MONDAY, JAN. 20, 2019 - Louisville City Football Club announced a multi-year contract for new Technical Director Danny Cruz Monday. The Louisville City assistant coach has helped lead the club to the 2018 and 2019 Eastern Conference titles and the 2018 USL Championship title.

“We are so excited that Danny has signed a contract extension with the club,” Louisville City 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.”

In addition to the multi-year contract, Cruz’s title was updated from Assistant Coach to Technical Director. Under Hackworth’s guidance, Cruz will drive the player development of Louisville City’s senior team.

“We are ecstatic that Danny and his family have chosen to extend their time with our LouCity family,” Estes said. “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. During the 2019 season, Cruz helped Hackworth establish the club’s beautiful style of play, confounding opponents during that latter part of the season with its ability to play out of the back line with double-digit passing sequences.

“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. Danny 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, the San Francisco Deltas and the 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,” Cruz said. “I am looking forward to getting this season started and working towards our goal of winning another USL Championship.”

Cruz and his wife, Brittany, recently welcomed a son, Santiago, to their family. The Cruz family lives in Louisville.

Louisville City is one of the preseason favorites in the Eastern Conference, returning 16 players from its 2019 Eastern Conference Title-winning team including 10 of 11 starters from the 2019 USL Championship title match. The club added MLS veterans Corben Bone and Jimmy Ockford to an already stout lineup and will begin training for the 2020 season later this week.

Fans can secure tickets for the 2020 season by calling (502) LOU-CITY or securing your seats via the club’s web site, LouCity.com. A limited number of single-game tickets will go on sale in February.