Winning isn't everything. For fans of Cruz Azul, that’s not just a coping mechanism; it’s a lifestyle choice. If you follow Liga MX even casually, you know the deal. You’ve heard the jokes. You know the verb cruzazulear—that cruel, linguistic invention used to describe the act of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at the very last second.
But honestly? Reducing this club to a meme is lazy.
Cruz Azul is one of the "Four Greats" of Mexican soccer for a reason. They aren't just a team; they are a massive, cement-backed institution that mirrors the chaotic, resilient spirit of Mexico City itself. Whether they are playing at the iconic Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes or the massive Estadio Azteca, the vibe is always high-stakes. People care. They care deeply.
The Ghost of the Drought and the 2021 Breakthrough
For 23 years, being a Cruz Azul supporter was a test of faith. From 1997 to 2021, the club went through a dry spell that felt less like a sports slump and more like a Greek tragedy. They reached finals. They dominated regular seasons. Then, inevitably, something would go sideways.
The 2013 final against América is the one that still makes grown men cry in CDMX. Leading in the final minutes, they conceded a goal to the opposing goalkeeper, Moisés Muñoz, and lost on penalties. It was a psychic wound.
Then came May 30, 2021.
Under Juan Reynoso—a man who had captained them to their '97 title—the "La Máquina" finally broke the curse. It wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism. Jonathan "Cabecita" Rodríguez scored the goal against Santos Laguna that changed everything. The streets surrounding the Angel of Independence weren't just crowded; they were vibrating. It proved that the club wasn't actually cursed. They were just... complicated.
More Than Just a Team: The Cooperativa Connection
You can't talk about Cruz Azul without talking about cement. Unlike most clubs owned by media conglomerates or eccentric billionaires, this team is owned by Cooperativa La Cruz Azul S.C.L., one of the largest worker-owned cooperatives in the world.
This creates a weird, fascinating dynamic.
The team's identity is blue-collar. It’s built on the backs of workers. However, this structure has also led to some of the most public and messy boardroom battles in sports history. For years, the legal drama surrounding Billy Álvarez—the long-time director who eventually became a fugitive from the law—overshadowed the players on the pitch. It’s a lot. Imagine your favorite team being caught in a mix of a sports drama and a corporate thriller like Succession.
The fans just want to see a winning 4-4-2 formation. Instead, they get audits and frozen bank accounts. Yet, they stay.
Why the "La Máquina" Nickname?
Back in the 1970s, the team was so dominant they were dubbed "The Blue Machine." They weren't just winning; they were processing opponents like industrial equipment. They won six league titles in that decade alone. That’s the standard. That’s the ghost every modern squad is chasing. If you aren't dominant, you're failing the heritage of Miguel Marín, the "Superman" goalkeeper who defined that era.
The Martin Anselmi Era: A New Philosophy
Right now, there's a different energy around the Noria training grounds. The appointment of Martín Anselmi as manager signaled a shift toward a more modern, tactical approach. Anselmi isn't a "legacy" guy. He's a student of the game who wants to play a high-pressing, possession-based style that actually looks fun to watch.
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It’s working, mostly.
The fans are fickle, though. You can't blame them. When you've been hurt as many times as a Celeste supporter, you don't trust a winning streak until the trophy is literally being hoisted. But the recruitment has improved. Bringing in guys like Giorgos Giakoumakis—a Greek striker with a nose for goal—shows a willingness to look outside the traditional South American markets that Liga MX usually relies on.
Realities of the Mexican League System
The Liguilla is a monster. In Mexico, you can finish first in the table and still get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. This format is Cruz Azul’s best friend and worst enemy.
- The regular season: Basically a long seeding process.
- The Liguilla: A high-variance knockout tournament where anything happens.
- The pressure: It is ten times higher for the big four (Cruz Azul, América, Chivas, Pumas).
Critics say the system rewards mediocrity because half the league makes the playoffs. Supporters of Cruz Azul will tell you it just makes every mistake feel like a catastrophe.
Debunking the "Choke Artist" Narrative
Is cruzazulear real? Sorta. But the stats tell a more nuanced story. Cruz Azul is consistently in the top five for points earned over the last decade. They produce top-tier talent like Santiago Giménez, who went from their youth academy to tearing up the Eredivisie with Feyenoord.
The "choke" narrative ignores the fact that you have to be consistently excellent to even get into the positions where a late-game collapse is possible. Most teams in Liga MX would kill for the "failure" of losing a final.
How to Follow La Máquina Properly
If you're looking to jump on the bandwagon, or just want to understand your neighbor who wears the blue jersey every Saturday, here is the deal:
- Watch the Clásico Joven: The rivalry with Club América is the one that matters. It’s wealthy vs. worker, North vs. South of the city. It’s intense.
- Learn the anthems: It’s not just about the songs; it's about the "Lealtad" (Loyalty).
- Check the youth ranks: The academy at La Noria is world-class. Watch for the next "Santi" Giménez.
- Embrace the chaos: If they go up 2-0 in the 80th minute, don't turn off the TV. That’s when the real game starts.
The Path Forward for Cruz Azul
The club is currently in a rebuilding phase that feels more stable than previous attempts. The focus on a clear sporting director (like Iván Alonso) and a modern coach is a departure from the "hire a big name and pray" strategy of the 2010s.
To stay relevant, they need to solve the stadium issue. Bouncing between the Azteca and the old stadium in Colonia Noche Buena is tough for the identity. They need a home they own—a true "Blue Fortress."
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For anyone looking to truly understand the soul of Mexican football, you have to look at Cruz Azul. They are the perfect representation of the sport: beautiful, frustrating, occasionally heartbreaking, but impossible to ignore. They aren't just a soccer team. They’re a 90-minute stress test that millions of people willingly take every single week.
Next Steps for the Savvy Fan
To get the most out of following Cruz Azul, start by tracking their Expected Goals (xG) metrics under Anselmi; it reveals a much more dominant team than the scorelines sometimes suggest. If you're looking for merchandise, avoid the generic resellers and look for the official Pirma kits, which have returned to a more classic, "clean" aesthetic that fans actually like. Finally, follow local beat reporters on social media for news on the proposed new stadium construction in the Tlalpan or Naucalpan areas, as this will be the biggest institutional move the club makes in the next five years.