History of Cruz Azul in Timeline
Cruz Azul, a professional football club in Mexico City, competes in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football. They will face Club America in the finals on Sunday, May 26, 2024.
1923: Mexico National Football Team Debut
Carlos Garces López played in Mexico's debut series of official international matches against Guatemala in 1923 as part of the newly formed national football team.
1924: National Team Selection
Carlos Garces López was selected for the Mexico national team for the 1924 athletics and football events.
1925: Proposal for a Company Baseball Team
In 1925, Cemento Cruz Azul considered establishing a company baseball team due to the sport's popularity in Jasso.
March 22, 1927: Establishment of the Football Team
On March 22, 1927, an election favored football over baseball as the company's main sport, leading to the replacement of the baseball diamond with a football pitch and the official establishment of the Cruz Azul football team two months later on May 22, with Garces López as head coach.
1928: Second National Team Appearance
Carlos Garces López was again part of the Mexico national team for the 1928 athletics and football events.
March 1, 1931: Acquisition by La Tolteca
Cemento Cruz Azul faced bankruptcy due to the Great Depression and was bought by La Tolteca for 1 million pesos on March 1, 1931.
October 15, 1931: Workers' Lawsuit
Anticipating liquidation, 192 Cemento Cruz Azul workers unionized and sued the company's executives to prevent the property transfer scheduled for October 15, 1931.
1931: Álvarez Macías' Early Career
Guillermo Álvarez Macías started working at the cooperative at the age of 12 in 1931 after his father's death, gradually rising through the ranks over two decades.
May 21, 1932: Worker Ownership
On May 21, 1932, the governor of Hidalgo ruled in favor of the workers, granting them collective ownership of the plant under the condition of a 1.3 million peso payment to the state over 10 years.
1932: Start of a Winning Streak
From 1932 to 1943, Cemento Cruz Azul won 15 consecutive league titles in an amateur league in Hidalgo, showcasing their early dominance in the sport.
January 29, 1934: Cooperative Reestablishment
The company was reestablished as a cooperative named Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L on January 29, 1934.
1937: Growing Popularity and Guillermo Álvarez Macías' Involvement
By 1937, Cruz Azul had gained a significant following in both Hidalgo and Mexico City, and Guillermo Álvarez Macías, a key figure in the club's history, began playing as a midfielder during this period.
November 2, 1941: Debt Settlement and Match Celebration
Cruz Azul settled its debt of 1.3 million pesos on November 2, 1941, marking 10 years of worker ownership, and celebrated with a match against R.C. España that ended in a 0-0 draw.
1943: End of a Winning Streak
Cemento Cruz Azul's impressive streak of 15 consecutive league titles in Hidalgo came to an end in 1943.
December 10, 1953: Guillermo Álvarez Macías Appointed General Manager
Guillermo Álvarez Macías, who had been with the cooperative since 1931, was appointed general manager of Cemento Cruz Azul on December 10, 1953.
1958: Lobbying for Federation Membership
Team captain Luis Velázquez Hernández advocated for Cruz Azul's official membership in the Mexican Football Federation in 1958, a move met with resistance from Álvarez Macías who believed the club wasn't ready for professional football.
1960: Acquisition of Lafayette and Stadium Plans
Cruz Azul purchased the struggling club Lafayette in 1960 to serve as their reserve team and initiated plans to construct a stadium that met the Mexican Football Federation's standards.
1960: Invitation to Copa de la Segunda División de México
In 1960, Cruz Azul, despite lacking federation membership, was invited to participate in the Copa de la Segunda División de México thanks to personal connections.
April 2, 1961: Cruz Azul's Debut Game
On April 2, 1961, Cruz Azul played their first game ever against Zamora in Jasso, winning 2-1.
April 9, 1961: Cruz Azul's Second Leg Match
On April 9, 1961, Cruz Azul drew 3-3 in the second leg of their debut game against Zamora.
1961: Professional Registration
Cruz Azul officially registered as a professional team to compete in the second-tier professional league for the 1961-62 season.
1961: Jorge Marik Becomes Manager
Jorge Marik, a Hungarian coach with experience managing Atlas and Atlante, became Cruz Azul's manager in 1961.
1961: Construction Begins on Estadio 10 de Diciembre
Construction of Estadio 10 de Diciembre commenced in 1961 as part of the club's preparation for federation membership.
1963: Promotion to Primera División
In 1963, Cruz Azul achieved promotion to Primera División after winning the 1963-64 Mexican Segunda División season under Jorge Marik's leadership.
1963: Completion of Estadio 10 de Diciembre
The construction of Estadio 10 de Diciembre was completed in 1963, marking a significant step in the club's development and their path towards professional football.
March 6, 1964: Estadio 10 de Diciembre Renovations
On March 6, 1964, Estadio 10 de Diciembre underwent renovations to meet regulations, including rebuilding wooden stands and dressing rooms.
1964: First Season in Top Flight
Cruz Azul finished their inaugural season in the top flight, the 1964–65 Mexican Primera División season, in 8th place with a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses.
1965: Marik Leaves, Ormeño Takes Over
Jorge Marik left Cruz Azul after the 1965–66 Mexican Primera División season due to poor results. Walter Ormeño served as the interim coach for 3 games before Raúl Cárdenas took over.
October 20, 1966: Raúl Cárdenas Becomes Manager
Cruz Azul appointed Raúl Cárdenas as their manager on October 20, 1966, succeeding Walter Ormeño.
1968: Cruz Azul Achieves Historic Treble
In a remarkable feat, Cruz Azul, under Raúl Cárdenas's guidance, accomplished a historic treble in 1968 by securing their first Copa México title, their first Primera División title, and their first CONCACAF Champions' Cup victory, becoming the first team in Mexico and the CONCACAF region to achieve this.
1968: Continental Treble Achievement
During the 1968–69 season, Cruz Azul achieved a rare Continental Treble, becoming the first CONCACAF club (and third worldwide) to win the Mexican Primera División championship, the Copa México national tournament, and the CONCACAF Champions League.
1969: Second Place Finish
Cruz Azul finished as runners-up in the 1969–70 Mexican Primera División season.
December 15, 1970: Cruz Azul Awarded CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Cruz Azul were awarded the 1970 CONCACAF Champions' Cup on December 15, 1970, after Saprissa and Transvaal withdrew from the competition.
1970: Dominance in Primera División
Between 1970 and 1980, Cruz Azul asserted their dominance in Primera División by winning six league tournament championships. This period of success solidified their nickname as "La Máquina Celeste" (The Blue Machine), which remains one of the team's official nicknames.
1971: Cruz Azul Modifies Crest to Reflect Success
After the 1971-1972 season, Cruz Azul's crest underwent a modification to celebrate their achievements. The updated design incorporated a larger blue circle or frame that prominently displayed eight stars, each representing a Liga MX championship win.
1971: Move to Mexico City
In 1971, Cruz Azul officially moved to Mexico City, where they had already established a significant presence.
December 18, 1976: Death of Guillermo Álvarez Macías
Guillermo Álvarez Macías, a prominent figure, passed away from a heart attack on December 18, 1976, at the age of 56.
1980: End of an Era
Cruz Azul's dominant era, during which they won six championships between 1970 and 1980, came to an end, marking a significant period in the club's history.
1988: Hermosillo's Impact at América
Carlos Hermosillo played a pivotal role in Club América's league championship victory against Cruz Azul in the 1988-89 season.
1988: Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas Takes Charge
In 1988, Guillermo Héctor Álvarez Cuevas, son of the late Guillermo Álvarez Macías, assumed leadership roles as general manager of Cemento Cruz Azul and president of Cruz Azul.
1991: Carlos Hermosillo Joins Cruz Azul
In 1991, Cruz Azul made a significant signing by acquiring Carlos Hermosillo, a prominent figure in Club América's history. Hermosillo's arrival was met with mixed reactions from supporters due to his association with a rival team.
1993: Hermosillo's Scoring Prowess
Carlos Hermosillo quickly became an indispensable player for Cruz Azul and earned the title of the league's top goal scorer for three consecutive years: 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96, scoring an impressive 27, 35, and 26 goals respectively.
1994: League Final Appearance
In the 1994-95 season, Cruz Azul secured a third-place finish in the league standings and reached the league final for the first time in six years. However, they faced defeat against Necaxa with a 3-1 aggregate score.
1994: Hermosillo's Scoring Prowess
Carlos Hermosillo quickly became an indispensable player for Cruz Azul and earned the title of the league's top goal scorer for three consecutive years: 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96, scoring an impressive 27, 35, and 26 goals respectively.
1995: Hermosillo's Scoring Prowess
Carlos Hermosillo quickly became an indispensable player for Cruz Azul and earned the title of the league's top goal scorer for three consecutive years: 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96, scoring an impressive 27, 35, and 26 goals respectively.
1996: Ending the Championship Drought
Cruz Azul ended their 16-year championship drought in 1996. They achieved victory in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup under the guidance of manager Víctor Manuel Vucetich and also clinched the Copa México title, defeating Toros Neza 2-0 at Estadio 10 de Diciembre.
1996: Relocation to Estadio Azul
Cruz Azul moved to the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in 1996, which was later renamed Estadio Azul.
August 24, 1997: Consecutive CONCACAF Champions' Cup Title
Cruz Azul, led by manager Luis Fernando Tena, secured their second consecutive CONCACAF Champions' Cup title on August 24, 1997, by defeating LA Galaxy 5-3 in the final.
December 7, 1997: Invierno 1997 League Title and Continental Treble
On December 7, 1997, Cruz Azul, who had secured a second-place finish in the league standings, triumphed in the Invierno 1997 league tournament, defeating league leaders León with a golden goal. This victory marked the end of the club's 17-year league title drought and secured their second continental treble.
1997: Cruz Azul's Crest Reflects Continued Success
By the end of the 1997 season, Cruz Azul had further distinguished their crest, showcasing their continued success by prominently displaying eight stars, each representing a Liga MX championship win.
1997: The "Cruz Azul Curse" Begins
Following their last championship win in 1997, Cruz Azul entered a prolonged period without a Mexican league title, a period that would last until 2021. This period, marked by several near misses and lost finals, became known as the "Cruz Azul curse." Comparisons were drawn to other sporting droughts, like those experienced by Bayer Leverkusen (Neverkusen), the Boston Red Sox (Curse of the Bambino), and the Chicago Cubs (Curse of the Billy Goat). The term "cruzazulear" even entered Mexican slang, signifying choking or losing a game despite having victory within reach.
1998: Participation in Copa Libertadores
From 1998 to 2017, Cruz Azul, along with other top Liga MX clubs, was invited to participate in the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club competition in South American football.
2001: Invitation to Copa Libertadores Qualifying Tournament
In 2001, Cruz Azul received an invitation to compete in a qualifying tournament featuring select Mexican and Venezuelan teams for a chance to earn a spot in the prestigious Copa Libertadores, a tournament showcasing the best teams from South America.
2001: Copa Libertadores Runners-Up
In 2001, Cruz Azul became the first CONCACAF team to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, but lost on penalties to Argentine football giants Boca Juniors.
2001: Reaching the Copa Libertadores Final
As a seeded team in the 2001 Copa Libertadores, Cruz Azul displayed their prowess by advancing to the final match. They topped Group 7, which included Sao Caetano, Defensor Sporting, and Olmedo, with an impressive 13 points.
2004: Cruz Azul Introduces Cheerleading Squad, "Las Celestes"
In a unique move, Cruz Azul integrated an official cheerleading squad, known as "Las Celestes," into their organization in 2004. This makes them the only Mexican team to incorporate cheerleaders as official members, adding a distinctive element to their pre-match and halftime entertainment.
July 16, 2005: Abduction of Rubén Omar Romano
On July 16, 2005, Cruz Azul manager Rubén Omar Romano was abducted after leaving a pre-season practice session. He was cornered by two stolen vehicles and taken by five men. A ransom note demanding $500,000 from Romano's family was found later. Isaac Mizrahi, the assistant coach, took over the team's management during Romano's absence.
2005: Romano's Return and Mizrahi's Appointment
After 65 days of captivity, Rubén Omar Romano was located and rescued unharmed. Federal agents apprehended seven individuals involved in the kidnapping, who were reportedly acting on the orders of convicted abductor Jose Luis Canchola. However, during Romano's abduction, Cruz Azul opted not to renew his contract and instead offered the manager position to Isaac Mizrahi, who had shown impressive results. Romano expressed feelings of betrayal and his friendship with Mizrahi was strained.
2008: Cruz Azul's Apertura 2008 Performance
Cruz Azul finished 5th in the Apertura 2008 season with 7 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses.
2008: Cruz Azul's Second Place Finish and Playoff Run in Clausura 2008
Cruz Azul had a strong showing in the Clausura 2008 season, finishing second in the league. They made it to the finals after a series of victories against Jaguares and San Luis. However, they lost in the final against Santos Laguna with a 3-2 aggregate score.
2008: Cruz Azul in the 2008-2009 CONCACAF Champions League
Despite finishing as league runner-ups and qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League, Cruz Azul ended up as runners-up in the tournament in 2008 after losing to Atlante in the final.
2009: Cruz Azul's Comeback and Playoff Run in Apertura 2009
After a disappointing Clausura 2009 season, Cruz Azul bounced back in the Apertura 2009, finishing second in the regular season with the help of new manager Enrique Meza and new players like Jose de Jesus Corona and Emanuel "Tito" Villa, who became the tournament's top scorer. Despite making it to the finals, they lost to Monterrey.
2009: Cruz Azul's Worst Season in Clausura 2009
Cruz Azul experienced their worst season in the club's history in the Clausura 2009, finishing last in the league after winning only two games out of 17. This led to manager Benjamín Galindo being sacked and replaced by Robert Siboldi.
2009: Start of Cruz Azul's Journey in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League
Cruz Azul started strong in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League, finishing first in their group during the group stage.
2010: Another Close Call in the CONCACAF Champions League
Cruz Azul missed out on a chance to win their 6th CONCACAF Championship title and participate in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup after losing to Pachuca in the final game of the tournament due to the away goals rule.
April 2012: Cruz Azul Shortens Official Name
In April 2012, Cruz Azul simplified their official name from "Club Deportivo, Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, A.C." to "Cruz Azul Fútbol Club, A.C.".
2013: "Cruzazulear" Emerges
Around 2013, the term "cruzazulear" started being used to describe Cruz Azul's unfortunate tendency to lose games after being in a winning position, highlighting their struggle to secure victories despite their strong position in the league.
2013: Copa MX Victory and a Heartbreaking Loss Against Club América in 2013
Cruz Azul won the Copa MX against Atlante in 2013, which boosted their performance in Liga MX, making them a top contender. They faced Club América in the finals but lost in a penalty shootout after a last-minute comeback from Club América.
2013: Another Copa MX Final Win
Cruz Azul won the Copa MX in 2013, marking another victory for the club in this tournament.
2013: Rematch of the Clausura 2013 Final
The Apertura 2018 Final was a repeat of the Clausura 2013 final, where Cruz Azul also faced off against Club América.
April 23, 2014: Cruz Azul Wins 6th CONCACAF Championship
Cruz Azul won their sixth CONCACAF championship on April 23, 2014, after beating Toluca. This victory ended their 17-year trophy drought and secured them a place in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, where they finished fourth.
2014: A Period of Struggle: Failing to Qualify for Playoffs
From Clausura 2014 to Clausura 2017, Cruz Azul faced difficulties qualifying for the liguilla playoffs for six consecutive tournaments.
2014: Club World Ranking
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics ranked Cruz Azul as the 99th-best club globally and the third-best in CONCACAF in its 2014 Club World Ranking.
November 2017: Return to Liguilla and Paco Jémez's Departure
Cruz Azul qualified for the liguilla playoffs in Apertura 2017 for the first time in three years, but their run ended in the quarterfinals against América. Manager Paco Jémez's contract was not renewed following the season.
2017: Return to Estadio Azteca
In 2017, after 22 years, Cruz Azul returned to Estadio Azteca, the nation's largest sports venue, following the 2017–18 Liga MX season.
2017: End of Copa Libertadores Participation
Cruz Azul's participation in the Copa Libertadores, which began in 1998, ended in 2017.
May 2018: Changes in Leadership and a Disappointing Clausura 2018 Season
Cruz Azul finished 12th in Liga MX Clausura 2018, missing the playoffs and finishing last in their Copa MX group. This led to director of football Eduardo de la Torre being replaced by Ricardo Peláez.
December 2018: Another Loss to Club América Extends the Championship Drought
The Apertura 2018 final saw another face-off between Cruz Azul and Club América, mirroring the 2013 Clausura final. Despite a draw in the first leg, Cruz Azul was defeated 2-0 in the second, extending their league championship drought to over two decades.
2018: Victory in the Apertura 2018 Copa MX Final
Cruz Azul defeated Monterrey 2-0 in the Apertura 2018 Copa MX Final, securing their first trophy in the tournament since 2013.
2018: Cruz Azul Returns to Estadio Azteca
In 2018, Cruz Azul marked their return to Estadio Azteca, ending their 22-year stint at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, a stadium slated for demolition. The team also indicated plans to construct a new stadium, although specific details like location remain undeveloped.
May 2020: Guillermo Alvarez Indicted on Multiple Charges
In May 2020, Mexican authorities indicted Guillermo Alvarez Cuevas, the then president of Cruz Azul, on serious charges including insurance fraud, racketeering, extortion, tax evasion, and money laundering.
August 2020: Guillermo Alvarez Resigns Amidst Controversy
Following his indictment and an arrest warrant issued in July, Guillermo Alvarez resigned from his position as president of Cruz Azul in August 2020 after a 32-year tenure.
December 6, 2020: Cruz Azul Suffers Shocking Loss to UNAM
On December 6, 2020, despite holding a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg, Cruz Azul experienced a devastating 0-4 defeat against UNAM in the second semi-final leg of the Guardianes 2020 Liga MX final phase. UNAM's victory in their week 17 match earlier in the season earned them the tiebreaker, securing their place in the final.
2020: "Cruzazulear" Officially Recognized
In 2020, the term "cruzazulear," which describes losing a game from a winning position, gained official recognition by the Royal Spanish Academy, solidifying Cruz Azul's unfortunate association with this phenomenon and further solidifying their reputation for falling short.
May 30, 2021: Cruz Azul Ends 23-Year Championship Drought
On May 30, 2021, Cruz Azul triumphed over Santos Laguna with a 2-1 aggregate victory at Estadio Azteca, clinching their ninth league championship. This victory marked the end of a 23-year championship drought, a period during which they had reached but lost seven finals.
June 2, 2021: Guillermo Alvarez Remains At Large
As of June 2, 2021, Guillermo Alvarez, the former president of Cruz Azul, remained at large and wanted by Interpol in 195 countries.