mexican football clubhouse
This article is about the men ‘s football club based in Mexico City. For early uses, see Cruz Azul ( disambiguation ) football club
Club Deportivo Social y Cultural Cruz Azul Asociación S.A. de C.V. or just Cruz Azul ( pronounce [ kɾus a’sul ] ) is a master football club based in Mexico City, Mexico. It competes in the Liga MX, the exceed division of Mexican football. Because “ azul ” means “ blue ” in spanish, the club has traditionally worn a amobarbital sodium base kit out.

Reading: Cruz Azul

Founded in Jasso, Hidalgo, the club moved formally to Mexico City in 1971, where it had already registered a capital presence and natural process since its beginnings. Estadio Azteca, the state ‘s largest sports venue, served as their family venue until 1996, when they moved to the Estadio Azul. After 22 years the team returned to the Azteca at the decision of the 2017-18 Liga MX season. Its headquarters are in La Noria, a suburb within Xochimilco in the southerly separate of Mexico City. [ 2 ] Cruz Azul has been the Primera División champion nine times, trailing Toluca ‘s 10, C.D. Guadalajara ‘s 12, and Club América ‘s 13. Cruz Azul ‘s six titles makes it the second-most successful club in the history of the CONCACAF Champions League, the most prestigious external clubhouse contest in north american english football, trailing intracity equal Club América. Cruz Azul was besides the first CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in south american football ( which invited exceed Liga MX clubs from 1998 to 2017 ), losing on penalties to Argentine football giants Boca Juniors in 2001. In the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul was the first CONCACAF club ( and third cosmopolitan ) to complete a rare Continental Treble, winning the Mexican Primera División championship, the Copa México national tournament, and the CONCACAF Champions League. In its 2014 Club World Ranking, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics placed Cruz Azul as the 99th-best baseball club in the world and the third-best club in CONCACAF. [ 3 ] According to respective polls published, Cruz Azul is the third-most democratic team in Mexico, behind only C.D. Guadalajara and Club América. [ 4 ] It is besides the second most supported team in its hometown, Mexico City, behind América and ahead of Pumas UNAM .

history [edit ]

Background and Foundation [edit ]

Carlos Garces López was a football player and athlete, representing Mexico at the Summer Olympics in both 1924 and 1928 in athletics and football respectively. [ 5 ] As a Midfielder, he was separate of Club America ‘s establish squad and was a key player to their authority of the Primera Fuerza in the mid-1920s. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Garces López besides formed character of the first Mexico national football team team in 1923, playing in Mexico ‘s foremost series of official international matches against Guatemala. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] As football in Mexico was not a lucrative occupation at the meter, Garces López, a license dentist, was employed at the cement company Cemento Cruz Azul located in the little town of Jasso, Hidalgo providing dental care to its employees. He would travel regularly to Mexico City from Jasso to train and play for America. [ 10 ] In 1925, Cemento Cruz Azul had voted to establish a company baseball team as the sport was popular in the town of Jasso. [ 11 ] Garces López, however, personally lobbied for many months to change the official company sport to football. initially receiving resistance from american employees, Garces López finally convinced the company directors to hold a referendum in which the workers would vote on the company team ‘s independent sport. On March 22, 1927, the right to vote was held where it was decided the ship’s company team ‘s mutant was to change from baseball to football. [ 12 ] Cemento Cruz Azul installed a football lurch on the party ‘s premises in topographic point of the baseball field and the football team was officially established on two months late on May 22 where Garces López was appointed head coach of the newly founded team. [ 10 ] [ 13 ]

amateur Era ( 1927–1960 ) [edit ]

initially, Cemento Cruz Azul played in local tournaments organized by the company against teams representing towns neighboring Jasso. The team was composed entirely of company workers for the following three decades. The club was widely successful in amateur tournaments during the 30s and 40s, winning 15 straight state flush league titles .

constitution as a Co-operative ( 1931-1934 ) [edit ]

By 1931, Cemento Cruz Azul had experienced a series of economic troubles following the Great Depression. Due to the loss of demand and production of cement and other structure materials, Cemento Cruz Azul faced bankruptcy and was bought by cement company La Tolteca on March 1, 1931, for 1 million colombian peso. As it became apparent Cemento Cruz Azul was to be liquidated, 192 workers of Cemento Cruz Azul nonionized and sued the executives of the company to prevent the transfer of the place which was set for October 15 of that class. The government of Hidalgo ruled in favor of the workers after it was shown La Tolteca had premeditated intentions of elimination. The workers assumed command of the industrial facilities on November 2. On May 21, 1932, the governor of Hidalgo, Bartolomé Vargas Lugo, decreed the 192 workers of Cemento Cruz Azul as collective owners of the plant, exercising eminent domain. part of the agreement, all 192 workers who assumed province of the plant agreed to pay the submit of Hidalgo 1.3 million colombian peso over the course of 10 years. The caller changed its name to Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L, reestablishing itself as a cooperative on January 29, 1934. The debt was paid off on November 2, 1941, 10 years after workers took operate of the plant. In celebration, Cruz Azul organized a peer against R.C. España where the game ended in a 0–0 pull. [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] The cabaret ‘s working class effigy is widely attributed in separate of this incident. [ 20 ] [ 17 ] [ 21 ]

success in amateurish Competitions ( 1932-1952 ) [edit ]

From 1932 to 1943, Cemento Cruz Azul won 15 back-to-back league titles in an amateur state league of Hidalgo. On 8 unlike occasions, the golf club represented the submit of Hidalgo in national amateur tournaments. From the mid-1930s to the late 1940s, the club regularly traveled to Mexico City to face the military reserve teams of Atlante, Necaxa, Marte, and R.C. España, playing at Parque Necaxa to bang-up success. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] By 1937, Cruz Azul had garnered a considerable following both in Hidalgo and Mexico City. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 15 ] [ 23 ] Around this period in time Guillermo Álvarez Macías began playing on the team as a midfielder. [ 26 ]

Foundations for Professional Status ( 1953-1960 ) [edit ]

On December 10, 1953, Guillermo Álvarez Macías was appointed general coach of Cemento Cruz Azul. He had been employed at the cooperative since the age of 12 when his don died in 1931. initially employed as an automotive machinist, Álvarez Macías spent over two decades at the ship’s company and rising through the ranks. [ 27 ] A self-proclaimed socialist, Álvarez Macías laid plans to reconstruct the cooperative into a operation town, build schools, restaurants, paving roads, in hopes to modernize and “ share social and economic progress, to raise the standard of life of the actor and his class. ” [ 28 ] [ 27 ] In his finish to promote social wellbeing among members of the cooperative, Álvarez Macías invested into cultural and amateur activities. [ 27 ] This included investing much more into the football golf club whose proceeds were used to provide the worker-players with better living conditions. [ 26 ] In 1958, team captain and machinist, Luis Velázquez Hernández, served as the golf club ‘s ambassador to the Mexican Football Federation to lobby for official membership on the cabaret ‘s behalf. Velázquez Hernández met Paulino Sánchez in Mexico City, who had ties to prominent football executives. They met with Joaquín Soria Terrazas and Ignacio Trelles to discuss membership to the federation for the club. Sánchez vouched in favor of Cruz Azul, citing their continual success in the amateur and reserve tournaments. much to the displeasure of Álvarez Macías who asserted the club was not ready for professional football. [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 14 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] In preparation for confederation membership, Paulino Sánchez assumed the position as principal coach of the golf club. Due to regulations, teams were required to have a allow team. Lafayette, a club experiencing fiscal troubles located in Colonia Moctezuma, had many talented players that could potentially be Cruz Azul ‘s reserves. Under the recommendation of Sánchez, Cruz Azul purchased the Lafayette team. The acquisition was completed erstwhile in 1960. [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] Plans to construct a club stadium that complied to the standards set by the Mexican Football Federation were conceived in 1960. [ 36 ] In 1961, ground broke to construct Estadio 10 de Diciembre and finished in 1963. [ 37 ] [ 38 ] Despite not possessing federation membership and due to Sánchez ‘s personal contacts, Cruz Azul was invited to compete in the 1960-61 version of Copa de la Segunda División de México, a competition sanctioned by the Mexican Football Federation. The club ‘s first game was played April 2, 1961, in Jasso against Zamora, ending in 2–1 in favor of Cruz Azul. The second peg was played on April 9, 1961, ending in a 3–3 puff. They faced Querétaro in the adjacent round winning 1–0 on sum. Cruz Azul was eliminated by UNAM. Following their impressive performance in the cup, the Mexican Football Federation granted Cruz Azul an opportunity to register as a professional team. [ 39 ] [ 35 ] [ 40 ]

Professional Level and Rapid Rise to Prominence ( 1961-1968 ) [edit ]

The club was formally registered to compete in the nation ‘s moment tier professional league for the 1961-62 temper. [ 41 ] due to the regulations by the Mexican Football Federation that prohibited the official usage of company names by clubs, the club changed its name to Cooperativa Cruz Azul from Cemento Cruz Azul [ 42 ]

forwarding to Primera División ( 1964 ) [edit ]

Jorge Marik, a hungarian coach who previously managed Atlas and Atlante, signed on to manage the club in 1961. [ 43 ] Cruz Azul won a target promotion to Primera División after Marik led the club to the 1st position on the general table with 45 points ( 19 wins, 7 draw, and 4 losses ) in the 1963–64 mexican Segunda División season. [ 44 ] Following the club ‘s promotion, Estadio 10 de Diciembre undergo renovations on March 6, 1964, rebuilding the wooden stands and dressing rooms which were compliant to regulations. [ 37 ] Cruz Azul finished their beginning season in the top flight, the 1964–65 Mexican Primera División season, in 8th place with 10 wins, 9 disembowel, 11 losses. [ 45 ] After inadequate results, Marik left the club after the 1965–66 Mexican Primera División season where Cruz Azul finished in 13th put out of 16 teams on the league table. [ 46 ] Walter Ormeño became the team ‘s interim coach, managing 3 games, before the club signed Raúl Cárdenas October 20, 1966. [ 47 ] [ 48 ] [ 49 ]

establishment in the top Flight ( 1969-1980 ) [edit ]

domination of Primera División ( 1969-1975 ) [edit ]

1968–69 season : First Championship, Treble [edit ]

During the 1968–69 season under the direction of Cárdenas, Cruz Azul won their first Copa México, their first Primera División title, and their first CONCACAF Champions ‘ Cup. [ 50 ] After alone 4 years in the nation ‘s top flight, Cruz Azul managed to complete a treble, being the foremost club to do so in not only Mexico but in the CONCACAF region angstrom well. [ 51 ]

1969 Intercontinental Cup Win against Manchester United [edit ]

In December 1969, Cruz Azul was entered in a non- FIFA sanctioned intercontinental cup against Manchester United organized by UEFA and CONCACAF. The winners of the UEFA Champions League and CONCACAF Champions ‘ Cup competed in a two-legged tie. [ 52 ] The inaugural leg, played in Estadio Azteca on the 18th of December, Cruz Azul won 3–0 with goals by Fernando Bustos, Octavio Muciño, and Rafael Hernández Pat. The second stage played in Old Trafford on December 26 ended in a 1–1 draw with goals scored by Bobby Charlton and Octavio Muciño on the English and Mexican slope respectively, winning the UEFA-CONCACAF Cup for Cruz Azul. [ 53 ] [ 54 ]
Cruz Azul finished in irregular place on the general postpone for the 1969–70 Mexican Primera División temper. [ 55 ] The club was awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions ‘ Cup on December 15, 1970, after Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the second phase of the contest in September citing economic issues. [ 56 ] [ 57 ] between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul led the Primera División with six league tournament championships ; four under Cárdenas and the last two under Ignacio Trelles. This brawny version of the team earned the nickname La Máquina Celeste ( The Blue Machine ), which continues as one of the official nicknames of the team. On December 18, 1976, Guillermo Álvarez Macías died of a heart attack at the age of 56 while awaiting President Portillo for a meet. [ 42 ] [ 58 ]

first Drought ( 1981-1997 ) [edit ]

Throughout the 1980s, Cruz Azul remained one of the most competitive teams in the league. Despite their consistent form and fiscal wealth, the club was unable to obtain a title. This drought would last for another 17 years .

Billy Álvarez Presidency [edit ]

In 1988, Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas, the son of the late Guillermo Álvarez Macías, assumed the position of general coach at the cooperative Cemento Cruz Azul and presidency of Cruz Azul. [ 59 ]
For the 1991–92 temper, Cruz Azul signed Carlos Hermosillo. An América picture who was an fundamental to America ‘s 1988–89 league championship victory against Cruz Azul, Hermosillo ‘s sign was met with ambivalence by the club ‘s supporters. [ 60 ] Hermosillo, however, cursorily established himself as an integral share of the team where he was the league ‘s acme goal scorekeeper for 3 straight years ( 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96 – 27, 35, 26 goals respectively ). [ 61 ] In the 1994-95 season, the baseball club finished 3rd in the league ‘s overall table and reached a league concluding for the first time in 6 years where they were defeated 3–1 on aggregate by Necaxa. [ 62 ]

1996-1997 : end of Drought and Second Treble [edit ]

July 20 of 1996 marked the end of a 16 class long championship drought for Cruz Azul. The team managed by Víctor Manuel Vucetich won the CONCACAF Champions ‘ Cup individual round-robin tournament held in Guatemala City. [ 63 ] Cruz Azul finished 1st on the table after defeating Seattle Sounders 11–0 at Estadio Flores. [ 64 ] Vucetich besides lead Cruz Azul to a Copa México style, winning the 1996–97 Copa México at the Estadio 10 de Diciembre after defeating Toros Neza 2–0. [ 65 ]
Cruz Azul before facing León in the second gear leg of the Invierno 1997 final, December 7, 1997. Under the management of Luis Fernando Tena, Cruz Azul won the CONCACAF Champions ‘ Cup on August 24, 1997, for the moment straight year after defeating LA Galaxy 5–3 in the final. [ 66 ] On December 7, 1997, Cruz Azul, who finished 2nd in the general standings of the league postpone, won the Invierno 1997 league tournament the against mesa leaders León via fortunate goal. This marked an end to the club ‘s 17 class hanker league drought equally well as achieving Cruz Azul ‘s second continental soprano. The second leg of the serial is largely remembered in part of a self-admittedly inexplicable act of aggression committed by León ‘s goalkeeper Ángel Comizzo towards Carlos Hermosillo that handed the backing claim to Cruz Azul. [ 67 ] During the 15th minute of the first gear half of extra time, Comizzo shoved and kicked Cruz Azul striker Hermosillo in the confront while inside the penalty box. Referee Arturo Brizio lone witnessed the shove but did not see the kick as he turned his pass away when Comizzo kicked Hermosillo. The penalty was called in favor of Cruz Azul while Comizzo did not get sent off. [ 68 ] Hermosillo, whose confront was bleeding abundantly, took the punishment bang and scored. As the golden finish rule applied, Cruz Azul won the match and their one-eighth league championship. [ 69 ] [ 51 ]

moment Drought ( 1997-2020 ) [edit ]

Copa Libertadores 2001 [edit ]

In 2001, Cruz Azul was invited to a tournament between choice Mexican and Venezuelan teams that would then compete in the Copa Libertadores, a tournament of the best south american teams. The two best teams of this qualifying tournament earned immediate placement on the roll. Cruz Azul was one of the seed teams and reached the 2001 Copa Libertadores final equal. Cruz Azul started the tournament in Group 7 along with teams such as the Sao Caetano, the Defensor Sporting, and Olmedo. Cruz Azul finished as drawing card of the group with 13 points. At the round of 16 Cruz Azul faced Cerro Porteño. The first leg was played in Asunción, where Cruz Azul lost 2–1. The second stage was played in Mexico City, where Cruz Azul won the game 3–1. The aggregate score was 4–3 in favor of Cruz Azul and they moved on to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, Cruz Azul faced CA River Plate of Argentina. The first stage of the catch was played in Buenos Aires and ended in a 0–0 draw. The second stage was played in Mexico City and Cruz Azul won 3–0. Cruz Azul was having a great campaign and faced Rosario Central at the semifinals. The first peg was played in Mexico City and Cruz Azul won the game 2–0. The second peg was played in Rosario in a very agitate match that ended in a 3–3 withdraw in favor of Cruz Azul due to the 2–0 victory in the beginning leg. In the final match, Cruz Azul played against the argentinian club the Boca Juniors. Cruz Azul lost at home plate the first branch 1–0, but came back to win the second leg with the same score at Boca ‘s La Bombonera stadium with Paco Palencia scoring the goal. Until then, no team had ever won a Copa Libertadores final match there. After overtime, the backing was decided by punishment kicks where Boca Juniors prevailed. still, Cruz Azul surprised everybody with the unprecedented feat of reaching the final and defeating established argentine teams such as Rosario Central and River Plate .

2005 Abduction of Rubén Omar Romano [edit ]

After leaving a pre-season practice seance on July 16, 2005, then coach Rubén Omar Romano was abducted by 5 men after being cornered by two steal vehicles. A ransom note was former found demand of Romano ‘s family $ 500,000. [ 70 ] Assistant coach Isaac Mizrahi managed the team during Romano ‘s absence. [ 71 ] After 65 days, Romano was rescued and found unharmed after union agents raided a family in a poor region where Romano and his kidnappers were thought to be situated. [ 72 ] The agents arrested 7 conspirators who were under the orders of convict kidnapper Jose Luis Canchola. [ 72 ] During the hostage incident, the club had decided to not renew Romano ‘s contract upon the end of Apretura 2005 and rather offered the position to Mizrahi following stellar results. [ 73 ] Mizrahi accepted the position while Romano stated he felt betrayed. Romano and Mizrahi ‘s friendship was severed as a leave. [ 74 ]

Series of Runner-ups and end minute losses ( 2008-2020 ) [edit ]

The club was regularly regarded to be contenders for backing titles due to their formidable and fiscal stature in the league. Throughout this period in fourth dimension however, Cruz Azul competed in many league and tournament finals entirely to finish runner-up. [ 75 ] In these backing matches, a well as regular season games, Cruz Azul initially would be favorites to win, often having the advantage over the opposition, but would ultimately draw or lose near the end of wide stop clock. As a solution, the club garnered a negative reputation of being cursed and the club would much be subject to ridicule. The term cruzazulear, defined as “ the act of losing a plot after victory is much assured ”, is used to describe Cruz Azul losing a match in the aforesaid manner beginning erstwhile in 2013. The use of the term was indeed prevailing that it is officially recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy in 2020. [ 76 ] [ 77 ] [ 78 ]

Clausura 2008 [edit ]

During the Clausura 2008 season, the team played a great tournament, finishing in second topographic point. The team won 9 games, had 4 draws and lost entirely 4 times. In the quarterfinals they played against the Jaguares losing 1–0 in the foremost stage and winning 2–1 in the second leg with goals of Pablo Zeballos and Miguel Sabah. They moved to the semifinals against the San Luis, the first leg was played in San Luis and Cruz Azul won 0–1 with a goal of Miguel Sabah. In the second leg, Cruz Azul and the San Luis played a formidable match that ended 1–1 with goals of Eduardo Coudet and Pablo Zeballos. In the final, Cruz Azul played against the Santos Laguna, second space in the tournament. The first leg ended 1–2 with a victory for the Santos, and in the second leg, a 1–1 create Laguna team champions .

Apertura 2008 [edit ]

Cruz Azul finished in 5th target on the overall board. The team had 7 wins, 5 draw, and 5 losses. In the quarterfinals, Cruz Azul defeated Pumas UNAM with an aggregate score of 3–1. They moved to the semifinals against the Atlante, the first leg was played in Mexico City, and Cruz Azul won 3–1. In the second leg, Cruz Azul and the Atlante played a regular match in Cancún, Quintana Roo, that ended 1–1, resulting in Cruz Azul reaching the Final for the second base back-to-back time in 2008. In the final, Cruz Azul played against Toluca, both teams tied on winning mexican titles ( at that time with 8 each ). The beginning leg played in Mexico City, and ended with a dramatic 0–2 with a victory for visitors, Toluca, and in the second leg, which was played at “ Estadio Nemesio Díez ”. Cruz Azul won 0–2, making the tie on aggregate “ 2–2 ”, as the meet was tied, they played “ extra time ” and the draw continued until going to the “ Penalty – Shoot out ”, where Toluca won 7–6 over Cruz Azul, Alejandro Vela was Cruz Azul “ villain ” because he failed the last “ punishment shoot-out ”, another incident before the catch went to “ supernumerary meter ”, was a clear disgusting suffered by Villaluz on the Goal sphere, Toluca ‘s actor “ Jose Manuel Cruz Alta ” crashed with Cruz Azul player, making him unconscious, but the reviewer did n’t mark the clog even though Cruz Azul player was knocked out, he did n’t even take a red card on the Toluca player, ( unfortunately Cruz Azul had made his 3 substitutions, so they ended the couple play with only 10 players, an unfair situation, that interfered directly on the final solution of the catch ) this made the Toluca team champions after winning their 9th Mexican title, becoming the 3rd most successful of Mexican title winning teams .

2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League [edit ]

In the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League, the team had a good tournament. In the foremost phase, they finished moment in Group A, qualifying for the knockout phase. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Pumas UNAM, by 2–0 ; in the semi-finals, they defeated the Islanders of Puerto Rico on penalties. In the concluding against the Atlante, they lost the first gear game 0–2 and tied the second 0–0, losing on aggregate .

Apertura 2009 [edit ]

In the Apertura 2009, the team had signed Javier Cambranis to manage the team and signed several players, including the best goalkeeper on the previous Mexican tournament Jose de Jesus Corona, the Derby County Striker Emanuel “ Tito ” Villa, Ramon Nuñez, and Emilio Hernandez. The team finished the regular season in second place with 33 points, winning 11 games of 17 played, and qualifying for the playoffs ; Villa was the top scorekeeper of the tournament with 17 goals. In the quarter-finals, they beat Puebla ( first game 4–4, second game 3–2 ), and in the semi-finals, they beat Monarcas Morelia ( first base game 0–0, second gear 2–1 ). In the final, they lost to Monterrey ( first base plot 3–4, second 1–2 ). [ 79 ] In April 2012, Cruz Azul changed their official name from Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C. to merely Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.

2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League [edit ]

In the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, the team had a dear tournament, finishing beginning in Group C and qualifying for the final phase of playoffs. In the quarter-finals, they defeated the panamanian team the Árabe Unido, by 4–0, and then in the semifinal rung, they played against the Mexican team Universidad Nacional, winning 5–1 in Mexico City. In the concluding, against another mexican club, C. F. Pachuca, they had the probability to win their 6th CONCACAF backing, winning the first game 2–1, but losing in the Pachuca ‘s home plate at the last minute 1–0 by the off goals rule, frankincense losing the opportunity to participate on the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the UAE .

Liga MX Clausura/Copa MX Clausura 2013 [edit ]

During the 2013 season, Cruz Azul started decelerate but regained confidence after beating Club América in the Copa MX semi-finals and winning the Copa MX final examination over the Atlante. After Cruz Azul won the Copa MX, their Liga MX operation improved and they were considered one of the contenders for the title due to a good streak. They would face bitter rivals the Club America in a historical final series of the “ Clásico Joven. ” Cruz Azul was up 2–0 in aggregate when the Club America made a marvelous comeback with goals in the 89th from Aquilvado Mosquera and 93rd minute from Moises Munoz who was a goalkeeper of the moment peg ; Club America would go on to win 4–2 on penalties .

Apertura 2018 [edit ]

Cruz Azul faced the Club América in a replay of the Clausura 2013 concluding for the Apertura 2018 final. The inaugural leg was played on 13 December 2018 which ended in a scoreless draw. The irregular peg was played on 16 December 2018 and ended in a 2–0 victory for the Club América. With this defeat, Cruz Azul extended its 21-year-old championship drought in the league for at least another temper .

Clausura 2009 [edit ]

The Cruz Azul team before the game against the Atlante on 28 February 2009. In the Clausura 2009, the team had the worst tournament in cabaret history en path to a last stopping point. They accumulated just 13 points in 17 games, winning alone two games, with seven draws and eight losses. The Club sacked their director Benjamín Galindo with one game left in the Clausura. He was replaced for the remainder of the temper by Robert Siboldi who was then coaching Cruz Azul ‘s affiliate in Hidalgo .

CONCACAF Champions League win and FIFA Club World Cup introduction ( 2014 ) [edit ]

On April 23, 2014, after defeating Toluca, Cruz Azul won their 6th CONCACAF championship, a record at the time. [ 80 ] This gave Cruz Azul a moor at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, where they would earn a fourth-place finish. [ 81 ]
Since the Apertura 2014, Cruz Azul has been unable to qualify to the liguilla playoffs for six back-to-back tournaments. [ 82 ] Cruz Azul qualified for the liguilla for the beginning prison term in three years in the Apertura 2017 season. however, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the América, who advanced as the higher-ranked seeded player, with an aggregate grade of 0–0. On 27 November 2017, Cruz Azul announced that Paco Jémez would not renew his contract for the surveil season. [ 83 ] [ 84 ] In the Liga MX Clausura 2018 tournament, Cruz Azul ended up rank 12th and failed to qualify for the liguilla. Cruz Azul were last space in the group stage of the Clausura 2018 Copa MX. On 7 May 2018, the club announced director of football Eduardo de la Torre ‘s contract had ended and would be replaced by Ricardo Peláez, former director of football for the América. [ 85 ] [ 86 ] [ 87 ] [ 88 ] Cruz Azul ‘s telecast matches were on television Azteca in Mexico ( Azteca America in the United States ), but in the capitulation of 2013 they moved to Televisa in Mexico ( Univision in the U.S. ). [ citation needed ] On 31 October, they would face Monterrey in the Apertura 2018 Copa MX Final, winning 2–0 with goals from Elías Hernández and Martín Cauteruccio. It was their beginning trophy in the tournament since 2013. [ 89 ]

administrative Vicissitude ( 2020-Present ) [edit ]

indictment and Ousting of Board of Directors [edit ]

In May 2020, Guillermo Alvarez Cuevas, then president of the club, was indicted by Mexican authorities on multiple accounts of insurance fraud, racketeering, extortion, tax evasion, and money wash. [ 90 ] On July 26, an collar sanction was issued for Alvarez along with board directors Victor Manuel Garcés, Miguel Eduardo Borrell, and Mario Sánchez Álvarez for allege ties to organized crime. [ 91 ] [ 92 ] Alvarez subsequently resigned from his stead at the club in August 2020 after 32 years as acting president. [ 93 ] Interpol is presently searching for Alvarez in 195 countries and as of June 2, 2021, remains at big. [ 94 ]

2020 [edit ]

On December 6, 2020, Cruz Azul faced UNAM on the second gear semi-final leg of the Guardianes 2020 Liga MX final examination phase. Although Cruz Azul had a 4–0 moderate at the get down of the second gear leg match-up, they lost the equal 0–4, frankincense tied with UNAM in the final aggregate. however, as UNAM won in week 17 meet at 1-0 they held the connect circuit breaker, they advanced to the final. [ 95 ]

end of second base Drought ( 2021 ) [edit ]

On May 30, 2021, Cruz Azul ended its 23-year Primera División backing drought by beating Santos Laguna 2–1 on aggregate at Estadio Azteca, earning its ninth league backing. [ 96 ]

Colours and badge [edit ]

Cruz Azul Corinthians Cruz Azul shirts from 90 ‘s and 2000 ‘s The clubhouse ‘s crest has stayed relatively coherent since its foundation in the 1920s, [ 97 ] with a blue cross in a white circle surrounded by a red square, with the club ‘s name above and below. As years went by and titles were won, the crest was modified to proclaim the Cruz Azul ‘s achievements, adding a larger gloomy circle/frame after the 1971–72 season showing three stars for each Liga MX championship gain ( showing eight stars since the end of the 1997 season ) .

past crests [edit ]

stadium [edit ]

The team presently plays in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Cruz Azul ‘s train facilities are named “ La Noria ”, which are located in Xochimilco. The team returned to the Estadio Azteca in the Apertura 2018 season after spending 22 years at Azul Stadium, which has been slated to be demolished. The team has indicated that it intends to build a new stadium, but solid plans such as localization have not materialized. [ 98 ]

Personnel [edit ]

police squad [edit ]

As of 14 April 2021[99]

bill : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality .

Out on loanword [edit ]

note : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality .

management [edit ]

Listed on the official web site of Cruz Azul. [ 100 ]

Position

Staff

Chairman

Mexico

Director of football

Mexico

Coaching staff [edit ]

Reserve teams [edit ]

Cruz Azul Lagunas
Reserve team that plays in the Liga TDP, the fourth level of the Mexican league system.

erstwhile players [edit ]

managerial history [edit ]

Honours [edit ]

domestic [edit ]

1963–64
  • Campeón de Campeones: 3
  • Campeonisimo: 1
1969
  • Supercopa MX: 1

International [edit ]

  • Leagues Cup: 1

Nicknames [edit ]

The rabbit is the animal that is used to represent the team. The Cruz Azul has a fat variety show of nicknames over its history, listed chronologically :

  • Cementeros (cement workers): As a result of affiliation with the Cruz Azul Cement, the first name refers directly to the employees of the company, as the team originally was formed with them. Over the years, the concept is extended not only to those who worked in the cooperative, but the construction workers in general.
  • Liebres (hares): When the team was promoted to the Primera División in the mid-1960s, the club played a fast and physical game. These characteristics, coupled with their mostly white uniforms, led fans to compare the players of those years with the hares which abound in the town. The nickname took hold, and an anthropomorphic hare is often used as a mascot and icon to represent the Cruz Azul. While some modern fans believe that the mascot is a rabbit, the club’s board has officially declared that it is a hare.
  • La Máquina (the machine, the locomotive): This nickname is fed by several sources of inspiration. One is based on a railway that brought the cement from the Cruz Azul plant, in the former village of Jasso (south of Tula de Allende), to Mexico City. After moving to Mexico City, the Cruz Azul was the most dominant club in Mexico during the 1970s, reinforcing the nickname as a comparison to the image of a locomotive sweeping through their opponents. The name may have been borrowed from the similarly nicknamed River Plate club that motored through its opponents in the Argentine Primera División in the 1940s. It has been suggested that reporter Rugama Angel Fernandez was the first to publish an article with the name La Máquina for the Cruz Azul. The nickname has some variations, including The Sky-blue Machine (La Máquina Celeste), The Blue Machine (La Máquina Azul) and The Cement Machine (La Máquina Cementera).

The Cheerleaders ( Las Celestes ) [edit ]

The club has its official cheerlead cabaret, which were included as part of the institution since 2004, since then, act as cheerleaders in the proceedings of the club in their home games before and at halftime. From its appearance of “ Las Celestes ” have formed part of the custom of the club. And the lone Mexican team that has as function of their group at their official cheerleaders. [ 103 ]

popularity and rivalries [edit ]

popularity [edit ]

Since its origin the team was supported chiefly by cement workers. After forwarding to the Primera División in the 1960s, more people began to follow the team. In the 1970s when the team managed six of their eight titles even more people joined the group of supporters of the team, until now that in this twenty-first century according to assorted surveys [ which? ] is the one-third team with the most supporters in Mexico, [ citation needed ] behind the Club Guadalajara and the América respectively, above the club UNAM. The baseball club became ill-famed in Mexico for not having won a Mexican league title from 1997 to 2021. For an english-speaking hearing, the alleged “ Cruz Azul hex “ is likened to Neverkusen for German team Bayer Leverkusen, the Curse of the Bambino for MLB baseball ‘s Boston Red Sox, or the Curse of the Billy Goat for MLB ‘s Chicago Cubs. The commonality derives from these teams ‘ inability, no topic the quality of the team relative to their opponents in a tournament or a championship match, to win a backing. The “ hex ” was broken after their win of the Guardianes 2021 final examination pit versus Santos Laguna, after scoring 2–1 on May 30, 2021 .

Rivalries [edit ]

National Rivalries :

  • Main Rivalry: the “Clásico Joven” vs. the Club América.

Records [edit ]

  • Cruz Azul has the distinction of being the only Mexican football club to win the North American treble – winning the Liga MX, Copa MX, and Champions League in 1997.
  • Cruz Azul is the Mexican club with the second-most titles at international level, behind only América (six titles in the CONCACAF Champions League, plus a runners-up finish twice in 2009 and 2010, one Leagues Cup title, as well as one runners-up finish in the Copa Libertadores in 2001).
  • Cruz Azul is both the Mexican and overall club with the second-most titles in the CONCACAF Champions League, with six (behind only América, with seven).
  • Cruz Azul holds the record for most consecutive wins in the history of the Primera División: 12 wins in the Guard1anes 2021.
  • Cruz Azul is the Mexican team with the highest number of playoff games played (43), including rounds of reclassification.
  • Cruz Azul is the first Mexican team to win a final crown via a “golden goal” (1997).
  • Cruz Azul has played (14) and lost (8) the most playoff finals, and has the second-most final wins, with six (tied with Toluca and UNAM).
  • Cruz Azul is one of three teams in the history of the Primera División have to win league titles in three consecutive seasons (succeeding in 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74), the other two teams being América, who did so decade later, and Guadalajara.
  • Cruz Azul is the fastest team to become champions after being promoted, winning only five years after promotion in the 1968–69 season.
  • Cruz Azul became the fastest team to win seven league titles, accomplishing the feat with only fifteen years playing in Mexico’s Primera División.

Club statistics and records [edit ]

Professional era ( since 1964 ) [edit ]

top goalscorers [edit ]

Symbols: LIG: Ligue
CUP: Cup
SPC: Campeón de Campeones
CON: CONCACAF Champions League
LIB: Copa Libertadores
FWC: FIFA World Club Cup
INA: Copa Interamericana
RCF: CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup

Tournament exceed scorers [edit ]

References [edit ]

Read more: David Prowse