Cruz ‘fond’ of Loons despite two near misses

U.S. OPEN CUP >> MNUFC AT LOUISVILLE CITY, 6:30 P.M. TONIGHT, CBSSN

The successful Louisville City coach played for Minnesota in the NASL days

Former Minnesota United midfielder Danny Cruz, seen before a match in Louisville, Ky. on March 22, is now the head coach for Louisville City FC, who the Loons face in the U.S. Open Cup. CONNOR CUNNINGHAM — LOUISVILLE CITY FC

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By Andy Greder

agreder@pioneerpress.com

At two different stages in Danny Cruz’s life, Minnesota United represented what might have been, as a player and a coach.

In 2016, the midfielder joined the Loons for their final NASL season, but MNUFC did not sign him to join a list of seven lower-level players joining the club in MLS.

“First of all, I loved it,” Cruz said of his time in Minnesota. “I was pretty gutted that I didn’t get to stay when they went into MLS. It was a big reason I went there in the first place, hoping for that opportunity. At the same time, nothing but positive things to say about the organization.”

After Cruz’s playing career ended with brief stints with the NASL’s San Francisco Deltas and USL’s Real Monarchs in 2017, he climbed the ranks at Louisville City, becoming the USL Championship side’s head coach in 2021, leading to Minnesota interviewing him for its vacant head coaching position.

Cruz told the Pioneer Press he had a “long involvement” in the Loons’ hiring process that included multiple interviews as MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad vetted candidates over a months-long search before Eric Ramsay won the job.

“I have a lot of respect for Khaled and his process,” Cruz said. “I think he’s done a great job in his time there. And that should be echoed to say the same thing about Eric.”

On Wednesday, Cruz’s Louisville City will host MNUFC in the U.S. Open Cup’s round of 32 at 7 p.m. at Lynn Family Stadium in Kentucky.

“After that process that I went through, I’ve obviously followed Minnesota closely,” he said. “I think Eric has done a tremendous job. I really have enjoyed watching his teams play. It’s also listening to how he speaks in the press, his demeanor, those are all things that I followed. So, it is a club that I am fond of.”

Pleasantries aside, Louisville City will be a stiff test for the Loons.

Cruz, 35, has had huge success in his five seasons at LouCity, with annual deep playoff runs in USL Championship. Last season, LouCity set the USLC’s single-season wins record (24-4-6), and this year they are the last remaining unbeaten team (5-0-2).

Cruz said the key to his success is within the players, front office and the support he receives from ownership.

“Our process is pretty set,” he said. “We don’t deviate from the process. The players that I get to work with every day have a clear understanding of how we want to play, the expectation of the culture at this at this club.”

Back in 2016, Cruz prided himself on creating connections during his time in Minnesota, with teammates to staff. He looks forward to reconnecting with some of the remaining staff when they are in Louisville.

“This game and what we are fortunate to be able to do is … all about creating meaningful relationships,” he said. “The people that you’re going to be around on a daily basis, really trying to understand who they are as people. What makes them tick? What are things they enjoy? What are the things that they don’t (enjoy)?

“I go about my business the same way with my (Louisville) players. I genuinely care about each and every one of them. I want to push them to be better. I want to push them to help them get to whatever level they want to achieve; that’s part of my job from a development standpoint. At the same time, the way to help them get there … is by winning.”