Let's be honest about Cruz Azul Femenil. For a long time, the women’s side of La Máquina felt like an afterthought. While the men's team was busy breaking their decades-long "curse" in 2021, the women were often stuck in a loop of mid-table finishes and early exits. It was frustrating for fans. You’ve got one of the biggest brands in North American soccer, a massive history, and yet the investment in the Liga MX Femenil side just didn't seem to match the prestige of the crest. But things are shifting. You can feel it in the way they’re recruiting and how they’re handling their home matches at La Noria.
The story of Cruz Azul Femenil isn't just about scores. It's about a club trying to find its soul in a league that exploded in popularity much faster than many executives expected. When Liga MX Femenil launched in 2017, some clubs went all-in immediately—think Tigres and Monterrey. Cruz Azul? They took a more cautious, perhaps overly "traditional" route. That slow start created a gap. Now, we are watching them try to close that gap in real-time, and it’s arguably the most interesting project in Mexico right now.
The Struggles of the Early Years
In the beginning, Cruz Azul Femenil was basically a ghost. They weren't playing at the big stadiums. They weren't getting the primetime TV slots. During those first few seasons, the roster was primarily made up of domestic talent, which is great for development, but they lacked the "star power" to compete with the giants of the north.
It was rough.
I remember looking at the standings in 2018 and 2019 and seeing them finish double-digit points behind the leaders. The defense was often porous. The attack relied too heavily on individual brilliance rather than a cohesive system. But you have to give credit to the pioneers like Natalia Enciso. She’s a name that doesn't get enough love outside of the hardcore fanbase. Enciso was there from the start, a constant through the coaching carousels and the lean years. She represented the "Aguante"—the endurance—of a squad that was playing for the love of the game more than the paycheck.
Breaking the Liguilla Barrier
The real turning point? The Apertura 2021. This was the first time Cruz Azul Femenil actually made it to the Liguilla (the playoffs). It felt like a massive weight had been lifted off the institution. Carlos Pérez was the manager then, and he managed to instill a grit that the team previously lacked. They didn't win the title, obviously, losing to Tigres in the quarterfinals, but they proved they belonged in the conversation.
That season changed the internal perception of the team. Suddenly, the board started looking at international signings more seriously. They realized that you can't just "participate" in Liga MX Femenil anymore. The league had become too competitive. If you aren't moving forward, you’re moving backward.
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The Big Shift: Transfers and Ambition
Recently, the club has been much more aggressive. Bringing in players like Meghan Cavanaugh or the South African international Hildah Magaia wasn't just about filling slots on a roster. It was a statement. When you bring in a World Cup player like Magaia, you're telling the league that Cruz Azul is no longer content with being a "developmental" team.
Magaia is a perfect example of what was missing. She’s fast. She’s clinical. Most importantly, she brings a level of professionalism and international experience that rubs off on the younger Mexican players. You see kids like Ximena Ríos or Renata Huerta playing with more confidence because they have veterans to lean on.
However, it hasn't been a straight line to success. There’s still a weird inconsistency. One week they’ll go toe-to-toe with Club América in a Clásico Joven, and the next they’ll drop points to a team at the bottom of the table. It’s that old Cruz Azul DNA—the "Cruzazulear" factor—that fans are desperate to scrub away from the women’s team before it becomes a permanent part of their identity.
The Venue Dilemma
One thing that still bugs a lot of people is the stadium situation. While the men play at the massive Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, the women are mostly tucked away at the Instalaciones de la Noria. Don't get me wrong, La Noria is the heart of the club. It's where the history lives. But for a team to grow its brand, it needs the big stage.
There is a massive difference in "vibe" when the team gets to play at a major stadium. The atmosphere changes. The pressure changes. Fans have been vocal about wanting more matches scheduled at the main stadium, especially for the high-profile games. It's a logistical hurdle, sure, but if you want to be a "Grande," you have to act like one.
Tactically Speaking: What’s Actually Happening on the Pitch?
If you watch a Cruz Azul Femenil match today compared to three years ago, the tactical evolution is obvious. They used to be a "long ball and pray" type of team. Very direct, very disorganized.
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Now, there is a clear emphasis on building from the back. The midfields are more crowded, and there is a genuine attempt to maintain possession.
- They use a lot of inverted wingers to create space for overlapping fullbacks.
- The pressing triggers are much more coordinated.
- There is a heavy reliance on set-piece delivery, which has become a secret weapon for them.
It's not always pretty. Honestly, sometimes it’s downright stressful to watch them try to play out of a high press. But the intent is there. They are trying to play modern, European-style football. This shift is largely due to the influence of sporting directors who are finally prioritizing the women's sporting project as a distinct entity rather than just a requirement for their FIFA licensing.
Why People Misunderstand This Team
The biggest misconception? That the players don't care as much because they aren't the "main" team. That’s total nonsense. If anything, the women’s team plays with a chip on its shoulder. They know they are fighting for resources. They know they are fighting for eyes.
Another mistake people make is comparing them purely to the men's history. The women's team doesn't carry the "70 years of history" baggage. They are writing their own script. When you talk to the fans at the gates of La Noria, they aren't talking about 1997 or the 70s glory days. They are talking about making the next semi-final. They are talking about beating Chivas. It’s a much more "now" focused culture.
What Needs to Happen Next
For Cruz Azul Femenil to actually win a trophy, a few things need to align.
First, the turnover has to stop. You can't change 40% of the roster and the coaching staff every two seasons and expect to build chemistry. Look at the successful teams. They have a core that stays together for three, four, five years. Cruz Azul needs to identify their "untouchables" and build around them long-term.
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Second, the scouting network needs to expand into South America even more. The Brazilian and Colombian markets are gold mines for talent that fits the Liga MX style perfectly. We've seen flashes of this, but it needs to be the standard.
Lastly, the fans have to keep showing up. The attendance numbers for the women's league in Mexico are some of the best in the world, but Cruz Azul sometimes lags behind the Monterrey teams in terms of raw "noise" and presence.
The path is there. The investment is finally showing up. The talent is on the pitch. Now, it's just about the execution.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
If you want to actually support the growth of the team and stay informed, here is how you do it without just being a "casual" observer:
- Watch the away games on ViX or Fox Sports. TV ratings are the primary metric the club uses to justify increased spending on the women's side. If the numbers are high, the budget grows.
- Follow the youth categories. The Sub-19 team is where the future of the senior squad is being built. Players like those coming through the academy are the ones who will eventually provide the "homegrown" depth needed to win championships.
- Engage with the independent media. There are several great podcasts and social media accounts run by fans who only cover the women's team. They provide much deeper insight than the mainstream sports news outlets which often only report the final score.
- Attend a match at La Noria. If you are in Mexico City, go. It’s an intimate experience that you don't get at the big stadiums, and the players genuinely interact with the fans there.
The era of Cruz Azul Femenil being a "silent" participant in the league is over. Whether they become a powerhouse or stay a mid-table threat depends entirely on the consistency of the next two years. It's a fascinating time to be a follower of the Celeste.