LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A big honor for Louisville City FC head coach Danny Cruz. Cruz is the United Soccer League Championship Coach of the Year.
The 2024 USL Championship Awards are voted on by club management and a panel of media representing the entire league.
“I’m grateful and humbled to receive an award like this, especially considering how many great coaches are in our league,” Cruz said. “This is possible because Louisville City surrounds me with incredible players and staff. Without their belief, work ethic and values, we would not have had the regular season we did. I recognize that we fell short of our ultimate goal in the playoffs, but we’re looking forward to coming back stronger next season.”
Louisville City FC’s season ended Nov. 9 with a surprising loss to Rhode Island 3-0 at Lynn Family Stadium in the USL Championship Playoffs’ conference semifinal round.
Cruz, 34, was named LouCity’s coach in 2021. The team had 24 regular season wins, tying a league record. The side recorded 86 goals to rank second all-time in goals in a regular season and had 76 points, the fourth-most in a season. The three set single-season club records. Cruz first joined LouCity in 2018 and was an assistant to John Hackworth and became interim head coach one game into the 2021 season. The interim tag was removed later that same year and is currently under contract through 2024.
Originally from Virginia, Cruz attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and had a nine-year professional career.
LouCity had a record-setting home campaign in which the side won 16 out of 17 regular season games at Lynn Family Stadium. The team recorded at least four goals in a game 10 times during the regular season—setting a league record.
Cruz was the overwhelming choice in the voting earning 51% of the ballot. Las Vegas Lights FC’s Dennis Sanchez was second with 18% and New Mexico United’s Eric Quill was third with 15%
2025 season tickets are on sale now for LouCity.