2023–24 Cruz Azul season

The 2023–24 Cruz Azul season is the 64th season in the football club's history and the 60th consecutive season in the top flight of Mexican football. Cruz Azul will compete in Liga MX and the Leagues Cup.

Cruz Azul
2023–24 season
Sporting directorÓscar Pérez
ManagerRicardo Ferretti
(until 7 August)
Joaquín Moreno
(from 7 August)
StadiumAzteca
Liga MXApertura: 17th
Clausura: TBD
Leagues CupRound of 32
Top goalscorerLeague:
Uriel Antuna (2)

All:
Uriel Antuna (3)
Highest home attendance36,500 v América
(2 September 2023)
Lowest home attendance11,053 vs Santos Laguna
(20 August 2023)
Average home league attendance21,163
Biggest win1–2 v Monterrey
(27 August 2023)
Biggest defeat2–0 v Atlas
(1 July 2023)
0–2 v Toluca
(8 July 2023)

This season will be the first without captain José de Jesús Corona, who will be leaving the club after 14 years (since 2009–10 as a first team player).[1] It will also be the first season since 2005–06 without the center-back Julio César Domínguez.[2]

Kits

Season overview

May

On 31 May, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez were called up to the Mexico national team squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[3]

June

On 1 June, Rafael Guerrero and Rodrigo Huescas were called up to the Mexico national under-23 team for friendlies in Europe and the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.[4]

On 27 June, the Leagues Cup announced Cruz Azul's first match against Inter Miami would be rescheduled as the tournament's inaugural match due to Inter Miami's high-profile signings of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.[5]

July

On 5 July, Ivan Morales' contract was rescinded and he became a free agent.[6]

Willer Ditta did not travel with the team to the United States for the first Leagues Cup match due to work visa issues.[7] On 24 July, Cruz Azul announced Ditta obtained his visa and would travel to join the team.[8]

Rodrigo Huescas was subbed out in the 30th minute of the match against Inter Miami due to injury. On 24 July, Cruz Azul announced Huescas had suffered a sprain in his right MCL.[9]

August

On 7 August, Cruz Azul announced they had parted ways with manager Ricardo Ferretti and would appoint assistant coach Joaquín Moreno as manager for the remainder of the Apertura 2023 season.

September

On 1 September, Uriel Antuna and Carlos Rodríguez were called up to the Mexico national team squad for friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan. Érik Lira and Rodrigo Huescas were called up to the Mexico national under-23 team for friendlies against Colombia under-23.[10] Rafael Guerrero was called up to the Mexico national under-20 team for friendlies against Argentine Primera División clubs.[11]

First-team coaching staff

Apertura 2023 Rounds 1–3, Leagues Cup
Position Name Nationality Year appointed Last club/team References
Manager Ricardo Ferretti  Brazil 2023 Mexico FC Juárez (as manager)
Assistant Coaches Guillermo Vázquez  Mexico 2023 Mexico Necaxa (as manager)
Joaquín Moreno  Mexico 2023 Mexico Cruz Azul (as interim manager)
Enrique Cruz  Mexico 2023 Mexico Pachuca (as assistant manager)
Medic Juan José Pérez  Mexico 2021 Mexico Veracruz
Ernesto Prado  Mexico 2015 Mexico Cruz Azul Hidalgo
José Morales Ángeles  Mexico 2023 None
Fitness trainer Guillermo Orta  Mexico 2023 Mexico FC Juárez
Kinesiologist Juan Rubio  Mexico 2009
Paolo Arriaga  Mexico 2023 Mexico Veracruz
Apertura 2023 Rounds 4–
Position Name Nationality Year appointed Last club/team References
Manager Joaquín Moreno  Mexico 2023 Mexico Cruz Azul (as assistant coach)
Assistant Coaches Joel Huiqui  Mexico 2023 Mexico Cruz Azul U23 (as manager)
Enrique Cruz  Mexico 2023 Mexico Pachuca (as assistant manager)
Medic Juan José Pérez  Mexico 2021 Mexico Veracruz
Ernesto Prado  Mexico 2015 Mexico Cruz Azul Hidalgo
José Morales Ángeles  Mexico 2023 None
Fitness trainer Fernando Ramos  Mexico 2023 Mexico Leones Negros
Kinesiologist Juan Rubio  Mexico 2009
Paolo Arriaga  Mexico 2023 Mexico Veracruz

Players

Squad information

No. Pos. Nat. Name Age Signed in Previous club
3 DF Mexico Carlos Salcedo (vice-captain) 30 2023 Mexico FC Juárez
4 DF Colombia Willer Ditta 26 2023 Argentina Newell's Old Boys
5 MF Colombia Kevin Castaño 23 2023 Colombia Águilas Doradas
6 MF Mexico Erik Lira 23 2022 (Winter) Mexico Pumas UNAM
7 MF Mexico Uriel Antuna 26 2022 (Winter) Mexico Guadalajara
8 MF Mexico Jesús Dueñas 34 2023 Mexico FC Juárez
9 FW Mexico Ángel Sepúlveda 32 2023 Mexico Querétaro
10 FW Brazil Moisés Vieira 27 2023 Brazil Fortaleza
14 MF Mexico Alexis Gutiérrez 23 2023 (Winter) Mexico Tapatío
15 MF Uruguay Ignacio Rivero (vice-captain) 31 2020 Mexico Tijuana
17 MF Mexico Alonso Escoboza 30 2022 Mexico Necaxa
18 MF Mexico Rodrigo Huescas 20 2021 Youth system
19 MF Mexico Carlos Rodríguez 26 2022 (Winter) Mexico Monterrey
24 DF Paraguay Juan Escobar (captain) 28 2019 Paraguay Cerro Porteño
25 GK Mexico Sebastián Jurado 26 2020 (Winter) Mexico Veracruz
26 DF Mexico Carlos Vargas 23 2023 (Winter) Mexico Mazatlán
28 FW Colombia Diber Cambindo 27 2023 Colombia Independiente Medellín
29 FW Argentina Carlos Rotondi 26 2022 Argentina Defensa y Justicia
30 GK Mexico Andrés Gudiño 26 2019 Mexico Tepatitlán
31 DF Mexico Luis Iturbide 21 2023 Youth system
32 DF Mexico Cristian Jiménez 21 2023 Youth system
33 DF Mexico Rafael Guerrero 20 2023 Youth system
  • Last updated: 29 August 2023
  • Source: ligamx.net and cfcruzazul.com
  • Notes: The club can have a maximum of nine foreign players in their squad.

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

Pre-season and friendlies

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Matches

14 June 2023 Friendly Pumas UNAM Mexico 1–0 Mexico Cruz Azul Coyoacán, Mexico City
Del Prete Stadium: Cantera
21 June 2023 Friendly Cruz Azul Mexico 3–1 Mexico Juárez Xochimilco, Mexico City
9:00 CDT
Report Stadium: La Noria
Attendance: 0
24 June 2023 Friendly América Mexico 3–1 Mexico Cruz Azul Coapa, Mexico City
10:00 CDT Report Moisés Stadium: Coapa
Attendance: 0

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Apertura 2023 1 July 2023 Matchday 1 7 1 1 5 7 13 −6 014.29
Clausura 2024 January 2024 Matchday 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
Leagues Cup 21 July 2023 3 August 2023 Group stage Round of 32 3 0 2 1 2 3 −1 000.00
Total 10 1 3 6 9 16 −7 010.00

Last updated: 2 September 2023
Source: Mediotiempo.com

Torneo Apertura

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
14 Santos Laguna 12 4 2 6 20 26 6 14
15 Mazatlán 13 3 4 6 18 22 4 13
16 Puebla 13 3 3 7 12 20 8 12[lower-alpha 1]
17 Cruz Azul 13 3 2 8 17 26 9 11
18 Necaxa (Y) 13 1 5 7 13 24 11 8
Updated to match(es) played on 25 October 2023. Source: Liga MX
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results between tied teams; 5) Number of goals scored away; 6) Highest relegation coefficient; 7) Fair Play points
(Y) Cannot qualify for the Quarter-finals, but may still qualify for the Play-in round.
Notes:
  1. Puebla was penalized for having unregistered assistant coach Luis Miguel Noriega on the bench in their Week 7 match against Tijuana. Puebla originally won the match 3–0 and was awarded to Tijuana as a 1–0 victory.[32]
Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
7 1 1 5 7 13  −6 4 0 1 2 4 7  −3 1 0 3 3 6  −3

Last updated: 2 September 2023.
Source:

Results round by round
Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617
GroundAHAHAAHAHAAHAHHAH
ResultLLLDLWL
Position17181818181617
Updated to match(es) played on 2 September 2023. Source: Mediotiempo.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

The league fixtures were announced on 8 June 2023.[33]

1 July 2023 1 Atlas 2–0 Cruz Azul Guadalajara
21:10 CDT
Report
Referee Report
Stadium: Jalisco
Attendance: 20,169
Referee: Víctor Cáceres Hernández
8 July 2023 2 Cruz Azul 0–2 Toluca Mexico City
17:50 CDT
Referee Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 15,936
Referee: Ismael López Peñuelas
14 July 2023 3 Tijuana 2–1 Cruz Azul Tijuana
20:00 PDT
21:00 CDT
Referee Report
Stadium: Caliente
Attendance: 28,333
Referee: Edgar Allan Morales
20 August 2023 4 Cruz Azul 2–2 Santos Laguna Mexico City
17:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 11,053
Referee: Marco Antonio Ortiz
23 August 2023 5 Pachuca 1–0 Cruz Azul Pachuca
19:06 CDT
Report
Stadium: Hidalgo
Attendance: 8,242
Referee: Jesus Rafael Lopez Valle
27 August 2023 6 Monterrey 1–2 Cruz Azul Guadalupe
20:10 CDT
Report
Stadium: BBVA
Attendance: 42,313
Referee: César Arturo Ramos
2 September 2023 7 Cruz Azul 2–3 América Mexico City
21:10 CDT
Report
Stadium: Azteca
Attendance: 36,500
Referee: Daniel Quintero Huitrón
15 September 2023 8 Mazatlán v Cruz Azul Mazatlán
18:00 PDT
19:00 CDT
Stadium: Mazatlán
24 September 2023 9 Cruz Azul v Querétaro Mexico City
16:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
1 October 2023 10 Atlético San Luis v Cruz Azul San Luis Potosí
17:00 CDT Stadium: Alfonso Lastras
4 October 2023 11 Necaxa v Cruz Azul Aguascalientes
19:00 CDT Stadium: Victoria
7 October 2023 12 Cruz Azul v Pumas UNAM Mexico City
21:05 CDT Stadium: Azteca
21 October 2023 13 Tigres UANL v Cruz Azul San Nicolás de los Garza
21:05 CDT Stadium: Universitario
28 October 2023 14 Cruz Azul v León Mexico City
17:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
1 November 2023 15 Cruz Azul v Juárez Mexico City
19:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca
4 November 2023 16 Guadalajara v Cruz Azul Zapopan
21:05 CDT Stadium: Akron
12 November 2023 17 Cruz Azul v Puebla Mexico City
18:00 CDT Stadium: Azteca

Leagues Cup

Group stage

Pos Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification MIA CAZ ATL
1 United States Inter Miami CF 2 2 0 0 0 6 1 +5 6 Advance to knockout stage 4–0
2 Mexico Cruz Azul 2 0 1 0 1 2 3 1 2 1–2 1–1
3 United States Atlanta United FC 2 0 0 1 1 1 5 4 1
Source: Leagues Cup
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
21 July 2023 (2023-07-21) 1 Cruz Azul Mexico 1–2 United States Inter Miami Fort Lauderdale, United States
20:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: DRV PNK
Attendance: 20,512
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
29 July 2023 (2023-07-29) 3 Cruz Azul Mexico 1–1
(5–4 p)
United States Atlanta United Atlanta, United States
19:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz
Attendance: 41,108
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)
Penalties

Knockout phase

Round of 32
3 August 2023 Charlotte United States 0−0
(4−3 p)
Mexico Cruz Azul Frisco, Texas, United States
19:30 UTC−5
Report
Stadium: Toyota
Attendance: 6,844
Referee: Ismael Cornejo Meléndez (El Salvador)
Penalties
Note: Match played at neutral site due to scheduling conflicts at Charlotte FC's home stadium Bank of America Stadium and a lack of approved venues in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

Players with no appearances are not included on the list.

As of matches played 2 September 2023
No. Pos Nat Player TotalApertura 2023Clausura 2024Leagues Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
25 GK Mexico MEX Sebastián Jurado 50400010
30 GK Mexico MEX Andrés Gudiño 603+100020
Defenders
3 DF Mexico MEX Carlos Salcedo 100700030
4 DF Colombia COL Willer Ditta 70500020
24 DF Paraguay PAR Juan Escobar 8050002+10
31 DF Mexico MEX Luis Iturbide 10100000
33 DF Mexico MEX Rafael Guerrero 400+300010
191 DF Mexico MEX Raymundo Rubio[lower-alpha 1] 100+100000
205 DF Mexico MEX Josué Díaz[lower-alpha 1] 100+100000
229 DF Mexico MEX Alan Zubiri[lower-alpha 1] 10100000
Midfielders
5 MF Colombia COL Kevin Castaño 6040000+20
6 MF Mexico MEX Érik Lira 8070000+10
8 MF Mexico MEX Jesús Dueñas 600+300030
14 MF Mexico MEX Alexis Gutiérrez 10100000
15 MF Uruguay URU Ignacio Rivero 914+210030
17 MF Mexico MEX Alonso Escoboza 100+100000
18 MF Mexico MEX Rodrigo Huescas 704+200010
19 MF Mexico MEX Carlos Rodríguez 70400030
32 MF Mexico MEX Cristian Jiménez 302+100000
Forwards
7 FW Mexico MEX Uriel Antuna 73420031
9 FW Mexico MEX Ángel Sepúlveda 100+100000
10 FW Brazil BRA Moisés Vieira 1025+210031
28 FW Colombia COL Diber Cambindo 9272001+10
29 FW Argentina ARG Carlos Rotondi 101710030
Players transferred out during the season
11 FW Uruguay URU Christian Tabó 803+30000+20
21 FW Argentina ARG Augusto Lotti 601+20002+10

Source: Competitions

  1. Player is registered with the under-23 team.

Goalscorers

Includes all competitive matches.

As of matches played 2 September 2023
Rank Pos. No. Player Liga Apertura Liga Clausura Leagues Cup Total
1FW7Mexico Uriel Antuna2013
2FW28Colombia Diber Cambindo2002
FW10Brazil Moisés Vieira1012
3MF15Uruguay Ignacio Rivero1001
FW29Argentina Carlos Rotondi1001
Own Goals0000
Total7029

Sources: Soccerway, Liga MX

Clean sheets

The list is sorted by shirt number when total clean sheets are equal. Numbers in parentheses represent games where both goalkeepers participated and both kept a clean sheet; the number in parentheses is awarded to the goalkeeper who was substituted on, whilst a full clean sheet is awarded to the goalkeeper who was on the field at the start of play.

Clean sheets
No. Player Games Played Goals Against Apertura 2023 Clausura 2023 Leagues Cup Total
30Mexico Andrés Gudiño6 80011
25Mexico Sebastián Jurado5 80000
Totals 160011

Disciplinary record

As of 2 September 2023
No. Pos. Nat. Name Apertura 2023 Clausura 2024 Leagues Cup Total
Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card
3 DF Mexico Carlos Salcedo 213
4 DF Colombia Willer Ditta 314
5 DF Colombia Kevin Castaño
6 MF Mexico Erik Lira
7 FW Mexico Uriel Antuna 112
8 MF Mexico Jesús Dueñas 22
10 FW Brazil Moisés
11 FW Uruguay Christian Tabó
14 MF Mexico Alexis Gutiérrez
15 MF Uruguay Ignacio Rivero 22
17 MF Mexico Alonso Escoboza
18 MF Mexico Rodrigo Huescas 11
19 MF Mexico Carlos Rodríguez 1111
21 FW Argentina Augusto Lotti
24 DF Paraguay Juan Escobar 314
25 GK Mexico Sebastián Jurado 1111
26 DF Mexico Carlos Vargas
28 FW Colombia Diber Cambindo 33
29 FW Argentina Carlos Rotondi 22
30 GK Mexico Andrés Gudiño 22
31 DF Mexico Luis Iturbide 11
32 DF Mexico Cristian Jiménez 11
33 DF Mexico Rafael Guerrero 11
Totals 24020006003002

Source: Liga MX
Ordered by Red card, Second yellow card and Yellow card
Yellow card = Number of bookings; Second yellow card = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; Red card = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.

    Injury record

    No. Pos. Nat. Name Type Status Source Match Inj. Date Ret. Date
    26 DF Mexico Carlos Vargas Right ACL tear [34] vs Tigres UANL 4 February 2023 TBD
    18 MF Mexico Rodrigo Huescas Right MCL sprain [9] vs Inter Miami 21 July 2023 20 August 2023
    17 MF Mexico Alonso Escoboza Rib injury [35] in training 12 August 2023 TBD
    3 DF Mexico Carlos Salcedo Adductor magnus muscle injury vs Monterrey 27 August 2023 2 September 2023


    References

    1. "Jesús Corona se despide de Cruz Azul: Vivimos alegrías y tristezas, pero siempre con honestidad". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 23 June 2023.
    2. "Cruz Azul: Cata Domínguez se despide del club con emotiva carta: 'Gracias por cumplir mi sueño'". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 7 June 2023.
    3. "Selección Mexicana: Se confirma convocatoria para la Copa Oro". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 19 June 2023.
    4. "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-23 Gira Europea". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 1 June 2023.
    5. "Leagues Cup hace ajustes y partido inaugural será Messi e Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul". espndeportes.espn.com (in Spanish). 27 June 2023.
    6. "Cruz Azul liberó plaza de NFM de Iván Morales, baja número 11". espndeportes.com (in Spanish). 5 July 2023.
    7. "Cruz Azul confirma que Willer Ditta aún no cuenta con visa para entrar a EU y jugar Leagues Cup". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 20 July 2023.
    8. "Willer Ditta ya tiene visa y podría ser titular ante Atlanta". mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 24 July 2023.
    9. "Rodrigo Huescas se perderá la Leagues Cup por lesión". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 24 July 2023.
    10. "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-23". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 4 September 2023.
    11. "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-20". miseleccion.mx (in Spanish). 1 September 2023.
    12. "Cruz Azul hace oficial fichaje de Carlos Salcedo". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 16 June 2023.
    13. "¡OFICIAL! Cruz Azul anunció el fichaje del brasileño Moisés Vieira, su segundo refuerzo para el Apertura 2023". foxsports.com.mx (in Spanish). 16 June 2023.
    14. "Cruz Azul hace oficial el fichaje de Diber Cambindo". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 21 June 2023.
    15. "Cruz Azul anuncia oficialmente la incorporación de Kevin Castaño". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 27 June 2023.
    16. "Willer Ditta ya firmó con Cruz Azul". mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 6 July 2023.
    17. "Cruz Azul confirma el fichaje de Jesús Dueñas". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 13 July 2023.
    18. "¡Oficial! Ángel Sepúlveda es nuevo jugador de Cruz Azul". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 29 August 2023.
    19. "Michael Estrada, primera baja rumbo al Apertura 2023". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 May 2023.
    20. "Cruz Azul anuncia la salida de Gonzalo Carneiro". eluniversal.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 May 2023.
    21. "Shaggy Martínez, tercera baja oficial de La Máquina". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 11 May 2023.
    22. "Cruz Azul confirm departure of River Plate-linked Funes Mori". en.as.com. 17 May 2023.
    23. "Ex Cruz Azul: Jaiber Jiménez fue el que decidió no renovar..." vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com (in Spanish). 14 May 2023.
    24. "Sigue la limpia de jugadores en la Noria, Jaiber Jiménez deja el equipo". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 18 May 2023.
    25. "Cruz Azul confirmó el adiós del Cata Domínguez con emotivo video". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 27 May 2023.
    26. "Jordan Silva deja a la Máquina para unirse al Atlético de San Luis". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 10 June 2023.
    27. "¡Oficial! Rafael Baca se va de Cruz Azul y es la séptima baja oficial del equipo de cara al Apertura 2023". vprosports.mx/ (in Spanish). 13 June 2023.
    28. "Ramiro Carrera sale de prestamo de Cruz Azul para el Atlético Tucumán". tvazteca.com (in Spanish). 20 June 2023.
    29. "¡Oficial! Cruz Azul y Jesús Corona anuncian su separación en la Liga MX". marca.com (in Spanish). 23 June 2023.
    30. "Augusto Lotti sale de Cruz Azul cedido a Lanús". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 12 August 2023.
    31. "Christian Tabó, nuevo refuerzo de Pumas de la UNAM". espn.com.mx (in Spanish). 29 August 2023.
    32. "Puebla pierde partido contra Xolos por alineación indebida". as.com (in Spanish). 14 September 2023.
    33. "La Liga MX presentó el calendario del Apertura 2023; ¿cómo se jugará?". mediotiempo.com (in Spanish). 8 June 2023.
    34. "La lesión que le arruinó a Carlos Vargas el Clausura 2023" [The injury that ruined Carlos Vargas' Clausura 2023 season]. mexico.as.com (in Spanish). 6 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
    35. "Alonso Escoboza estará fuera de las canchas tras tener una contusión en la costilla". record.com.mx (in Spanish). 12 August 2023.
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