Club Universidad Nacional facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Club Universidad Nacional

Full name	Club Universidad Nacional, A.C.
Nickname(s)	Pumas Universitarios (Collegiates) Universidad (University) Auriazules (Gold-and-Blues) Los de Pedregal (The Guys from Pedregal)
Founded	2 August 1954; 70 years ago (1954-08-02) as Club Deportivo Universidad
Ground	Estadio Olímpico Universitario
Ground Capacity	58,445
Chairman	Luis Raúl González Pérez
Manager	Gustavo Lema
League	Liga MX
Clausura 2024	Regular phase: 8th Final phase: Quarter-finals
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Club Universidad Nacional, A.C., often called Pumas UNAM, is a professional football club. It is based in Mexico City, Mexico. The team plays in Liga MX, which is the top football league in Mexico. Pumas UNAM was started in 1954. They play their home games at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, a large stadium that can hold over 72,000 fans.

The club began as a team for students from the UNAM college. Later, it grew into a professional team. The Pumas are one of the most loved clubs in Mexico. They are seen as one of the Cuatro Grandes (Big Four) of Mexican football. The other "Big Four" teams are Cruz Azul, Guadalajara, and Club América.

Pumas UNAM has won many awards in Mexico. They have won 7 Liga MX titles, 1 Copa MX, and the Campeón de Campeones twice. They also won 1 Segunda División de México title. In international games, the club has won 3 CONCACAF Champions Cups and 1 Copa Interamericana. The team has a big rivalry with Club América. This rivalry is known as the derbi capitalino.

The club is also famous for its youth system. This system helps young players become professional stars. Many famous players started here, like Hugo Sánchez, Manuel Negrete, Luis Flores, Jorge Campos, and Gerardo Torrado.

Pumas UNAM: A History of Football Excellence

The journey of Pumas UNAM began with a dream to bring university football to the top league. In the 1940s, Rodolfo "Butch" Muñoz helped create the UNAM team. He trained students from different university schools. The team played well in many university tournaments. This success helped them get ready to become a professional club.

How the Club Started: The 1950s

In August 1954, Club Universidad joined the Segunda División. This was the second-highest professional football league in Mexico. This happened thanks to the support of the university dean, Nabor Carrillo, and a club helper, Guillermo Aguilar Alvarez Sr.. Aguilar Alvarez became the club's first chairman.

On September 12, 1954, UNAM played its first professional game against Monterrey. After three years, the club took a break to rebuild its team. During this time, Hector Ortiz became the new manager. A special group of supporters was also formed to help the club.

Moving Up: The 1960s

Pumas UNAM achieved its goal of moving from the Segunda División to the Primera División. This happened on January 9, 1962. They won a home game against Club Cataluña de Torreón with a score of 9–1. After the game, excited students rushed onto the field. They carried their winning team on their shoulders. This was a big step for the club.

The next day, the university dean, Ignacio Chávez Sánchez, congratulated the team. The team then worked to stay in the Primera División. The club also started a youth system. This system was designed to find and train new talented players for the future.

Becoming a Legend: The 1970s

In the 1970s, the team got stronger. Important foreign players like Juan José Muñante from Peru, Velibor "Bora" Milutinović from Serbia, and Cabinho from Brazil joined the team. They played alongside talented Mexican players like Miguel Mejía Barón and Leonardo Cuellar. These players helped the club win its first major titles.

In 1975, the club changed how it was run. It became an independent group that helped the university support the team. In the 1974–75 season, Universidad won the Copa México and the Campeón de Campeones. Then, in the 1976–77 season, Club Universidad won its first league championship ever! This was followed by two second-place finishes. The decade ended with the exciting debut of Hugo Sánchez, who would become a football legend. In 1978, the club signed Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti, another player who would be very important.

Stronger Than Ever: The 1980s

In the 1980–81 season, Universidad won its second league championship. This was also the last season Hugo Sánchez played for the club before moving to Europe. The next season, the Pumas won the CONCACAF Championship and the Interamerican Cup.

During this time, the club became known across Mexico for its unique and exciting style of play. This helped Mexican football as a whole. For the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the manager of Universidad, Velibor "Bora" Milutinović, was chosen to lead the Mexico national football team. He picked many Pumas players, like Hugo Sánchez and Manuel Negrete, for the national team. These players made both Pumas fans and Mexican football fans very proud.

Ups and Downs: The 1990s

The 1990s started with a famous championship win in the 1990–91 season. Pumas beat their big rivals, Club América, with a memorable free kick goal from Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti. This was Ferretti's last game as a player. New talented players like Luis García, Jorge Campos, and Claudio Suárez joined the team. However, this decade is seen as one of the less successful times for the club in terms of winning championships and developing new players. Towards the end of the decade, Hugo Sánchez returned to manage the club for the first time.

Great Success: The 2000s

In 2004, Hugo Sánchez led the Pumas to their first championship in thirteen years. The Pumas then won the championship again later that year. This made them the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Mexican league changed its format. As of 2012, they were still the only team to do this! Along with these two titles, the Pumas also won both the Campeon de Campeones.

In 2005, the Pumas reached the Copa Sudamericana final. They lost to Boca Juniors in a penalty shootout. After their big success in 2004, the Pumas faced some tough times. By 2006, they were in danger of being moved down to a lower league. Ricardo Ferretti was brought back as manager to help the team. His strong leadership helped Pumas avoid relegation. They even reached a final in 2007, but lost to Atlante. In 2009, Ferretti led the Pumas to another final. This time, they won against Pachuca in extra time, claiming their sixth championship.

Renewing the Club: The 2010s

Pumas UNAM players before a match against Tijuana in April 2012.

In 2011, Pumas became champions of the Clausura 2011 tournament. They won their seventh championship against Monarcas Morelia.

After some difficult years, Guillermo Vasquez returned as head coach in 2014. In the Apertura 2015, Pumas reached the tournament final against Tigres U.A.N.L.. Tigres won the first game 3–0. In the second game, Pumas tied the score 4–1 at home. The game went to a penalty shootout, where Tigres won 4–2. Pumas missed out on their eighth title. After not making the playoffs in Clausura 2016 and losing in the Copa Libertadores, Guillermo Vasquez was let go in May 2016.

At the end of May 2016, Pumas hired Francisco Palencia as head coach. In Apertura 2016, Pumas made it to the playoffs again, facing Tigres in the quarter-finals. The first game was a 2-2 tie. In the second game, Tigres won 5–0, meaning Pumas lost 7–2 overall and were out of the playoffs.

In Clausura 2017, Pumas signed Chilean forward Nicolas Castillo. He scored 8 goals in the first two months before getting injured. Pumas started the season well but then lost 4 straight games. They finished 17th and had a tough time defending, letting in 30 goals.

In Apertura 2017, many key players like Alejandro Palacios and captain Dario Veron left the team. This was done to make room for new, younger players.

Recent Years: The 2020s

In the 2020 Apertura, Pumas reached the final but lost to Club Leon 3-1. This was under coach Andres Lillini. In 2022, Pumas made it to the Champions League Final. They lost to the American team Seattle Sounders FC. After a tough 2023 Apertura, Lillini was replaced by Rafael Puente Jr.. Puente Jr. was then replaced by Antonio "Turco" Mohamed in March 2023. Mohamed left after Pumas lost in the semifinals of the 2023 Apertura to Tigres.

Home Stadium: Estadio Olímpico Universitario

Pumas UNAM plays its home games at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. This stadium was the main place for the 1968 Summer Olympics. It can hold over 72,000 people. The stadium is on the university campus, making it easy for students to visit. Pumas also has training fields on campus, but their main training area, called the Cantera, is nearby.

Big Rivalries

Puma fans at the Olímpico stadium.

Pumas UNAM has strong rivalries with Club América and Cruz Azul. Games against these teams are very exciting and watched by many people in Mexico City. There is also a smaller, older rivalry with Leones Negros.

Clásico Capitalino: Pumas vs. América

Pumas UNAM fans at a match against Club América.

The rivalry with Club América started in the 1960s. Both clubs are from Mexico City, which naturally creates a rivalry. The rivalry grew in the 1980s when Club América beat Universidad twice in league finals. The 1990s saw Pumas win a memorable final against América. This rivalry is often known as one of the most intense in Mexico.

Pumas UNAM vs. Cruz Azul

The rivalry with Cruz Azul also comes from both clubs being in Mexico City. They have played many important games, including two league finals. This game is sometimes called the "Clásico Metropolitano" or "Derby central."

Clásico Universitario: Pumas vs. Leones Negros

Pumas UNAM and Leones Negros are old rivals. Both clubs were started by rival universities. They played against each other in the 1976-77 Primera División final, where Pumas UNAM won its first title. However, this rivalry has become less strong over the years because Leones Negros has spent time in lower divisions.

Team Support

A survey from 2021 showed that Pumas UNAM has the 4th largest fan base in Mexico. About 9.7% of fans, or 12 million people, support the club. Historically, Pumas was the third most popular club in Mexico, behind Club América and CD Guadalajara. But in recent years, Cruz Azul has become more popular, moving Pumas to fourth place.

Barra Brava: Fan Groups

Pumas has two main fan groups, known as barra bravas: La Rebel and La Plus. These groups are known for their passionate support for the team.

Team Colors and Nickname

The team's blue and gold colors are a tribute to the University of Notre Dame in the United States. Their football coaches helped develop an American-style football team at UNAM. The nickname "Pumas" came from Roberto 'Tapatio' Mendez. He coached the team from 1946 to 1964. He often compared his players to pumas in his speeches, saying they were strong and agile. The nickname stuck, and now all sports teams from the university are called Pumas.

Past Uniforms

How the First Kit Changed

1941

1943

1950

1953

1953

1960

1960

1975

1975-1976

1975-1976

Pumas UNAM: Trophies and Achievements

Friendly Tournament Wins

• Pentagonal "Lic. Juan Fernández Albarrán": 1969
• Torneo Cuadrangular de agosto: 1971
• Copa Coors California: 1985
• Copa Pachuca (1): 1994
• Copa de Ciudades Universitarias [es]: 2000
• Copa Dallas: 2001
• Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu (1): 2004
• Copa Chiapas [es] (1): 2008
• Torneo Club International: 2012
• Trofeo Reto del Sol: 2012
• Torneo Cotton Bowl (Detroit, EEUU): 2012
• Copa Feria de León [es] (1): 2017
• Copa Rudo Rivera [Atlante] (1): 2021

Memorable Games

• Biggest National Wins:
  • 9–0 vs UAG on May 16, 1976
  • 8–0 vs Veracruz in Apertura 2007
  • 7–1 vs Guadalajara in Apertura 2002
• Biggest International Wins:
  • 8–0 vs Isidro Metapán in March 2008
  • 6–1 vs Marathón in CONCACAF Champions League, March 2010
  • 8-1 vs W Connection in CONCACAF Champions League, October 20, 2016

League Performance

• Best League Position: 1st place
• Worst League Position: 19th (last) in Winter 2001

Team Members

Current Coaches

Position	Staff
Head coach	Gustavo Lema
Assistant coach	Josema Bazán [es]
Fitness coaches	Matías Lema Javier Flores
Goalkeeping coach	Iván Gaytán
Physiotherapist	José Pang
Club doctors	Antonio Acevedo Eduardo Acosta

• Last updated: May 4, 2024

Club Management

Players

Current Team Squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Julio González 2 DF Pablo Bennevendo 3 DF Ricardo Galindo 4 DF Lisandro Magallán (captain) 5 DF Rubén Duarte 6 DF Nathan Silva 7 MF Rodrigo López 8 MF José Caicedo 9 FW Guillermo Martínez 10 MF Leonardo Suárez 12 MF César Huerta 13 DF Pablo Monroy

No. Position Player 14 DF Jesús Rivas 15 MF Ulises Rivas 17 MF Jorge Ruvalcaba 19 FW Alí Ávila (on loan from Monterrey) 20 MF Santiago Trigos 21 MF Michell Rodríguez (on loan from Monterrey) 22 DF Robert Ergas 23 FW Ignacio Pussetto 27 MF Piero Quispe 29 FW Rogelio Funes Mori 33 GK Gil Alcalá

Players on Loan

No. Position Player DF Nicolás Freire (at Inter Miami) MF Higor Meritão (at Criciúma) MF Miguel Ángel Carreón (at Atlético San Luis)

No. Position Player MF Marco García (at Venados) FW Gael Rodriguez (at Cancún FC) FW Gustavo Del Prete (at Mazatlán)

Youth and Reserve Teams

Pumas Players at the World Cup

These players represented their countries at the World Cup while playing for Pumas UNAM:

Team Managers

See also

In Spanish: Club Universidad Nacional para niños