One of the state's newest football clubs, Duque de Caxias has already emerged competitive. Founded in 2005, the club secured a spot in the Second Division of the State Championship the following year. Promotion to the first division came in 2007.

Their debut in the state's most important championship came in 2008. With other clubs withdrawing, they eventually earned the right to compete in the Brazilian Championship's Série C. The Baixada Fluminense team did not disappoint, finishing fourth overall, qualifying for the 2009 Brazilian Championship Série B. Their campaign was uneven, but the team finished eighth, ahead of clubs that had previously played in Série A, such as Paraná Clube, Ponte Preta, Bahia, Juventude, Bragantino, Ipatinga, Brasiliense, and Fortaleza.

The 2010 team features well-known names in Gávea. These include the experienced Maurinho, a defensive midfielder and later right-back who played for Flamengo between 1997 and part of 2001, and then again in 2002. And goalkeeper Getúlio Vargas, a product of Flamengo's youth academy but never quite made it to the senior team. Striker Marcelo is another: he gained media attention after scoring four goals against Flamengo in the 2007 State Championship, while playing for Madureira, who later lost to Flamengo in the finals of the Guanabara Cup.

Clashes with Flamengo

2008

Flamengo 5x1 Duque de Caxias (RJ)
State Championship (Guanabara Cup)
27/01/2008 - Maracanã Stadium (RJ)
Team: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano (Rodrigo), Ronaldo Angelim, Juan, Jailton, Jonatas, Ibson, Toró, Marcinho (Maxi), Souza (Obina). Coach: Joel Santana.
Goals: Marcinho, Ibson (2), Leonardo Moura, Souza.

2009

Flamengo 4x2 Duque de Caxias (RJ)
State Championship (Rio Cup)
11/03/2009 - Raulino de Oliveira Stadium (Volta Redonda - RJ)
Team: Bruno, Everton Silva (Toro), Fabio Luciano, Wellinton, Juan, Airton, Willians (Kleberson), Leonardo Moura, Ibson, Ze Roberto, Josiel (Paulo Sergio). Coach: Cuca.
Goals: Juan, Josiel, Leonardo Moura (2).

_{Source: FlaEstatística}