Club: Real Esteli FC
Founded: 1960
City: Esteli, Nicaragua
Stadium: Estadio Independencia
Manager: Otoniel Olivas
Qualification method: Best aggregate record between Nicaraguan Apertura/Clausura champions
Previous CONCACAF Champions League appearances: 2008-09
Honors: Nicaragua league - 10 (1991, 1999, 2003, 2003 Apertura, 2004 Clausura, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010 Clausura, 2011 Clausura); Copa de Nicaragua - 1 (1991)
Official website: http://www.realestelifc.com

The Nicaraguan Clausura champion will compete in the CONCACAF Champions League for a second time after also qualifying for the inaugural tournament. In 2008-09, it lost 1-0 on aggregate to the Canadian champion Montreal Impact in the Preliminary Round. The club was founded in 1960 as Esteli FC, but acquired its name and added the crown to its logo, like Spanish clubs Real Madrid, Real Betis and Real Zaragoza. The two gold stars on the logo represent national titles in 1991 and 1999. In 2004, El Tren del Norte made history by eliminating favorite Real Espana to become the first Nicaraguan club to reach the second round of the UNCAF Copa Interclubes. Playing at Estadio Independencia, Real Esteli has finished in the top five of Nicaragua's top division every year since 1986. Forwards Wilber Sanchez, Samuel Wilson and Rudel Calero, as well as midfielder Felix Rodriguez, all compete for the Nicaraguan national team, while manager Ramon Otoniel Olivas is considered one of the top players ever to compete for La Azul y Blanco.