Danny Cruz

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

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.

INTERNATIONAL:

2009: Represented United States at 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt … Helped U.S. qualify in March with two assists in CONCACAF U-20 Championship … Participated in two friendly matches in Egypt in June … Started two of three U.S. matches at U-20 World Cup, including 4-1 win over Cameroon … 2008: One of only two players to appear in seven international games for the U-20 national team, starting six and scoring once … Scored highlight-reel goal with volley in 2-0 win vs. Haiti on 12/20 … 2007: Represented the United States at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea and the Pan American Games in Brazil.

COLLEGE:

Played two years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas … 2008: Named first-team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation after scoring five goals and totaling 13 points, the seventh-best total in the league … Scored game-winning goals against Jacksonville, Oral Roberts (in overtime), and New Mexico … … 2007: Became first UNLV player to earn MPSF Newcomer of the Year honors … Named first-team all-MPSF … Also named second-team freshman All-America by College Soccer News … Scored four goals and notched four assists in only 14 games … Scored game-winning goals against Missouri State and Cal State Bakersfield.

AMATEUR:

Led Ironwood High School in Glendale, Ariz., to 2005 Arizona state championship with 23-2 record … Set Arizona record with 70 goals in his career … Earned all-Arizona honors twice and was named all-region three times … Began playing soccer as a freshman as an offseason conditioning program for football … Lettered three years in football and was an all-region running back as a freshman … Also played one year of baseball.

YOUTH CLUB:

Sereno Soccer Club, coached by Les Armstrong and Brian O'Donnel.

PERSONAL:

Full name is Daniel Arthur Quimby Cruz ... Born in Petersburg, Va. ... Son of Al and Janet Cruz ... Did not start playing soccer until his freshman year of high school ... Majored in criminal justice at UNLV … Admires Lance Armstrong and Wayne Gretzky … If not playing soccer, would be playing hockey … Lists favorite vacation spot as Tobago after traveling to Trinidad & Tobago with U.S. U-20 national team in January 2009.