Danny Cruz acquired from Houston

D.C. United announced today the team has acquired midfielder Danny Cruz from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a partial allocation. The 22-year old is originally from Petersburg, Virginia and spent three seasons with the Dynamo.

“We’re pleased to have concluded a deal to acquire Danny from Houston,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a tenacious player who brings a lot of energy and bite to the midfield and we are thrilled to have him at United. At 22, he has enormous upside and we look forward to his contributions for years to come.”

Cruz saw time in 20 matches (13 starts) during the Dynamo’s 2011 campaign, collecting two goals and three assists, despite missing time due to a quad injury. He also started all four of the Dynamo’s four MLS Cup playoff matches, helping the team to the MLS Cup final before falling to the LA Galaxy 1-0. In 2010, the 5-foot, 8-inch midfielder started 14 of the 25 matches he played in, notching two goals and two assists in 1,362 minutes on the field – his career high. During his rookie campaign in 2009, Cruz was used as a substitute on six total occasions, totaling 107 minutes on the pitch. Houston originally acquired Cruz in the third round (41st overall) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

Prior to joining the Dynamo, Cruz spent two years at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. His two-year totals were 31 matches played (30 starts), to go along with nine goals and seven assists.

Cruz has also been a member of the U.S. Youth National Team at various levels since 2007 when he represented his country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. Most recently, he wore the U.S. shirt at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, starting two of three matches played in the tournament.