Danny Cruz

Youth and college

Cruz was born in Petersburg, Virginia. He attended junior high in Rohnert Park, California, and then moved to Glendale, Arizona, where he attended Ironwood High School, where he led his team to a 2006 State Championship. He played two years of college soccer at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He was the first UNLV player to earn MPSF Newcomer of the Year honors in his freshman year in 2007 and was named to the all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team after scoring five goals in 2008.

During his college years he also played with Des Moines Menace in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional

Cruz was drafted in the third round (41st overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Houston Dynamo. He made his professional debut on March 28, 2009, coming on as a substitute in Houston's game against the San Jose Earthquakes. He scored his first goal for the Dynamo against DC United, he also had an assist in that game. In the 2011 season, Cruz was a big part of the Houston Dynamo team and scored a stunning goal at the end of the season against the Portland Timbers to help Houston get into the playoffs. He started in all four playoff games, including Houston's 1-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup 2011.

In January 2012, Cruz was traded from Houston to D.C. United in exchange for allocation money.

On August 16, 2012, Cruz was traded to the Philadelphia Union in exchange for Lionard Pajoy and an international roster spot.

On March 19, 2015, Cruz signed a loan deal with FK Bodø/Glimt. He made his debut against Haugesund on April 30, 2015, in which Bodø/Glimt lost 1-2.

On February 15, 2017, Cruz signed with the San Francisco Deltas for their inaugural season in the NASL.

In August 2017, he joined Real Monarchs.

International

Cruz represented the United States at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea, the Pan American Games in Brazil in 2007, appeared in seven international games for the United States U-20 national team in 2008, and played in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009.

Real Monarchs

In February 2018, Cruz was announced as promoted to assistant coach of the Monarchs for the 2018 season, under Mark Briggs.

Louisville City FC

On April 27, 2021, after spending time as an assistant coach and technical director at Louisville City FC, Cruz was appointed as interim head coach of the club, replacing John Hackworth. On October 11, Cruz was officially announced to have signed a multi-year agreement as the permanent head coach for Louisville.

Club

As of July 12, 2015

Player

San Francisco Deltas

• Soccer Bowl: 2017

Coach

Individual

• USL Championship Coach of the Year: 2024, 2025
• USL Championship Coach of the Month: August 2024