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Veracruz ends 14-month Liga MX winless streak

By Jahir M. Martinez

VERACRUZ, MEXICO - OCTOBER 29: Colin Kazim Richards (L) of Veracruz celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammate Gabriel Penalba (R) of Veracruz during the 16th round match between Veracruz and Puebla as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Luis 'Pirata' de la Fuente Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Veracruz, Mexico. (Photo by Jam Media/Getty Images)
VERACRUZ, MEXICO - OCTOBER 29: Colin Kazim Richards (L) of Veracruz celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team with teammate Gabriel Penalba (R) of Veracruz during the 16th round match between Veracruz and Puebla as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Luis 'Pirata' de la Fuente Stadium on October 29, 2019 in Veracruz, Mexico. (Photo by Jam Media/Getty Images) /
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The Tiburones went 41 games between wins, tasting victory for the first time since Aug. 25, 2018.

Regardless what happens for the rest of Matchday 16, Veracruz’s magical first win of the tournament will stand out as the first professional victory in Liga MX for goalie Sebastian Jurado.

It was 430 days and 41 games between league wins for the downtrodden Tiburones and striker Colin Kazim-Richards knocked home the winner in minute 49. The 3 points surely taste sweet for Veracruz after weeks of embarrassing headlines.

The bad press was primarily due to ownership’s failure to pay the players and team employees – some for as much as six months – but the winless streak was a painful thing to bear too.

Veracruz is dead last in the league standings with only 7 points, from a 1-4-10 record. The Tiburones must still face the reality that they are deep in the relegation standings.

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The previous Veracruz win also came at home when they defeated the Xolos of Tijuana. The final score was the same – a 1-0 victory – with the goal scored by Diego Chavez in minute 8.

No doubt, young goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado was the happiest Tiburon. The win was his first league triumph as a professional. After taking over the Veracruz starting job late in the Apertura 2018, the Veracruz native swiftly made a name for himself with spectacular saves and quick reflexes. His debut came nearly a year ago – Nov. 9, 2018, in a 2-2 draw against Queretaro.

Jurado – only 22 – was much in demand after steady performances throughout the Clausura 2019 season, but he declined to consider offers from other teams (including Cruz Azul). Instead, Jurado stayed loyal to his hometown team and signed a 3-year contract extension in April. It took 34 games, but the young keeper finally got to celebrate, thrusting his arms into the air after the final whistle and shedding a few tears of joy.

Veracruz will try to make it two wins in a row on Saturday night in Monterrey against the Rayados.

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