Mexico City's Cruz Azul is in a rough patch. A 3-3 draw against Pumas UNAM at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Saturday extended the club's winless run to four matches across all competitions, and the timing couldn't be worse. With the Apertura regular season winding down, La Máquina is sliding in the standings and its once-promising campaign is starting to wobble.
Defensive woes and a growing winless streak
The troubles began shortly after a high-scoring win over archrival Club América in mid-September. Since then, Cruz Azul has lost to Inter Miami in the Campeones Cup final, fallen to Monterrey in league play, and given up leads in back-to-back draws against Toluca and Pumas. Over the last three Liga MX matches, the team has conceded nine goals—a number that would alarm any coaching staff.
Manager Joel Huiqui has to find answers quickly. The attacking unit is still producing goals, but the backline has become porous. Set pieces and defensive transitions have been especially problematic, and opponents are exploiting those weaknesses with regularity.
Standings pressure and playoff implications
With 17 points from 11 matchdays, Cruz Azul sits seventh in the Liga MX table. That position would force the club into the play-in round rather than securing a direct spot in the quarterfinals. For a team that started the season with title ambitions, that's a significant drop-off.
The draw against Pumas was particularly frustrating because Cruz Azul led twice. Each time, Pumas found a way back, and the final equalizer came late, leaving the visiting fans in the stands at the Olímpico Universitario shaking their heads. The result also snapped a two-game winning streak against Pumas in league play, adding to the sting.
Huiqui's tactical adjustments will be crucial in the coming weeks. He needs to stabilize the defense without sacrificing the attacking rhythm that has kept the team in games. Individual errors in the back have been costly, and the coaching staff is under pressure to correct them before the postseason picture becomes even more complicated.
There is precedent for teams turning things around after a rough stretch, but Cruz Azul's recent history includes champion syndrome—the tendency to stumble when expectations are high. The club's fanbase is passionate and demanding, and the pressure is mounting with each dropped point.
Looking ahead, the remaining fixtures include matches against teams fighting for playoff spots, so every point matters. The coaching staff must rebuild confidence and unity, especially after conceding late goals in consecutive games. The players need to rediscover the defensive solidity that characterized their early-season form.
For now, Cruz Azul's immediate goal is to stop the bleeding. A win in the next match would go a long way toward calming nerves, but the schedule doesn't get easier. The team's ability to adapt will determine whether it can secure a top-six finish and avoid the unpredictability of the play-in round.
As the Apertura enters its decisive stretch, Cruz Azul's season hangs in the balance. The talent is there, but the results aren't. Whether Huiqui can turn things around will define this campaign.
