hernando Siles and later becoming a major presence in the Copa Libertadores. Chris traces the club’s connection to the Chaco War , its rivalry with Bolívar in the Clásico Paceño, and generations of important figures including Rafael Mendoza Castellón, Pablo Escobar, and Alejandro Chumacero . At the heart of the episode is the September 1969 plane crash near Viloco , which killed 17 players along with the club’s coach, staff and delegate. Chris follows the extraordinary rebuilding effort that came afterward, including support from rival clubs and Boca Juniors , the creation of the “Strongest Símbolo” team, and a rapid return to championship football. It’s a story about altitude, rivalry, memory, and a club whose name became less a boast than a responsibility: strength meant continuing after the worst day imaginable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris. The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered The Underdog Football Show Thanks for listening!

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