The Day Cruz Azul Was Born: A Historical Lookback

The Cement Workers Who Created a Football Dynasty

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-498-DEP
Published in 10-21-2024

The Cement Machine, as Cruz Azul is popularly known, is one of the most iconic teams in Mexican soccer. Its roots lie deep in Mexico's industrial history, and its history has been marked by great successes and unforgettable moments.

The Beginnings: A Cement Company and Sports
1881: The history dates back to the founding of the cement company, owned by the Englishman Henry Gibbon.
1927: The cooperative's workers begin to play sports, including soccer. On May 22, 1927, this soccer club was officially founded by the commercial company Cooperativa La Cruz Azul SCL in Jasso, Hidalgo.
1932: The company was transformed into a Mexican cooperative society, laying the foundations for the future of the club. 192 workers from the Cooperativa Cruz Azul affiliated the soccer club to the First Amateur Division, in the Hidalgo region.


The Birth of "Club Deportivo Cruz Azul"
Official Foundation: The club was formally founded in Jasso, Hidalgo.
First Matches: The team began to play matches in the region, obtaining important victories.
Promotion to the First Division:
In 1961, the team received an invitation from the Committee of the Second Division of Mexican soccer, thanks to all the triumphs given in a semi-professional way. Success in the 2nd Division was not long in coming, reaching the semi-finals in the 1961-62 season.

Successes and Evolution Throughout History

1964: In the 63-64 season, Cruz Azul achieved its first championship in the 2nd Division by defeating Club Zamora and thus being promoted to the First Division.
1969: After 5 years of promotion, Cruz Azul achieved the feat, winning its first title under the leadership of Raúl Cárdenas as technical director.

1970s: The team maintains its competitive level and continues to add titles to its showcases, beating Pachuca at the Estadio 10 de Diciembre (Cruz Azul's home since its beginnings in Hidalgo), thus achieving its second league title. With players like "Halcón" Peña, Héctor Pulido, Fernando Bustos and "Kalimán" Guzmán.
By 1971 The light blue squad moved to the "Azteca Stadium" sharing the field with traditional teams like América, Atlante and Atlético Español.
In 1972 The machine achieved an international title, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, in addition to the arrival of its third title by defeating the Águilas del América.
In 1973 The Machine's fourth title arrived, beating the emerald team, "El León" in three games with a dream performance by Kalimán Guzmán.
In 1974 Atlético Español also succumbed in the final against Cruz Azul, reaching the fifth championship, the "three-time championship" for the machine.
In 1975 Raúl Cárdenas would say goodbye as coach of the cement team, leaving indelible marks in the history of the team. But the great legend Ignacio Trelles would take over as helmsman, beginning another golden era. Cruz Azul was champion again, defeating the Pumas of the UNAM with a renewed team with Lugo, Mendizábal, Rubio and Camacho.

1980s: Cruz Azul goes through a transitional stage, with ups and downs in its performance. But with a dream defense with Marín in goal, Nacho Flores, Cornero, Toribio and Mora, in 1980 the Máquina won its seventh title against Tigres de la UANL.
In 1981 The great Miguel Marín, who had suffered a heart attack in December 1980, said goodbye to the cement fans in a match against Club Guadalajara. Even without Gato Marín, Cruz Azul would reach its third consecutive final, but the Pumas UNAM would get their revenge.
In 1987 after several years of being in the final playoffs with former players as coaches, such as Miguel Marín, Enrique Meza, Héctor Pulido and Alberto Quintano, Cruz Azul would reach another final with Chivas del Guadalajara. In the end, the Chiverío would take the title.
In 1989 a renewed Cruz Azul with Pablo Larios in goal and Mario Velarde as helmsman, would reach another epic final with América, where the blue-cream team would take the title with a global score of 5-4 at the end of the era, beating the machine.

1990s: The 90s were a decade of contrasts for Cruz Azul. Although the team demonstrated overwhelming dominance in Mexican soccer, reaching multiple finals and winning various international titles, the fans' obsession with the league title in the short tournament (new 6-month format per league) became a growing frustration. In 1995 with a last-minute goal by "Lupillo Castañeda" against Pumas, he gave the team from Cement a pass to the final. Against the team of the 90's, Necaxa, Cruz Azul would lose another final, with goals from Ivo Basay and Alex Aguinaga, which would give Necaxa its first title.
In 1997 After a drought in the playoffs, players such as Benjamín Galindo, Héctor Adomaitis, Jorge Campos and Nicolás Navarro, Carlos Hermosillo and Julio César Yegros were added. Another great final came against the emerald squad of the "León", where the eighth league title would come with a goal from Carlos Hermosillo from a penalty. It was the first time that the "Golden Goal" format was used, where the game automatically ended after a goal in overtime.

Ultimately, and with new faces such as Matute Morales, Diego Latorre and Pinherio, another final would be reached in 1999 against Pachuca. Already at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium, Cruz Azul's new home after leaving the Azteca, the machine would lose another final against the Tuzos, beginning a title drought that would last for 23 long years.

Legacy and future:
Throughout its history, Cruz Azul has left an indelible mark on Mexican soccer. Its passion, dedication and tradition make it one of the most beloved and followed teams in the country. Despite the ups and downs, the sky-blue fans continue to dream of new titles and an era of glory for their team.

An icon of Mexican football: Cruz Azul is one of the great teams in Mexican football, with a history that goes back several decades. Its rivalry with teams like América and Chivas has generated great moments in the history of national football.
A symbol of passion and dedication:Cruz Azul fans are known for their passion and unconditional dedication to the team, even in the most difficult moments. This passion has made Cruz Azul a symbol of the connection between a team and its followers.
Representation of a social class:Historically, Cruz Azul has been associated with the working class, which has generated a strong identification among fans who feel represented by the team's values.
A cultural phenomenon: Beyond sport, Cruz Azul has transcended and become a cultural phenomenon. The word "cruzazulear" has entered everyday language to describe situations in which one is close to achieving a goal, but ends up failing.
A team that unites: Cruz Azul is able to unite people of different origins and ages around a common goal: the success of the team.

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