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LOCKED IN: LouCity Promotes Danny Cruz to Technical Director

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 01/20/20, 10:58AM EST

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Former assistant coach signed to new multi-year contract at club


Louisville City FC announced on Monday the appointment of Danny Cruz as the club's Technical Director, with the former player having served as an assistant coach to Head Coach John Hackworth since September 2018. | Photo courtesy Em-Dash Photography / Lou

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville City FC announced on Monday the appointment of Danny Cruz as the club’s Technical Director, as the club’s former assistant coach signed a multi-year contract to remain in Louisville. Cruz helped lead LouCity to the 2018 and 2019 Eastern Conference titles and victory in the 2018 USL Championship Final in his previous work as an assistant coach.

“We are so excited that Danny has signed a contract extension with the club,” Louisville City Head Coach and Sporting Director John Hackworth said. “He is one of the brightest young coaches and leaders in our sport. He deserves the faith that [LouCity President] Brad [Estes] and our ownership group has shown in him. We are fortunate that he and his family have chosen to extend their time here in Louisville.”

Under Hackworth’s guidance, Cruz will drive the player development of Louisville City’s senior team as well as work with the club’s new USL League Two and Academy teams.

“We are ecstatic that Danny and his family have chosen to extend their time with our LouCity family,” said LouCity President Brad Estes. “Danny is not only a talented young coach, but he’s a tremendous person as well. We are looking forward to his contributions to our club for years to come.”

“I want to thank Brad, Hack, John Neace and the entire Louisville City ownership group for allowing me the privilege to play a role in this club,” Cruz said. “I am humbled every day that I get to work with a manager like Hack, a staff like ours, and for a group of players that demand nothing but excellence every time they step on the field. I can honestly say that to be able to call myself a coach of this group of players is something that makes me so proud”

Cruz, who was tabbed as Hackworth’s first assistant coach in September of 2018, was an immediate help during LouCity’s 2018 run to the USL Championship title. Since his arrival at the club, LouCity has posted a record of 28-9-9 in the Championship’s regular season and playoffs.

“I have known Hack for 14 years now and I can honestly say that I have continued to learn from him throughout the entire time,” Cruz said. “While he has certainly helped me become a better coach, he has more importantly helped me become a better man.”

A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Cruz played professional soccer since his selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, registering 137 Major League Soccer appearances including time with the Dynamo, DC United and the Philadelphia Union. Cruz was a starter on the 2011 Houston Dynamo squad which squared off against the David Beckham, Landon Donovan-led L.A. Galaxy team in the 2011 MLS Cup.

Cruz trained under Hackworth in Philadelphia, registering 70 career appearances while scoring seven goals. Cruz also had experience playing with the Des Moines Menace, Minnesota United FC, the San Francisco Deltas and Real Monarchs SLC.

Cruz will help Louisville City open its new soccer-specific stadium, Lynn Family Stadium, for the 2020 USL Championship season. The club will host its first game in its new home on April 11, hosting Birmingham Legion.

“Our new home is going to be one of the best stadiums in the country and I can’t wait to see our players enjoying every moment of playing in it,” said Cruz. “I am looking forward to getting this season started and working towards our goal of winning another USL Championship.”

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