Cruz Azul, the biggest challenge of my career: Nicolás Larcamón

▲ The Argentine says it's possible to build a team for the ages. Photo @cruzazul

Alberto Aceves

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, p. a12

If Cruz Azul's only priority is competing and winning championships—goals that allow some clubs to reach finals and others not—Argentine Nicolás Larcamón believes it is possible to build a team for the ages. " It's the biggest challenge of my career ," he reiterated upon being officially introduced as head of the technical team at a press conference held at the La Máquina corporate offices in southern Mexico City, but which is being replicated in real time across various sites and platforms with thousands of online users.

Larcamón's responses not only define objectives, but also the circumstances and character, and it's this concoction that transforms an institutional event with dozens of cameras and microphones into a catalog of infinite possibilities. Regardless of the immediate precedent, a club of this magnitude always has the responsibility to win championships. The challenge for us is to achieve a Cruz Azul of the era. We are entrusted with building something that will remain in the memory of our journey for many years to come , he affirms regarding the recent triumph in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and what he envisions from now on.

Although football thrives on mystery, the 40-year-old former footballer—with a degree in physical education and experience as an architect—tries to minimize the unexpected with his usual coaching staff: Javier Berges (technical assistant), Miguel Vásquez (analyst), and Juan Cruz Mónaco (physical trainer). This group will be joined, on an institutional basis, by former U-21 coach and assistant during Vicente Sánchez's time, Joel Huiqui. "This is the third tournament in which Cruz Azul expresses many of the things I identify with in the game ," the Argentine emphasizes. "It's a huge club, and I feel a great honor to wear these colors."

With the exception of those currently competing with their national teams, the rest of the Cruz Azul squad, champions of CONCACAF and semifinalists in last season's Liga MX, will report to La Noria this Tuesday. Larcamón has been working for a few days on selecting reinforcements and departures. I'm very satisfied with the quality of the squad we have. Naturally, we'll be dedicated to adjusting and improving for the demanding levels we'll face. I don't feel like I have to change everything or do the same thing as before. The advantage for me, as a coach, is that the identity of this team represents me , he explains.

The former manager of Puebla, León, and Necaxa—teams he coached in the final stages with a smaller budget—is trying to escape the pressure Cruz Azul faces to win the league again. The last time they achieved this feat was in 2021, in a final that ended a 24-year streak without a title. Although he has coached in other countries such as Venezuela, Chile, and Brazil throughout his career, Larcamón is putting this new challenge, which begins at La Noria, on the map.

The biggest process of my career has begun. I offer the fans a huge commitment, loyalty, my hard work, and the ambition to be a dominant club, as they deserve ," he concludes.

▲ José Luis Doctor assures that they will have to reinvent themselves and look for options to get on the podium. Photo AFP

Adriana Díaz Reyes

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, p. a12

The elimination of the 20-kilometer and mixed relay events from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games was a hard blow for Mexican walkers. After collecting seven of the 10 medals in the discipline over that distance, the race walkers have had to reinvent themselves and seek opportunities to reach the podium.

"It's a shame that such traditional events are being taken away, not only in Mexico but around the world. I don't agree with what was decided, but we can't do anything as athletes, and we have to adapt to the changes ," said runner José Luis Doctor.

This isn't the first time race walking has been modified from the Olympic program. In Tokyo 2021, the historic 50-kilometer event was eliminated after having been included since Los Angeles in 1932.

This blow will be difficult to assimilate, especially for the medalists. I don't understand the purpose of the changes because first they removed the 50 kilometers, then they competed in mixed relays, and now they'll compete for medals in a new half-marathon race walk. We'll have to double our efforts and learn throughout the cycle , Doctor added.

The intention of the changes, World Athletics justified, is to make the events more understandable for amateurs and encourage more people to take up the sport. The idea is to compare the times for the walk with those achieved in races so that fans can appreciate the value of completing a half marathon in under one hour and 20 minutes for men and one and a half hours for women.

These changes had already been proposed since the Tokyo Olympics. The athletes' commission attempted to have some events honored, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) apparently rejected the proposal. It's a real shame that such highly attended events can no longer be seen in Los Angeles.

Central American 20-kilometer specialist and medalist Noel Chama hasn't lost hope for good news in the years leading up to the Olympics.

Let's see what the athletes' commission can do. I hope they make some changes, and if not, we'll have to adjust the entire training program to be able to aspire to be a national team member. I find it very strange that they've changed everything so radically; it's like a lack of respect for events with a long tradition.

The walker will emphasize mental work to overcome discontent over the recent changes.

Race walking also underwent changes in the U-20 category, as the traditional 10,000 meters will be replaced by the 5,000 meters starting with the world championships in that category, to be held in Eugene in 2026.

For the World Athletics Championships, to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, the 20 and 35-kilometer events will still be held.

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, p. a31

Mexican coach Luis Fernando Tena achieved his first Gold Cup victory with Guatemala's 1-0 win over Jamaica.

A solitary goal from Óscar Santis in the 32nd minute gave the Guatemalans the victory at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The victory was special because just a few days ago Guatemala lost 3-0 to the Reggae Boys in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

Tena's team showed defensive solidity and control of the game, defeating the favorite to earn their first three points in Group C.

The Caribbean team persistently sought an equalizer, but ran into a solid Guatemalan defense and timely interventions from goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, a key figure in the match.

Guatemala will play Panama in its next match, and will conclude the first phase against Guadeloupe on June 24.

We hope to play good football against such strong opponents. We're at a very good level, preparing very conscientiously , said the Mexican coach about the Cup.

Guatemala has two runner-up finishes in the competition (1965 and 1969); however, it has not advanced to the semifinals since 1996.

On the other hand, Panama arrived at the Gold Cup hoping to capture the CONCACAF regional championship title that has eluded them three times.

Yesterday, coach Thomas Christiansen's team started off on a high note, particularly in the first half, to beat Guadalupe 5-2, with a brace from striker Ismael Díaz in the Group C opener in Carson, California.

Panama entered the competition with significant absences, including midfielders Édgar Bárcenas and Adalberto Carrasquilla, as well as forwards Cecilio Waterman and José Fajardo due to injuries. However, the Panamanian team, runners-up in 2005, 2013, and 2023, presented itself as one of the contenders to go far again, and they made it clear.

Panama will face Guatemala in its second match on Friday, while Jamaica will face Guadeloupe.