2004 was perhaps one of the most important years in the recent history of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. On the field, the team won only the Campeonato Carioca and was also defeated by modest Santo André in the Copa do Brasil final at the Maracanã stadium. However, off the field, the club kicked off the construction of its training center, Ninho do Urubu, in Vargem Grande.

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During president Marcio Braga's ninth term at the helm of the club, the "I Love Flamengo" campaign was launched, with the release of shirts and bracelets. The proceeds went toward the construction of the training center, which was partially inaugurated on November 15th, Flamengo's anniversary, in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Considered a priority for every major club, the training center was the crowning achievement of 2004, which had already started very well.

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Flamengo enters the Campeonato Carioca once again completely discredited by the press, which had tipped Fluminense as the overwhelming favorite. After all, the Tricolores had short Romário, whose name was hailed by Fluminense fans as sinister. But truly sinister was the mystique surrounding the Fla-Fluminense vs. Fluminense matches in that championship. Truly sinister was Maestro Felipe, who set the tone for the red-and-black team. Truly sinister was Jean, scorer of three goals in the state final. And even more sinister was the destined Roger.

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The left-back showed his special talent against Fluminense. In the first match between the two teams, in the Guanabara Cup, Flamengo was trailing 3-1 20 minutes into the second half. However, with grit, and with two goals from Roger and one from Felipe, Flamengo turned the game around and left the field to the sound of the team's signature song this season, "Dust, dust." The Tricolor fans would choke even more on this dust.

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In the Guanabara Cup final, another thrilling match, another decided game, and another one decided in Flamengo's favor with a "spiritual" goal from Roger, who, with his back to the goal, flicked the ball past the Fluminense goalkeeper to make it 3-2 over Flamengo and give Mengão the first-round State Championship title. In the Rio Cup, the team is missing Felipe, who is injured and has been out for most games. Vasco took advantage, beating Fluminense in the final and taking the second-round title.

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Another State Championship final between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama. In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Flamengo won its third state championship, defeating its rival. And this time, it was no different. Flamengo once again won the State Championship, and Vasco finished runner-up. In a championship where the biggest matches were between Flamengo and Fluminense, where Flamengo always came out on top, it was only fitting that the title go to Gávea. And it did, carried by Jean, a star player in the final, with three goals that helped Flamengo equalize, come from behind, and secure victory in the championship final.

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In the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo had a strong campaign, comfortably reaching the final. Their opponent was the team from Santo André. The first game ended in a 2-2 draw in São Paulo. In other words, Flamengo needed only a 0-0 draw to win the title. The final was played at the Maracanã. With a packed stadium, a team considered very strong, and needing a simple result, everything was heading toward a second Copa do Brasil title. However, Flamengo lost the match 2-0 and failed to win the title, hitting the post, just as in 2003, when they were defeated by Cruzeiro in the final.

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Then came the Brazilian Championship, when, once again, Flamengo struggled against relegation. The team from Gávea, however, managed to escape the specter of relegation once again. In the final match of the competition, they delivered a memorable performance, with a stunning goal from star player Felipe, and a 6-2 rout of Cruzeiro at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium in Volta Redonda. In the Copa Sudamericana, Flamengo lost on penalties to Santos in the first round after two draws.

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Vulture's Nest: The Vargem Grande Training Center, also known as the Vulture's Nest, houses all of Flamengo's youth teams, as well as some of the professional team's training facilities. Covering 136 square meters, it features six fields and state-of-the-art facilities. Flamengo relied on the support of its fans to build the training center.

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The first phase of the campaign was driven by fan donations. Fans, through extensive online publicity, donated money to the Flamengo account opened during the "I Love Flamengo" campaign for the construction of the training center. Later, the sale of Flamengo bracelets emerged, a campaign that raised funds from the bracelet sales, with the funds going toward the construction of the Vulture's Nest.

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In 2007, the second phase of the project was launched, featuring the launch of Camisa 12, with part of the proceeds also going toward the construction of the training center. Flamengo, the country's leading talent developer, has produced players who have represented the country in World Cups in recent decades, such as goalkeeper Júlio César; defenders Gonçalves, Junior Baiano, Aldair, and Juan; midfielders Leonardo and Zinho; and forwards Bebeto and Adriano.

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In addition to these more recent cases, Flamengo's youth division developed the base of the 1981 World Cup winning team, packed with stars like Zico, Júnior, Leandro, Andrade and Adílio.

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Other Sports: After investing heavily in basketball, 2004 was a year in which the red-and-black club failed to compete in the adult category in one of the club's most traditional sports. Flamengo also failed to win any other sports, but rowing saved the Red-and-Black Olympic Sport season. In the State Championship, after winning the 2004 title, Flamengo finally celebrated the 2003 title, which was upheld by the courts. With this, the club became two-time State Rowing Champion.

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Time of Year: Winning the Carioca Championship title
Character of the Year: Felipe
Game of the Year: Flamengo 4 x 3 Fluminense, for the Guanabara Cup
Top Scorer of the Year: Jean, with 15 goals

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To check out all of Flamengo's games in 2004, click here.
For more information about this year, visit this article on Flapedia.
remember here the decision of the 2004 Carioca Championship.
Check also the article about Mengão's historic comeback against Fluminense in the Guanabara Cup.
The decision of the Guanabara Cup, on Carnival Saturday, can be read here