LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since April Danny Cruz has served as interim head coach of Louisville City FC. The interim portion of the title was removed Monday. 

Cruz and Louisville City FC agreed to a new multiyear contract naming him the franchise's new head coach.

What You Need To Know

  • Danny Cruz named head coach for Louisville City FC

  • Cruz has been interim head coach since June

  • Louisville City FC currently sits atop the USL Championship's Central Division

  • Cruz says he wants to bring more league titles to Louisville

 

LouCity currently holds the top spot in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship's Central Division standings with a record of 16-5-7. There are four games left before the playoffs and the 31-year-old Cruz says it's his goal to add another league title. LouCity won in 2017 and 2018.

In a news release sent to Spectrum News 1, Cruz said, “It is an honor and a privilege to be the head coach at Louisville City FC." "I am fortunate that I am able to work with an incredible group of men in that locker room every day. They are the biggest reason this is possible, and I am grateful for that."

LouCity has thrived under Cruz's leadership. The team is tied for second in the 32-team league in scoring with 56 goals this season.   The men in purple have also made sure opponents know there is a distinct home-field advantage for the team at Lynn Family Stadium. LouCity has only lost once in the 11 games played there since welcoming back full capacity crowds. 

James O'Connor, the club’s executive vice president of development said, "Danny is developing into one of the brightest young coaches in the country, and we are thrilled to have secured his position here.”

Originally from Petersburg, Virginia, Cruz played college soccer for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and He was the first UNLV player to earn Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Newcomer of the Year honors in his freshman year in 2007. After college, Cruz played nine years professionally. 

Cruz finished playing for the USL Championship’s Real Monarchs SLC in 2017 and 2018 shifted to the club’s coaching staff. Later that same year, he moved to Louisville as the top assistant to head coach John Hackworth and took over the interim role following Hackworth’s departure earlier this year.  

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