Danny Cruz

Danny Cruz was acquired from D.C. United in exchange for forward Lionard Pajoy on August 16, 2012.

2014: Appeared in 26 games while starting 16. Cruz scored three goals and posted two assists in 1,352 minutes of action. His first goal of the season came in a 2-1 victory at Sporting Kansas City on May 14. Cruz was named to the Week 16 MLS Team of the Week by MLSSoccer.com for his eventual game-winner against New England on June 28. But his best play came down the stretch, tallying 15 shots over the last five games and picking up three points.

2013: Played and started in 32 games, logging 2190 minutes. He scored three goals and assisted two. On May 4, 2013, Cruz scored the only two goals for the Union side to keep the game tied 2-2. His one assist on April 21, 2013 contributed to a 3-2 win against D.C. United.

2012: In January 2012, Cruz was traded from Houston to D.C. United in exchange for allocation money.  He started in 12 of 16 games for United, notching one goal and three assists. Cruz was acquired by the Union in exchange for forward Lionard Pajoy on August 16th. Since joining the Union, Cruz played and started 12 games.  He scored his only goal with the Union on September 29 in a 2-3 loss to the Columbus Crew.  During the off season he served as the Grand Marshal of the Deltona Holiday Parade.

2011: He enjoyed his best season during the 2011 campaign, scoring a stunning goal at the end of the season against the Portland Timbers to help Houston earn a playoff berth.  He played 20 games starting in 13 and totaling 1152 minutes.  He also started all four of the Dynamo’s four MLS Cup playoff matches, helping the team to the MLS Cup final before falling to the LA Galaxy 1-0.  He finished the season with 2 goals and 3 assists.

2010: Made huge leap forward in second season and played in 25 of 30 games, including 14 starts, notching two goals and two assists ... Received two yellow cards in just 12 minutes and was ejected on 4/24 at CHI ... After playing 54 minutes in his first four appearances, impressed in role as second-half substitute of 3-1 loss at RSL on 5/13 ... Made first career MLS start in next game vs. DC on 5/22 and brought immediate energy, scoring first career goal in just nine minutes with right-footed shot that went in off post ... Assisted on second goal to earn Man of the Match honors ... Continued as a starter ever since and was fouled 19 times in next seven games ... Fouls led directly to pair of free-kick goals in 3-2 loss vs. PHI on 5/29 ... Scored opening goal with low, left-footed drive from distance in 2-2 tie vs. COL on 6/26 ... Served corner kick to Brian Ching for go-ahead goal in 1-1 tie at TFC on 7/1 ... Open Cup: Appeared as a substitute vs. Miami on 6/29 and vs. CHV on 7/6 as Dynamo reached quarterfinals ... SuperLiga: Appeared in all three group matches, making two starts ... Already set to be suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the group stage in 1-0 win vs. Puebla on 7/21, Cruz assured himself of suspension with a second yellow card just three minutes later, his second red card of the year.

2009: Appeared in six MLS games, all as a substitute, in rookie season … Made professional debut as late substitute in 3-2 loss at SJ on 3/28 … Appeared as a sub in four consecutive games on 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, and 7/25 … 08-09 Champions League: Did not appear … Open Cup: Returned from international duty in Egypt in time to make first professional start in 2-0 win at Austin on 7/1 … Started and played 81 minutes in 4-0 quarterfinal win at Charleston on 7/7 … Started and played all 120 minutes in 2-1 overtime semifinal loss at SEA on 7/21 … 09-10 Champions League: Appeared as a substitute in 1-0 win vs. Isidro Metapán on 8/19 … Started and played 72 minutes in 1-1 tie at Árabe Unido on 8/26.

2008: Named All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team after scoring five goals. After his sophomore season he entered the MLS’ SuperDraft.

2007: Cruz was a member of the United States U-17 National Team, which was led by Union Team Manager John Hackworth and also included current Union players Amobi Okugo, Zac MacMath and Sheanon Williams. He attended UNLV and became the school’s first player to earn MPSF Newcomer of the Year honors.