C.F. Monterrey

Monterrey

Full name

Club de Fútbol Monterrey

Nickname(s)

Los Rayados (The Striped Ones)
La Pandilla (The Gang)
Los Albiazules (The White-and-Blues)

Founded

28 June 1945

Ground

Estadio BBVA Bancomer

Capacity

53,500^[1]

Owner

Chairman

Manager

League

Clausura 2015

9th

Website

Club home page

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León. Founded on 28 June 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico, and currently play in the Liga MX.The club is owned by FEMSA, Latin America's largest bottling company. Home games are played in the Estadio BBVA Bancomer since August 2, 2015, where they inaugurated the stadium with a 3–0 win over S.L. Benfica.

The club has enjoyed success in recent years, winning 4 league titles in 1986, 2003, 2009 and 2010; a Copa México in 1991, and winning three straight CONCACAF Champions League tournaments in 2011, 2012 and 2013, being the only North American team along with Cruz Azul to have successfully defended the trophy three times. The team is commonly known as the Rayados (the striped ones), due to the club's traditional navy blue striped uniform, reflected in the club's current crest, which is also decorated with stars above representing the club's league titles and stars below representing continental titles, in terms of overall performance it is the best Mexican club at the FIFA Club World Cup, with a 4th place ranking in the all-time table.

The club's oldest rival is Tigres UANL of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, against whom the local derby, known as the Clásico Regiomontano is played every season, it is known for being one of the most intense and competed derbies in Mexican football, and is widely regarded as the most important Mexican derby after the Clásico Nacional.

History

1940s–50s

Club's match in 1945.

At the end of World War II, a group of industrial businessmen headed by Ramón Cárdenas Coronado, Enrique Ayala Medina, Paul C. Probert, Rogelio Cantú Gómez and Miguel Margáín Zozaya, decided to create the Club de Fútbol Monterrey.

The team's nickname was popularly accepted, after the team's uniform, which is traditionally white with navy blue vertical stripes. Although the original uniform was white with a diagonal blue upper shoulder, the stripes were inspired in 1965, when the Tampico Madero (nicknamed "Jaibas Bravas", or Brave crabs) football team wore them, and the Monterrey team adopted them. Since, the home uniform consists of vertical blue and white striped jerseys with blue shorts.

In its first professional game, played 19 August 1945 against San Sebastián de León, Monterrey won 1–0, with José "Che" Gómez scoring the winner. That joy quickly came to an end, first by losing 6–0 to Montezuma, and then having the club's travelling bus involved in a tragic accident in the San Juan de los Lagos roads that would take the lives of many of the club's players and had a big impact on the surviving players. The other Mexican clubs in solidarity loaned players to Monterrey in order to continue playing the tournament, but the club struggled nevertheless losing 21 games in a row and allowing in 121 goals that year, finishing last in the league. Due to these events, the club decided to stop playing in the league in 1946 in honor to the players who died.

It was not until 1952 when the club resumed action thanks to Dr. Carlos Canseco, president of the Asociación de Fútbol de Nuevo León. The club enrolled in the second division and just 4 years later the club earned a promotion to the top division. Once again the joy was short-lived, when the club finished last in their first year back and was relegated once again to the second division after finishing with a record of 4 wins, 7 draws and 13 losses for a total of 15 points, just 1 short of Zacatepec who kept the category. The club would once again earn the promotion in the 1959–60 tournament which they have held to date.

1960s

The club started off the 1960s in bad shape just avoiding relegation with 3 more points than Club Celaya. The club finished the 1960–61 tournament with a record of 7 wins 7 draws 12 losses for a total of 21 points.

In the 1961–62 tournament the club was again came close to relegation finishing 2nd 2 last for the second year in arrow just ahead of Zacatepec who would now loss the category. The club had a record of 7 wins 5 draws and 15 losses for a total of 19 points.

In the 1962–63 tournament the club finally managed to have a successful year in the first division finishing 5th in the league 2 points behind CD Oro that year's champions who finished with a leagues best 36 points. That year record was 8 wins 12 draws and only 6 losses for a total of 28 points.

In the 1963–64 tournament the club would finish 3rd in the league just 5 points behind club Guadalajara who would have a league best 37 points. That year record was 12 wins 8 draws 6 losses for a total of 32 points.

In the 1964–65 tournament the club would once again finish 3rd in the league this time just 3 points behind club Guadalajara who won its second consecutive league title with 40 points. This year's record was 17 wins 3 draws and 10 losses for a total of 37 points.

In the 1965–66 tournament the club finished tied for 4th in the league with Club Atlante with 33 points. This year is also remember for Club Nuevo León promotion to the first division having for the first time 2 clubs from Monterrey participating in the first division. This year record was 13 wins 7 draws and 10 losses for a total of 33 points.

In the 1966–67 tournament the club felt back into mediocrity finishing tied for 8th in the league with Irapuato with 30 points each. This year record was 10 wins, draws and losses for a total of 30 points.

In the 1967–68 tournament the club continue its descent finishing tied for 14 in the league with CD Oro. That year record was 6 wins 9 draws and 15 losses for a total of 21 points.

In the 1968–69 tournament the club finished tied for 10th place in the league with Pachuca. This year is also remembered for Club Nuevo León's relegation after the club finished tied for last place with CD Oro both with 21 points. A playoff series was held where after 3 matches CD Oro managed to maintain its category. This year record was 10 wins 8 draws and 12 losses for a total of 28 points.

In the 1969–70 tournament the club close this decade tied for 9th place along with Atlante both with 28 points. This year record was 9 wins 10 draws and 11 losses for a total of 2 points. The 1960s saw the club fight for the title as well to maintain the category.

1970s

In the 1970s the tournament was split into 2 short tournaments due to the 1970 world cup that was taking part in Mexico for the first time. The club was place in group 1 where they managed to finish 2 with 17 points 1 less than group leader Toluca. In the second part of the tournament the club finished 7th. The following year Monterrey finished runner up to Club América who went on to win the league title that year against Toluca.

In the 1971–72 tournament the club would qualify to the play-off which had been introduce a few years back. The club would loss in quarterfinals to Club América 2–1 in aggregated time. The following year the club failed to qualify finishing tie for 5th with Veracruz and Guadalajara each with 32 points.

In the 1973–74 tournament the club managed to qualify the quarterfinals where they once again were eliminated this time by Atlético Español who beat them 5–6 in aggregated time. The following year the club failed to qualify to the playoffs finishing 3rd in group 2 with a record of 15 wins 14 draws losing 9 for a total of 44 points 2 points fewer than Unión de Curtidores who qualified.

In the 1975–76 tournament the club finished in first place with a total of 44 points by means of 16 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses. In quarterfinals the club played Cruz Azul who they managed to beat 7–2 in aggregated time scoring 5 goals in the first match and 2 more in the second winning both games. In semifinals the club played Guadalajara who eliminated them with a score of 2–3 in aggregated time. During 1975, the Portuguese superstar Eusébio played for the club. For the 1976–77 tournament the club fail to qualify finishing 4th in group 2 with 32 points by means of 10 wins, 12 draws losing 16 games. For the 1977–78 tournament the club once again fell short and did not qualify finishing 4th in group 2 with 38 points just 6 shy of cross town rival Tigres UANL, who won its first league title.

In the 1978–79 tournament the club once again qualified to the playoffs finishing 1st in group one with a total of 40 points by means of 14 wins 12 draws losing 12. This time a short tournament was played by the best 8 teams in the league who were then split into 2 groups. Monterrey was placed in group 2 along with Pumas UNAM, Tigres UANL and Zacatepec. after 6 rounds of play the club finished in 3rd place with 6 points by means of 1 win, 4 draws losing just 1 match, just 2 points behind Pumas UNAM who went on to loses to Cruz Azul who had won the other group.

In the 1979–80 tournament the club finished 3rd in group 1 with 34 points with a record of 9 wins 16 draws losing 16 games scoring 40 goals and allowing 50. The decade came to an end with Club Monterrey having title to show for all their efforts, qualifying a couple times but failing to win their first league title.

1980s

Club celebrating their first league title in 1986.

On 1 March 1986, the Rayados won their first title in the return leg of a series against Tampico-Madero in the Estadio Tecnológico during the well known Torneo PRODE 86, to win by an aggregate 3–2. The goals were scored by Brazilian Reinaldo Güeldini, and Mexican Francisco Javier Cruz, who finished the season as the league leader in goals. For many years the team's logo did not show the star for this title.

Their main rivals are the Tigres UANL and they have played in 97 derbies, or Clásico Regiomontano as they are called, two of them were played in Texas at Frisco's Pizza Hut Park and Houston's Robertson Stadium. It has been a close rivalry, Rayados have played the derby in semi-finals twice in a round robin format, having won two games and lost two games, both times (2003 and 2005) qualifying to the finals.

21st Century

Monterrey won their Second title in the Clausura 2003 tournament, when on 14 June 2003 they defeated Monarcas Morelia by an aggregate of 3–1.

Monterrey in Clausura 2012

Their third title was won in the "Apertura 2009" tournament, defeating Cruz Azul, one of Mexico's most prominent teams, by an aggregate of 6–4.

Monterrey has 4 top scorers the most in Nuevo León teams with Francisco Javier Cruz 14 Goals in "México 86" who gave the first championship to Rayados, Guillermo Franco 15 Goals in "Apertura 2004" and helped get the second championship in clausura 2003 and later on goin to a club in Spain called Villareal C.F, Humberto Suazo 13 Goals in "Clausura 2008" who gave the third championship for the striped ones in Apertura 2009 and also in CONMEBOL's the top scorer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification with 10 goals, one ahead Brazilian striker Luís Fabiano. And later went to Spain to play for Real Zaragoza. He then later returned during the 2010 Apertura tournament, which was later won by the team. Followed by a triumphant run in the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League, 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League and finally a third win in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League. In the "Clausura 2015" Dorlan Pabon won the top scorer recognition after scoring 10 goals that season.

Early in 2016, CF Monterrey has repeatedly been acknowledged as the best attack in the league; Rayados count on four star-players up front. Edwin Cardona and Carlos Sanchez on the wings , combined with Dorlan Pabon and Rogelio Funes Mori as lethal strikers make up by far the Mexican clubs' best offense. This football team is expected by many [commentators] to win national championships at any moment.
This era has proven to be the most successful in the club's history.

Culture

Colours

Since the club's founding in 1945, the colours used by the club have been white and blue, with varied use from the usual stripes. The shade of the blue itself has been in constant change, ranging from navy and cobalt to slightly lighter tones.
The third colour has also been inconsistent, sometimes presented as being red, orange, cyan, and recently, violet, purple, or green.

Rivalry

Rayados' biggest rival is Tigres UANL. This rivalry is called Clásico Regiomontano. Monterrey sells out all of their home games regardless of weather conditions and the teams' status. On every Clásico the stadium is sold out as soon as tickets go on sale. Monterrey and Tigres played their first Clásico on 13 July 1974 in the Estadio Universitario, with a draw 1–1. Monterrey would be the first team to win the Clásico in their second confrontation 2–1. In the first Clásicos, almost all were played in the Estadio Universitario. Estimating almost 70,000 fans attending these games where before the stadium renovation. As of 2012 Tigres and Rayados have won the same amount of games. In 38 years and 95 games of heated rivalry, Rayados and Tigres have won 33 games, tied on 28 and one game was suspended, in addition there where also another 6 "non – official" games before the first official Clásico, in which 5 of this Rayados were victorious.

Fan base

25,000 in attendance at a Monterrey training session.^[2]

The city of Monterrey claims to have Mexico's most loyal supporting crowds for their teams, due to the city having the only venues that regularly sell-out in the Primera División. There is a rivalry between the La Adicción, C.F. Monterrey support crowd, and the Libres y Lokos, Tigres UANL support crowd, each time a Clásico (Local Derby) takes place. Los Rayados constantly do their best to not disappoint loyal supporters, who fill the Estadio BBVA Bancomer every 15 days. They have the highest average attendance (50,000 per game) in 2016.

Stadium

Monterrey used to play at Estadio Tecnológico, the second oldest football stadium in Mexico, after Estadio Azul. In July 2015, Monterrey moved to a new stadium called Estadio BBVA Bancomer, located in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, in Greater Monterrey. The new stadium currently has a capacity of 53,500 people. The stadium has similar features of those incorporated within the design of England's Wembley Stadium and the Aviva Stadium in Ireland.
The Estadio BBVA Bancomer, designed by Christopher Lee of Populous, started its development on October 2011, and included plans for reforestation and environmental healing for the decaying area that surrounds the construction site.

Championships

Monterrey won their third Mexican League Championship title on the night of 13 December 2009 at Mexico City's Estadio Azul facing Cruz Azul in the final. Aldo de Nigris made the first goal of the match a 1–0 that meant a 5–3 at the moment for C.F. Monterrey later Cruz Azul had an advantage of making a goal in the second half with a 1–1 draw by then meaning a 5–4 still favoring the northern squad. Humberto Suazo then took advantage of the field invading the Cruz Azul area then to make the 2–1 definite victory (6–4 total). Some of the Monterrey champion squad team members left the team. Among them Felipe Baloy^[3] and Humberto Suazo^[4] himself.
Rayados won their 4th League Championship on 5 December, of 2010 at home, when they defeated Santos Laguna on a 5–3 aggregate, with a remarkable performance by Humberto "El Chupete" Suazo and Hiram Mier, after a consistent high-quality tournament that year.
Following, CF Monterrey became winner of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League on 27 April against Real Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah with a 3–2 aggregate score. This being the first international title won by Monterrey coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich after a long string of league championships.
In 2012, Monterrey performed a back-to-back championship in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League by defeating once again Santos Laguna, this time with at the Estadio TSM Corona in Torreón, by aggregate score of 3–2. The event repeated itself in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League final, defeating Club Santos Laguna one more time at the Estadio Tecnológico after recovering from a 2-goal deficit. Monterrey managed to make a comeback and win the game 4–2, and turning into the tournament's three-time champion.

Kit evolution

The original uniform was a shirt that was split diagonally across the chest with blue and white at each side, with white shorts and navy blue socks. In 1955 after winning the second division the club used a white shirt with two blue lines across the chest. In the 1960s the club wore a different kit inspired by the one used by Jaibos Tampico Madero with vertical baby blue lines with white shorts and socks. It was in 1962 when D. José Ramón Ballina introduced the kit that the club still uses to date, inspired by Asturias FC, a club he had played in Mexico City.

Year	Manufacturer	Main Sponsor	Other Sponsors
1984–91	Adidas
1991–98	ABA SPORT	ABACO-CONFIA 1989–98	AGUA SPORT
1998–99	ABA SPORT	Bimbo	AGUA SPORT, Pepsi and Tecate
1999–07	Atletica	Bimbo	Coca-Cola, Casas Javer, Oxxo, Carta Blanca and BBVA Bancomer
2007–08	Nike	Bimbo	Coca-Cola, Casas Javer, LG, Carta Blanca and BBVA Bancomer
2008–13	Nike	Bimbo	Coca-Cola, Casas Javer, Carta Blanca, Home Depot and BBVA Bancomer
2014–	Puma	Bimbo	Coca-Cola, Tecate, Home Depot, AeroMéxico, H-E-B, Berel, Carl's Jr and BBVA Bancomer

Past Home Kits

1945 Home

1965 Home

1975 Home

1980–83 Home

1989–93

1994–97 Home

2010 Home

Past Away Kits

1955 Away

1960 Away

1976 Away

1980–83 Home

1983–89 Away

Away 2003

2008 Away

2010 Away

Honors

National competitions

Liga MX

Winners (4): Mexico 86, Clausura 2003, Apertura 2009, Apertura 2010

Copa México

Winners (1): 1991

InterLiga

Winners (1): 2010

Segunda División de México

Winners (2): 1956, 1960

Second Division Super Cup

Winners (1): 1956

International competitions

CONCACAF Champions League

Winners (3): 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13

CONCACAF Cup Winners' Cup

Winners (1): 1993

FIFA Club World Cup

Third place (1): 2012

Friendly tournaments

2015 Eusébio Cup
2nd place Trofeo Ciudad de la Línea (Spain, 1979).^[5]
2nd place: Ciudad de Alicante Trophy (Spain, 1979).^[6]
2nd place: Ciudad de Jerez Trophy (Spain, 1979).^[7]
Los Angeles Nations Cup (1): 1991.^[8]
Copa Gobernador de Nuevo León (1): 1992.^[9]
Subcampeón del Torneo Ría de Aveiro (Portugal): 1995.^[10]
Subcampeón del Trofeo Ciudad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain): 1995.^[11]^[12]
Copa Rial (Pontevedra, España) (1): 1995.^[13]
Copa Movistar (1): 2002.
International Challenge Cup (1): 2003.^[14]
Torneo de Verano Miller Lite (1): 2004.^[15]
Copa Chiapas(1): 2006.
Trofeo Santos Laguna 25 Aniversario: 2008.^[16]
Chicago Mayor's Cup (1): 2009.^[17]
Copa 100 años de la UNAM: 2010.^[18]

Players

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Jonathan Orozco
4	DF	Ricardo Osorio
5	MF	Walter Gargano (Vice-captain)
6	DF	Efraín Juárez
7	FW	Rogelio Funes Mori
8	FW	Dorlan Pabón
9	FW	Aldo de Nigris
10	MF	Edwin Cardona
11	MF	Pablo Barrera
13	MF	Carlos Sánchez
14	DF	Bernardo Hernández
15	DF	Edgar Castillo
16	MF	Cándido Ramírez
17	MF	Jesús Zavala

No.	Position	Player
18	MF	Neri Cardozo
19	DF	Luis López
20	FW	Santiago Rivera
21	DF	Hiram Mier
22	GK	Luis Cárdenas
23	GK	Juan de Dios Ibarra
24	MF	Marcelo Gracia
25	DF	Antonio Portales
27	MF	Luis Pérez (on loan from Guadalajara)
29	MF	Mauricio Talancón
30	DF	José María Basanta (Captain) (on loan from Fiorentina)
33	DF	Walter Ayoví
34	DF	Miguel Herrera (on loan from Pachuca)
286	DF	César Montes

For recent transfers, see List of Mexican football transfers winter 2015–16.

Out on loan