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Can Cruz Azul contend for the Clausura title?

By Thomas Buckley

Cruz Azul players trudge off the pitch after losing to Atlético San Luis at Estadio Azteca last season. The Cementeros have been in a funk since losing the Apertura 2018 Finals (Photo by Carlos Ramirez/Getty Images)
Cruz Azul players trudge off the pitch after losing to Atlético San Luis at Estadio Azteca last season. The Cementeros have been in a funk since losing the Apertura 2018 Finals (Photo by Carlos Ramirez/Getty Images) /
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Cruz Azul in a funk
America players celebrate after taking a late 2-0 lead against Cruz Azul in the second leg of the Apertura 2018 Finals. The Cemeteros have never really recovered from that December 2018 loss. (Photo by ROCIO VAZQUEZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

Cruz Azul spun out of control after crushing Finals loss

Just over a year ago, Cruz Azul finished atop the regular-season standings and rode the No. 1 seed to the Apertura 2018 Finals only to lose to bitter rivals América. The Cementeros have never really recovered.

The following season, Cruz Azul earned the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, but were knocked out in the first round – again by América. Last season, the Cementeros struggled with injuries and poor coaching, falling well short of a playoff spot.

Coach Pedro Caixinha was fired mid-season then front office chaos emerged, turning Cruz Azul into a head-shaking soap opera. General manager Ricardo Peláez – now in charge of the Chivas – resigned when he was not allowed to pick the new coach and details of financial misdeeds began to trickle out. A former team executive inserted himself into the maelstrom. This all came as team president “Billy” Álvarez survived a court challenge to his leadership after which he was forced to deny whispers of embezzlement.

Cruz Azul played out the string as the front office wrestling match continued and disgruntled fans stopped attending home games at Estadio Azteca. As the winter transfer window opened the club still did not have a general manager even though a thorough house-cleaning was in order.

Almost a month after the Apertura 2019 ended and just three weeks before the Clausura 2020 kicked off, Jaime Ordiales was presented as the new Cruz Azul general manager. He would have to move fast to overhaul the club’s roster, but pundits wondered whether he would have any real authority to make decisions.

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