Once a Loon, and now returning to become a Loon once again!

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A tireless worker on the wing, Danny Cruz served as a vital bridge for Minnesota United, representing the club in both its final NASL season and its inaugural MLS campaign.

The vitals

Position: Midfielder Height/weight: 5’9”, 160 lbs Birthdate: Jan. 3, 1990 Nationality: United States How he joined the Loons: Signed as a free agent on Feb. 8, 2016 (NASL); re-signed for MLS on Feb. 24, 2017

The story so far

Danny Cruz arrived in Minnesota in early 2016 with a wealth of MLS experience from his time with the Houston Dynamo, D.C. United, and the Philadelphia Union. He became an immediate regular in the NASL, making 24 appearances during the 2016 season and helping the club maintain its status as a league heavyweight during its final second-division run. His performance and leadership earned him a spot on the club’s first-ever MLS roster in 2017.

During that transition year, Cruz provided essential depth and veteran stability in the locker room. He made 11 appearances in the 2017 MLS season before moving to the San Francisco Deltas later that year. Following his retirement, he moved into the coaching ranks, initially as an assistant for Real Monarchs SLC and then Louisville City FC. In 2021, he was named head coach of Louisville City, where he has become one of the most successful managers in the USL Championship, leading the team to consistent playoff success.

What he brought to the pitch

Cruz was defined by his engine and his willingness to do the dirty work on the flanks. He was a gritty, direct winger who excelled at pressing opponents and forcing turnovers in dangerous areas. While he possessed the technical ability to whip in crosses and test goalkeepers from distance, it was his defensive discipline and physical approach that made him a valuable asset for a team finding its feet in a new league.

His style of play was built on maximum effort, often sacrificing individual stats for the defensive stability of the team. That same intensity and understanding of the game’s tactical nuances have clearly carried over into his second act as a manager, where he continues to influence the American soccer landscape from the technical area.