Cruz Azul
 | ||||
| Full name | Cruz Azul Futbol Club, A.C. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
La Máquina (The Machine) Los Cementeros (The Cementers) El Azul (The Blues) Las Liebres (The Hares) | |||
| Founded | May 22, 1977 | |||
| Ground |
Estadio Azul Benito Juárez, Mexico City | |||
| Capacity | 35,161 | |||
| Owner | Cooperativa de La Cruz Azul | |||
| Chairman | Guillermo Álvarez | |||
| Manager | Luis Fernando Tena | |||
| League | Liga MX | |||
| Apertura 2013 | 4th | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
| ||||
Cruz Azul Futbol Club, A.C, known simply as Cruz Azul (pronounced: [kɾus aˈsul], "Blue Cross"), is a Mexican professional football club based in Mexico City, Mexico; after which initially was based in Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. Cruz Azul plays in the Mexican Primera División and its home venue is the Estadio Azul, located in the southwestern part of Mexico City in the Colonia Ciudad de los Deportes, next to the Nápoles neighborhood. The team moved there in 1996, after playing for many seasons at the Estadio Azteca. Its headquarters are in La Noria, a suburb located in the southern part of Mexico City in Xochimilco.
They have been the Primera División champions 8 times and trail only Toluca with 10, Club América with 11, and Guadalajara with 11. Cruz Azul was also the first Mexican or CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores when they lost on penalties to Argentine football giants Boca Juniors. Currently the clubs jerseys and sportswear, are being provided by the traditional English trademark Umbro. Cruz Azul is ranked 92nd in the IFFHS rankings of January 8 and is the 3rd top ranked team among CONCACAF and Mexico.
It is the top winner of the CONCACAF Champions League, along with Club América, with five titles and is according to several polls published, the third most popular team in Mexico (after Chivas and Club América).[1]
History
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Cruz Azul was founded under the name of Club Deportivo Cruz Azul as an amateur team on May 22, 1927. The founders were the workers of the cement maker, Cemento Cruz Azul, and Macario Acosta, and the team used to play in the town of Jasso, Hidalgo. Cemento Cruz Azul still sponsors the team, although sponsorship is currently shared with Umbro, the official sportswear of the team, Powerade, an energy drink made by Coca-Cola, Telcel and Sony. Guillermo Álvarez Marcia and Carlos Garcés were the main figures behind the creation effort and the quick success of the team, which frequently represented the state of Hidalgo in national amateur tournaments.
From 1927 to 1960, the amateur team played many times in Mexico City against the reserve squads of established professional teams such as Club Aguilitas, Necaxa, Atlante F.C., Asturias F.C. and Club Deportivo Marte. Considering the increasing success of the team, the new administration of the cement company (which changed its name to "Cooperativa Cruz Azul") decided in 1960 to build a stadium in Jasso, the Estadio 10 de Diciembre, and officially registered the team on the professional ascent division, the Segunda División for the 1960-61 season.
By 1964, under the Hungarian coach Jorge Marik, the team won the Segunda División championship, earning the right to play the following season in the highest level of professional football in Mexico, the Primera División.
That first season ended with an eighth place finish and increased hopes for the future. Just four years later, Cruz Azul won its first league tournament, under coach Raúl Cárdenas.
Cruz Azul became the most successful Mexican team of the 1970s, winning the league tournament six times between 1970 and 1980, four of them under Cárdenas, and the last two with Ignacio Trelles at the helm. Such dominance earned them the nickname La Máquina Celeste (The Celestial Machine), which is still used as the unofficial nickname of the team.
1997 brought the team its eighth and most recent championship during the Invierno 1997 tournament under coach Luis Fernando Tena, beating León by a score of 2-1. Cruz Azul won in the last minute in a penalty kick scored by Carlos Hermosillo. This was the youngest team to win eight championships in 40 years. In 2008, Cruz Azul played the three final matches. The first was against Club América in the InterLiga, where they lost in penalties. Another was against Santos Laguna in the final of the 2008 Clausura. The last match was against Deportivo Toluca F.C., which they lost in penalties.
In April 2012, Cruz Azul changed their official name from Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C. to simply Cruz Azul Futbol Club, A.C.
After spending several years on ESPN Dos in Mexico and Telemundo in the United States, Cruz Azul returned to Televisa and Univision in those countries in the fall of 2013.
The Championships
Just 5 years after it ascended to the First Division, Cruz Azul won its first league championship in a series of eight, mostly from the mid-1970s.
First Championship (1968-69)
Date: February 2, 1969
Cruz Azul assured the general leadership and with it to obtain their first title, after defeating León as visitor (3-2).Fernando Bustos (' 8), Antonio Munguía (19 ') and an own goal from Leon, Efraín Loza (' 47).
Second Championship ("México 1970")
Date: October 11, 1970.
After being the runner-up last season, Cruz Azul was able to be awarded with the title again by winning the final round of this tournament, which was divided into two parts. In the first phase was able to classify as a third place in the "Pairs" crowned after the final day to defeat Pachuca on the "Ciudad Cooperativa Cruz Azul" on Hidalgo State, by 2 to 0. For the celestial them only enough to secure the tie crown, but finally won the game to do it with class. The goals were set by Octavio Muciño (64) Pat and Rafael Hernández (71 ').
Third Championship (1971-72)
Date: July 9, 1972.
In the second tournament, where the champion is defined by round matches, Cruz Azul won its third crown since winning the final who would become his fiercest rival, the Club América. This was the first season of the club playing at home in the Azteca Stadium, where for the first time using foreign elements in the template. Cruz Azul ended up as leader of the competition faced in the semifinals round of Guadalajara, although lost in the return encounter Azteca 1-0, turned in the Jalisco stadium 2-0 to reach the final. By the fact that America had defined its semifinal series against Monterrey extra to a third party, by mutual agreement of the two finalists were decided to perform one final game. Despite having a minority of fans, Cruz Azul won overwhelming azulcrema the table by a devastating 4 to 1. Following this final, was conceived a strong rivalry between the two squads, which led the Mexican "Youth Classic" match. The goals were converted by Blue Hector Pulido ('10), Cesareo Victorino ('28) and Octavio Muciño (36 'and'46). The final would be a watershed in the history of cement, since beginning the golden age of the club.
Fourth Championship (1972-73)
Date: June 19, 1973.
Cruz Azul gets two championships in a row, again finishing as the overall leader, with the semifinals to rival Atlas. Completed in the first leg at the Jalisco stadium celestial bandwagon by 3 to 2, in turn repeat the victory by 1 to 0. It should be noted that this match would be suspended just 35 minutes of the game because of the Atlas 5 players were ejected. The final against Leon would be highly disputed, as it would have to define a third party in the Cuauhtemoc stadium in Puebla. The way (in Leon) ended with a tie at 1 and round match without goals but the third game ended in a tie again with a goal in regular time. Finally, in overtime win thanks to a Cruz Azul's own goal "Tarzan" Davino. The scorers were carried blue Javier Guzman ('40) and the own goal by Jorge Davino ('114).
Fifth Championship (1973-74)
Date: May 19, 1974.
With this title Cruz Azul achieves three championships in a row, strongly throughout the regular season and league. For a change, it ends up as leader of the regular competition and eliminated in the semifinals Puebla, although rescued a draw at home to one in the back appalled at the Cruz Azul of the Strip with severe win 6 to 1. At the end facing the junior team Club Atlético Español, who manages to defeat the blue in-game trip for 2 to 1. But in return, the machine clearly won by 3 to 0 for crowns, both games were held on the Azteca stadium. The final goal of the game were given by Horacio López Salgado ('13), Fernando Bustos ('70) and Ignacio Flores ('89).
Sixth Championship (1978-79)
Date: June 30, 1979.
After a waiting period of 4 years, Cruz Azul was back to the league champions. Finishing as overall leader, ranks in the postseason round of group round robin (all against all), his pass to win the grand final. At this stage of the league faced America (0-1 and 2-1), Toluca (1-0 and 1-0) and Atlético Potosino (2-1 and 2-2) to classify the final against the Pumas UNAM. In the way of Pumas Stadium, was a tie without goals, and in turn in the Cruz Azul Azteca wins by 2 to 0 for their sixth league title. The annotations were made by Carlos Jara Saguier ('69) and Javier López Malo ('88).
Seventh Championship (1979-80)
Date: July 7, 1980.
With this new two titles in succession, Cruz Azul close a glorious era in its short history then. This time, classified as second place overall (bottom of America), and within the group stage of cement prefinalista the head table to be on the Coyotes in Neza (1-0 and 1-0), Tampico (1-0 and 0 -1) and Atlante (4-2 and 1-3) to enter the fight for the title against the UANL Tigres. On the first match, a goal scored by a free kick, by Rodolfo Montoya, at the last minutes of the match, give Cruz Azul a win as visitors. Finally, this difference was that both the balance tilted in favor of the machine, because at the turn of the Azteca stadium ended the scoring with a thrilling tie at 3 annotations. In fact, Cruz Azul, would have an advantage of 3 to 0, but was hit by the north, which, however, was a step away from forcing extra time. The entries in this match were given by Adrian Camacho ('5) and Rodolfo Montoya ('10 and'56).
Eighth Championship ("Invierno 1997")
Date: December 7, 1997.
Cruz Azul lived a long wait to win another league title, and he arrived 17 years after the third "short" tournament. Finished as the second site (a point downstream of Leon) and the league office in the quarter-finals Atlas (1-0 at Estadio Jalisco and 4-1 at Estadio Azul), and in the semifinal at Atlante (1-1 at the Estadio Azteca and 1-0 at the Estadio Azul), to face Leon in a highly contested final round. In the return game in Estadio Azul, the Machine takes the advantage with a penalty kick scored by Benjamín Galindo. In the second leg, played at the Nou Camp, the emerald team achieves a draw on the combined result 1-1 (home and away match) by Misael Espinoza, forcing extra time period. Already in extra time, the move ultimately will be remembered by a penalty kick for an aggressive foul ("a kick"), committed by Leon goalkeeper Angel David Comizzo in the face of Carlos Hermosillo, who was playing even though he had infiltrated two fractured ribs. The penalty was kicked by the very Hermosillo, at the minute '100, and scores, and with the approach of Golden Goal, Cruz Azul wins its eighth championship.
Copa Libertadores 2001
In 2001, Cruz Azul was invited to a tournament between some Mexican and Venezuelan teams. The two best teams of this tournament earned the right to play in the Copa Libertadores, a tournament of the all the best teams of South America. Cruz Azul qualified for the Copa Libertadores in its first try, and reached the final match. Cruz Azul was placed in Group 7 along with teams such as Sao Caetano, Defensor Sporting, and Olmedo. Cruz Azul finished as leader of the group with 13 points. In the round of 16 Cruz Azul faced Cerro Porteño. The first leg was played in Asunción and Cruz Azul lost 2-1. The second leg was played in Mexico and 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 leg of the match was played in Buenos Aires and ended in a 0-0 draw. The second leg was played in Mexico and Cruz Azul won 3-0. Cruz Azul was having a great run and played Rosario Central in the semifinals. The first leg was played in Mexico and Cruz Azul won the game 2-0. The second leg was played in Rosario in a very exciting match which ended in a 3-3 draw in favor of Cruz Azul due to the 2-0 victory in the first leg. In the final match, Cruz Azul played against the Argentinian club Boca Juniors, Cruz Azul lost at home the first leg 1-0, but came back to win the second leg with the same score, at Boca's stadium La Bombonera with Paco Palencia scoring the goal. Until then, no team had ever won a Copa Libertadores final match there. After the overtime due to the tie, the championship was decided by penalty kicks, where the more experienced Boca Juniors prevailed. Still, Cruz Azul surprised everybody with the unprecedented feat of reaching the final on their first try by defeating established Argentinian teams such as Rosario Central and CA River Plate.
2006-2007
In the 2006 Apertura, the team started off great but in the middle of the season, they had a hard time adding points on the board. Cruz Azul recovered and finished the regular season as the points leader. They have not won a title since the championship they won against Leon in 1997. For the Apertura 2006, Cruz Azul made it to the quarterfinals and faced Chivas in the Estadio Jalisco. In the first leg, Cruz Azul played a very poor game and lost 2-0. On November 25, 2006 Cruz Azul played the second leg at Estadio Azul and played a brilliant game. Cruz Azul started off strong and put Chivas keeper Oswaldo Sánchez to the test on many occasions. In the middle of the first half, defender Salvador Carmona pushed a Chivas player in the penalty area and cost Cruz Azul a penalty.Ramón Morales had no problem and put the score 1-0 in favor of Chivas in the 39th minute. Cruz Azul kept creating opportunities and at the end of the first half, César Delgado made a great play that Richard Núñez finished with a goal to tie the game right before halftime in the 45th minute. In the second half, Chivas scored thanks to Ramón Morales again to put the score 2-1 in favor of Chivas. Cruz Azul did not give up and Miguel Sabah tied the game 2-2 in the 62nd minute. Cruz Azul played a great game and ended up tying the game 2-2 but losing 4-2 on aggregate.
In the 2007 Clausura the team had a great start, finishing among the first 8 teams in the league that went to playoffs. The team had a great quarterfinal series against the Tecos of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, thanks to two magnificent goals from striker Richard Núñez and moved to semifinals against Pachuca FC, the top team in the league. Pachuca beat Cruz Azul in the Estadio Azul in the first leg of the series with a strong 3-1. Cruz Azul still had a chance to overcome the adverse score, but on that same evening, the Court of Arbitration for Sport communicated that team captain Salvador Carmona was declared ineligible with immediate and lifetime effect, because of a repeated doping indiscipline that occurred back in January 2006. The sanction was dated May 18, 2007, the very day of the first match against Pachuca. Arguing that player Salvador Carmona did play on that day for Cruz Azul, the Mexican Soccer Federation, aka Federacion Mexicana de Futbol sanctioned Cruz Azul by suspending the team one game from competition, under the argument of aligning an ineligible player. Many legal arguments have been raised by both the player's lawyer and Cruz Azul, but the sanction stood and Cruz Azul lost its opportunity to overcome the 3-1 and go to the final series against America. Cruz Azul had one of the best season of their victory against Mexiel.
Clausura 2008
In the Clausura the team made a great tournament, finishing in second place. The team won 9 games, draw 4 times and lost only 4 times. In quarterfinals they played against Jaguares losing 1-0 in the first leg and winning 2-1 in the second leg with goals of Pablo Zeballos and Miguel Sabah. They moved to semifinals against 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 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 Santos Laguna, second place in the tournament. The first leg ended 1-2 with a victory for Santos, and in the second leg a 1-1 make Laguna team champions.
Apertura 2008
In the Apertura the team made a good tournament, finishing in 5th place on the Mexican league. The team won 7 games, draw 5 times and lost only 5 times. In quarterfinals they played against Pumas UNAM with a 0-0 in the first leg on the "Estadio Azul", and winning 3-1 in the second leg, on the "Estadio Olímpico Universitario 1968" leaving Pumas on the way. They moved to semifinals against Atlante, the first leg was played in Mexico City, and Cruz Azul won 3-1. In the second leg, Cruz Azul and Atlante played a regular match at Cancún, Quintana Roo, that ended 1-1, giving Cruz Azul the access to the Final for a second time in a row on 2008. In the final, Cruz Azul played against Toluca, both teams tied on winning Mexican titles (at that time with 8 each one). The first leg played on Mexico City, ended with a drastic 0-2 with a victory for visitors, Toluca, and in the second leg played at "Estadio Nemesio Díez", Cruz Azul revert the result, to make a 0-2 result, making a tie on the aggregate score "2-2", as the match was tied, they played "extra times" and the draw continued until going to the "Penalty- Shoot out", where Toluca won 7-6 over Cruz Azul, Alejandro Vela was the Cruz Azul "villain" because he failed the last "penalty shoot-out", another incident before the match went on "extra time", was a clear foul suffered by Villaluz on the Goal area, the toluca player "Jose Manuel Cruz Alta" crashed with the Cruz Azul player, making him unconscious, but the referee didn't mark the foul even the Cruz Azul player was knocked out, he didn't even take a red card on the toluca player, (unfortunately Cruz Azul had made his 3 substitutions, so they ended the match playing with only 10 players, an unfair situation, that interfered directly on the final result of the match) this make Toluca team champions winning their 9 Mexican title, becoming the 3 most winner of Mexican Title. (1.-Guadalajara "11 titles", 2.-America "10 titles", 3.-Toluca "9 titles", 4.-Cruz Azul "8 titles", 5.- Pumas UNAM "6 titles", 6.- Club León and Club Pachuca tied with "5 titles").
Clausura 2009
In the Clausura 2009, the team had the worst tournament in club history en route to a last place finish. They accumulated just 13 points from a possible 51 (17 games, wins count 3 points). The team won only 2 games, drew 7 times and lost 8 times. The Club scored 26 goals, but conceded 33, for a total goal difference of -7. The Club did not qualify for the playoffs, or Liguilla. The Club sacked their manager Benjamín Galindo with one game left in the Clausura. He was replaced for the remainder of the season by Robert Siboldi who was then coaching Cruz Azul's affiliate in Hidalgo.
Cruz Azul beat UNAM 5-0.
CONCACAF Champions League 08/09
On the CONCACAF Champions League 08/09, The team made a good tournament, on the first stage ended second on the Group A, qualifying to the final stage of playoffs, defeating on the quarter finals, the Mexican team of Pumas UNAM, by 2-0, and the on the semi final round, the played against the Puerto Rico team of Islanders, by "penalty shoot-out" at Mexico City, On the Final, against another Mexican Team, Club Atlante, they had the chance to won their 6th CONCACAF championship, but they lost the first game 0-2, then on Atlante's home they tied 0-0, losing the CONCACAF Champions League 08/09 Title, and also losing the opportunity to participate on the FIFA World Club Cup 2009, on Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
Apertura 2009
In the Apertura 2009, the team had signed Javier Cambranis, to manage the team, and signed several players, such as the best goalkeeper on the previous Mexican tournament, Jose de Jesus Corona, the Derby County Striker, Emanuel "Tito" Villa, Ramon Nuñez, Emilio Hernandez, and the team successfully ended on the second place of the regular season, they made 33 points out of 51 possibles, winning 11 games of 17 played, without any game tied, and 6 games lost, they scored a total of 35 goals, and received only 19, for a goal difference of +16, and Emanuel "Tito" Villa, was the top scorer of the tournament with 17 goals, the team qualified for the playoffs, and played against Puebla F.C. on the quarter-finals, they beat Puebla (first game 4-4, second game 3-2), and on the semi-final leg, they played against Monarcas Morelia, and they won (first game 0-0, second 2-1), and went to the final, once again, for the third time in 4 tournaments in a row, they faced Monterrey FC, but they lost the final (on the first game 3-4, and 1-2 on the second), and once again the team lost another final, remaining with just 8 league titles and 8 finals lost, making the Cruz Azul Team, the only one who has played 16 finals on Mexican Tournament, but lost half (8).[2]
CONCACAF Champions League 09/10
In the CONCACAF Champions League 09/10, the team had a good tournament, finishing first in Group C and qualifying for the final stage of playoffs. In the quarterfinals, they defeated the Panamanian team of Árabe Unido, by 4-0, and then in the semifinal round, the played against the Mexican team of Pumas UNAM, by 5-1 at Mexico City. In the Final, against another Mexican Team, Club Pachuca, they had the chance to win their 6th CONCACAF championship, winning the first game 2-1, but losing in Pachuca's home at the last minute 1-0 by the away goals rule, thus losing the opportunity to participate on the FIFA World Club Cup 2010 in the UAE.
Liga MX Clausura/Copa 2013
During this season Cruz Azul showed a slow start with questioning over Memo Vazquez possible sacking. Cruz Azul regained confidence after beating Club America in Copa MX semi finals and winning Copa MX final vs. Atlante. After Cruz Azul won the Copa MX their Liga MX performance improved and they were considered one of the contenders for the title due to a good streak. They would face bitter rivals Club America in what would be a historical final series of the "Clasico Joven." Cruz Azul dominated the series in terms of score from minute 19 of the first leg up until minute 89 of the second leg. Cruz Azul was up 2-0 in aggregate when Club America made a miraculous comeback in the minute 89 and 93 of the second leg. Club America would go on to win in PK's.
Players
First-team squad
As of 9 November 2013.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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For recent transfers, see List of Mexican football transfers winter 2013–14.
Reserve squads
- Cruz Azul Hidalgo
- Affiliate team that plays in the Ascenso MX in the second level of the Mexican league system.
- Cruz Azul Jasso
- Reserve team that plays in the Segunda División in the third level of the Mexican league system.
- Cruz Azul Dublan
- Reserve team that plays in the Tercera División in the fourth level of the Mexican league system.
- Cruz Azul Lagunas
- Reserve team that plays in the Tercera División in the fourth level of the Mexican league system.
Former players
Notable players
These list players have made baby's contributions to the club's history by either beening in the club for at least five years, made over 100 appearances, had scored over 50 goals, have received recognition by their home country in the form of caps, done a lot in a short period of time, or made significant contributions to the sport either before or after playing for the team.
- Notable players
-
Óscar Pérez a Cruz Azul notable player.
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Ricardo Osorio a Cruz Azul notable player.
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Miguel Sabah a Cruz Azul notable player.
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Emanuel Villa Argentine notable player for Cruz Azul.
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Mauro Camoranesi Italian notable player for Cruz Azul.
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Cristian Riveros Paraguayan notable player for Cruz Azul.
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José Cardozo Paraguayan notable player for Cruz Azul.
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Juan Reynoso Peruvian notable player for Cruz Azul.
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Sebatian Abreu Urugayan notable player for Cruz Azul.
Managerial history
| Dates | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1962–66 |  Jorge Marik |
First coach of Cruz Azul in First Division. |
| 1966 |  Walter Ormeño |
|
| 1966–75 | Raúl Cárdenas |
Coach with more time and winner in Cruz Azul. |
| 1975–76 | José Moncebáez |
|
| 1976 | Jorge Marik |
|
| 1976 | Alfonso Portugal |
|
| 1977–82 | Ignacio Trelles |
Good coach of Cruz Azul. |
| 1982 | Miguel Marín |
|
| 1982–83 | Enrique Meza |
Cruz Azul more occasions coach. |
| 1983–86 |  Alberto Quintano |
|
| 1986–88 | Hector Pulido |
|
| 1988 | Manuel Lapuente |
|
| 1988–90 | Mario Velarde |
|
| 1990–92 | Ignacio Prieto |
|
| July 1, 1992–Dec 31, 1992 |  Nelson Acosta |
|
| July 1, 1993–Jan 29, 1995 | Enrique Meza |
|
| 1995–96 | Luis Fernando Tena |
|
| July 1, 1996 – March 9, 1997 | Víctor Manuel Vucetich |
Won the second Mexican Cup tournament for Cruz Azul. |
| 1997 | Jesús del Muro |
|
| 1997–00 | Luis Fernando Tena |
Won the 8th Title for the team against Club León. And lost a final with Pachuca in 1999. |
| March 31, 2000–Dec 31, 2002 | José Luis Trejo |
The coach who led the final Cruz Azul in the Copa Libertadores 2001. |
| Jan 1, 2003–March 7, 2003 | Mario Carrillo |
|
| March 15, 2003 – March 7, 2004 | Enrique Meza |
|
| March 12, 2004–Oct 17, 2004 | Luis Fernando Tena |
|
| Sept 27, 2005–Dec 31, 2005 | Rubén Omar Romano |
|
| Jan 1, 2006–June 30, 2007 | Isaac Mizrahi |
|
| July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 | Sergio Markarián |
Led Cruz Azul to a final after nearly 10 years, lost against Santos Laguna. |
| July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 | Benjamín Galindo |
Lost 2 finals with Cruz Azul, (Vs. Toluca in the Mexican Tournament, and Vs. Atlante in the Final Concacaf Champions League). |
| July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2012 | Enrique Meza |
Led the team to another Mexican Tournament Final, but lost against Monterrey, and a Final Concacaf against Pachuca. |
| July 1, 2012 – December 3, 2013 | Guillermo Vázquez |
Won the third Mexican Cup tournament for Cruz Azul. |
| December 4, 2013 – Actually | Luis Fernando Tena |
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Crest
The club's crest has stayed relatively consistent since its foundation in the 1920s,[3] with the blue cross in the middle surrounded by a red circle with the club's name. As years went by and titles were won, the crest was modified to proclaim Cruz Azul's achievements. Stars were added to the crest from 1972 to the actual crest used presently, which has eight.
Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
| Season | Kit Manufacturer | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-97 | Azul Sport | Cemento Cruz Azul |
| 1997-98 | Fila | Cemento Cruz Azul/Lada |
| 1998-01 | Fila | Cemento Cruz Azul/Pepsi/Telmex |
| 2001-04 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Pepsi/Telmex |
| 2004-08 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel |
| 2008-09 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel/Sony |
| 2009-10 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Powerade/Telcel/Sony |
| 2010-11 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel |
| 2011-12 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel/Tecate/Volaris |
| 2012-13 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel/Tecate/Volaris |
| 2013-14 | Umbro | Cemento Cruz Azul/Coca Cola/Telcel/Tecate/Scotiabank |
| 2014- | Under Armour | Cemento Cruz Azul |
Honors
Domestic
- Mexican Primera División: 8
- 1968-69, México 1970, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, 1978-79, 1979-80, Invierno 1997
- Runners-up (10): 1969-70, 1980-81, 1986-87, 1988-89, 1994-95, Invierno 1999, Clausura 2008, Apertura 2008, Apertura 2009, Clausura 2013
- 1963-64
- 1968-69, 1996-97, Clausura 2013
- Runners-up (2): 1973-74, 1987-88
- 1968-69, 1973-74
- Runners-up (1): 1972
International
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup / CONCACAF Champions League: 5
- 1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997
- Runners-up (2): 2009, 2010
- Runners-up (1): 2001
- Runners-up (1): 1972
Minor trophies
- Copa Pachuca: 5
- 1997, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007
- Runners-up (2): 2000, 2005
- 400 Monterrey Tournament Champion: 1
- 1996
Friendly championships
- Fourth place (1): 2000
- Runners-up (1): 2002
- Third place (1):2008
- Copa 5 De Mayo: 1
- 2004
- Copa Panamericana 2007 (friendly tournament)
- Copa Cuauhtemoc: 1
- 2008
- Copa Aztex: 1
- 2009
- Foursquare Champion Azteca: 81
- 1981
- Burgos Tournament Champion: 1
- 1980
- Almeria Tournament Champion: 1
- 1979
Coaching staff
Listed on the official website of Cruz Azul.[4]
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Guillermo Álvarez Cuevas |
| Sports Manager | Agustín Manzo |
Source: [citation needed]
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Luis Fernando Tena |
| Assistant Coach |  Pintado |
| Assistant Coach | Salvador Reyes |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Carlos Perez |
| Team doctor | Alfonso Jiménez |
| Physical & Fitness coach |  Axel Bierbaum |
| Physiotherapist | Ernesto Rubio |
| Masseur | Antonio Ortiz |
| Masseur | Alejandro Ramírez |
| Masseur | Jesús Dávila |
| Stagehand | Pablo Coria |
| Stagehand | José Luis Coria |
| Stagehand | Silverio Rivera |
Source: [citation needed]
Nicknames
Cruz Azul has a rich variety of nicknames over its history, listed chronologically:
- Cementeros: As a result of affiliation with 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: When the team was promoted to the First Division in the mid-1960s, the stock showed a style of great speed and physical deployment, which was used together with mostly white uniforms. For these characteristics, the fans compared to players of those years with the hares which abound in the town, the nickname took hold, and to date still uses an anthropomorphic hare (for practical reasons of identification and icon) to represent Cruz Azul. Many fans believe that the mascot is a rabbit, but the board has officially declared that it is a hare.
- La Máquina: This nickname is fed by several sources of inspiration, first, was based on a rail out of the old Jasso toward Mexico City. As the team moved to the early 1970s Azteca Stadium and showed a spectacular football, dominant and effective, was combined with the image of a locomotive swept their opponents on the court. Cruz Azul who baptized the nickname of the Machine was the chronicler Rugama Angel Fernandez, another possible source of inspiration could be the comparison of this team with the River Plate machine that existed in the late 1940s. The nickname of The Machine, Machine derivatives from Celeste, Blue or Machine Cement Machine.
The Cheerleaders (Las Celestes)
The club has its official cheerleading club, 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 tradition of the club. And the only Mexican team that has as part of their group at their official cheerleaders.[5]
Popularity and rivalries
Popularity
Since its inception, the team had supporters, mainly workers of the cement. After the promoted at the first division 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 21st century according to various surveys is the third team with the most supporters in Mexico,[citation needed] behind the Club Guadalajara and Club América respectively, above the club UNAM.
- Popularity
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"La Sangre" in Concachampions.
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A store for fans of Cruz Azul.
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"La Sangre" Logo.
-
Barra in home.
Rivalries
National Rivalries:
- Main Rivalrie: vs. Club América "Clásico Joven"
- Capital City Rivalrie: vs. Pumas UNAM "Clásico Capitalino"
- Big 4 Rivalrie: vs. Club Guadalajara "Rivality Cruz Azul - Guadalajara"
- Hidalgo State Rivalrie: vs. Club Pachuca usually named "Clasico Hidalguense"
International Rivalries:
- Libertadores Rivalrie: vs. CA Boca Juniors
- Teresa Herrera Rivalrie: vs. Deportivo La Coruña
The games of Cruz Azul against these teams are surrounded by lots of fans and the history of meetings between the teams.
Records
- Cruz Azul has the distinction of being the only Mexican football club to win the North American treble - winning the League, Mexican, and North American championships in 1997.
- It is the second Mexican club with more titles at international level (5 titles in the Copa de Campeones de CONCACAF, plus a runner-Inter's Cup in 1972 and another in the Copa Libertadores de America in 2001).
- Mexican Club (Tied with Club América) with most titles in the Copa de Campeones de CONCACAF, with 5.
- Is the only team that lost 9 leagues finals (7).
- Holds the record for most consecutive wins in the history of the First Division of Mexico: 10 wins in the 1971-72 season.
- The Mexican team with the highest number of plays playoffs (43), counting rounds of reclassification.
- It is the first Mexican team in a final crown with a "golden goal" (1997).
- Champion of the first edition of the 2007 Pan American Cup, defeating Boca Juniors by 3 goals to 1.
- It is the team that has played league final (14) and lost (8), besides being the second most paradoxically end wins (6) (along with Deportivo Toluca and Pumas de la UNAM).
- It is the only team that thrashed in the final's Club América to win the league title (4 goals to 1) in the 1971–1972 season.
- It is one of the three teams in the history of the First Division of Mexico have been three-time league (succeeding in 1971-1972,1972–1973 and 1973–1974), the other two teams are Club América who did a decade later and the Club Deportivo Guadalajara.
- It is the youngest team to be champions and cup, reached only five years after his rise in the 1968–1969 season.
- It is the youngest team in making seven league titles. (Only in 15 years in Mexico's Primera División.)
Club statistics and records
Professional Era (1964 -)
- Seasons in Primera División: 61
- Seasons in 2nd Division o Primera "A": 4.
- Playoff for the title: 43
- Final for the title: 14 (71-72, 72-73, 73-74, 78-79, 79-80, 80-81, 86-87, 88-89, 94-95, Inv. 97, Inv. 99, Clau. 08, Aper. 08, Aper. 09)
- 1st place: 11
- Drops to 2nd Division o Primera "A": 0
- Promotion to the 1st Div: 1 (1963–64)
- Final position more repeated: 1st° (11 times)
- Best post in Primera División:
- In long tournaments: 1st (1968/1969, Mexico 1970, 1971/1972, 1972/1973, 1973/1974, 1978/1979, 1995/1996)
- In short tournaments: 1st (Winter 1998, Winter 2000, Apertura 2006, Apertura 2010.)
- Worse as in Primera División:
- In large tournaments: 18° to 20 teams: 1989-90
- In short tournaments: 18° to 18 teams: Clausura 2009.
- Highest score achieved :
- The national tournament: 8-2 vs. Toros Neza (1993–94).
- In international tournaments: 12-2 against the
Leslie Green in 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup and 11-0 against the 
Seattle Sounders in the 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Highest score received :
- The national tournament: 0-5 against América (1981–82).
- In international tournaments: 1-6 against the Fénix in the 2003 Copa Libertadores
- Most points in a season :
- In large tournaments: 57 (1978–79)
- In short tournaments: 40 (Winter 1998)
- Longest streak of games without losing :
- 19 (round 18 from semifinal round of 1973–74).
- Longest streak of games without losing at home
- 47 (1978–1980) (Mexican soccer record)
- Greater number of goals scored in a season :
- In large tournaments: 91 (1994–95).
- In short tournaments: 41 (Invierno 1998).
- Most wins in a season: 22, Season 1971–72
- Over the road wins in a season: 11, 1979–80 (Mexican soccer record)
- More games without getting goal: 5, season 1975–76, and 1983–84
- Most consecutive wins: 10, 1971–72 (Mexican soccer record)
- Most consecutive draws: 5, 1973–74
- More defeats: 6, Clausura 2004
- More draws in a season: 17, 1989–90
- More defeats in a season: 13, 1982–83 and 1989–90
- Most consecutive games without a win: 11, 1965–66
- Less wins in a season: 2, Clausura 2009
- Less ties in a season: 0, Apertura 2009
- Least defeats in one season: 1, Invierno 1998
- Player with the most goals in a season: Carlos Hermosillo with 35 in 1994–95
- Maximum winning titles
- Head Coach:
- Raul Cardenas 10 titles (League 1968-69, Mexico 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, Copa México 1968-69, Campeon de Campeones 1968-69 (great champion), CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1969, 1970 and 1971)
-
- Player:
- Fernando Bustos 10 titles (League 1968-69, Mexico 1970, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, Copa México 1968-69, Campeon de Campeones 1968-69 (great champion), CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1969, 1970 and 1971)
-
- Head Coach:
Stadium
The team currently plays in Estadio Azul. The stadium is located in Mexico, D.F.. The Federal District owns Estadio Azul. Currently, Cruz Azul training facilities are located at Xochimilco.
The team is planning construction of a new stadium, Nuevo Estadio Azul.
- Stadium
-
seen from a side street
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Estadio Azul from the air
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View inside the Estadio Azul
Top goalscorers
| Position | Player | Country | Period | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Carlos Hermosillo | México | 1991-98 | 169 |
| 2nd | Horacio López Salgado | México | 1971-79 | 133 |
| 3rd | Francisco Palencia | México | 1994-01 | 91 |
| 4th | Fernando Bustos | México | 1964-76 | 87 |
| 5th | Eladio Vera | Paraguay | 1971-77 | 77 |
| 6th | Pedro Duana | México | 1986-95 | 66 |
| 7th | Adrián Camacho | México | 1978-86 | 63 |
| 8th | César Delgado * | Argentina | 2003-07 | 61 |
| 9th | Rodolfo Montoya | México | 1976-81 | 55 |
| 10th | Emanuel Villa * | Argentina | 2009-12 | 54 |
| 11th | Octavio Muciño | México | 1969-73 | 51 |
| 12th | Agustín Manzo | México | 1984-89 | 50 |
| 13th | Carlos Eloir Perucci | Brazil | 1981-84 | 46 |
| 14th | Carlos Jara Saguier | Paraguay | 1978-85 | 45 |
| 15th | Héctor Pulido | México | 1964-77 | 44 |
| 16th | Miguel Sabah * | México | 2006-08 | 42 |
| 17th | Christian Giménez ** | Argentina | 2010- | 40 |
| 18th | Sebastián Abreu * | Uruguay | 2002-03 | 37 |
| 19th | Armando Romero | México | 1981-90 | 36 |
| 20th | Patricio Hernández | Argentina | 1988-90 | 34 |
| 21th | Ángel Morales | Argentina | 1999-02 | 33 |
| 22th | Julio Alberto Zamora | Argentina | 1993-96 | 32 |
| 23th | Javier Orozco | México | 2008-13 | 29 |
| 24th | Julio César Pinheiro | Brazil | 1999-03 | 27 |
| 25th | Mariano Pavone | Argentina | 2012- | 27 |
(*) Active Player (**) Cruz Azul Active Player
Tournament Top Scorers
- Horacio López Salgado 25 Goals in "1974-75"
- Carlos Hermosillo 28 Goals in "1993-94"
- Carlos Hermosillo 35 Goals in "1994-95"
- Carlos Hermosillo 26 Goals in "1995-96"
- Sebastián Abreu 19 Goals in "Verano 2002"
- Emanuel Villa 17 Goals in "Apertura 2009"
References
- ↑ "Esmas.com". Esmas.com. 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ "Cruz-azul.com.mx". Cruz-azul.com.mx. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ "Cruz Azul crest history". Maquina-azul.com. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ http://www.cruzazulfc.com
- ↑ "Resultados-futbol.com". Retrieved 2012-01-10.
External links
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