Cruz Azul manager Pedro Caixinha will head into work this week knowing he has the pieces to build a team capable of competing in Liga MX. Prior to a 3-1 victory Saturday over Chivas, he had to have had his doubts. After a subpar draw with Tijuana in Round 1 and a Copa MX defeat to a second-division team (the champions of the division but a second-division team all the same), Cruz Azul needed a result and found one this weekend.
Players new to La Maquina and veterans contributed to the effort. After Chivas took an early lead, Cruz Azul rallied after halftime to put in three unanswered with a double from Felipe Mora sandwiching a stunning left-footed goal from midfielder Rafa Baca.