Daniel Cruz

Acquired

FC Dallas signed Cruz on Aug. 4, 2011.

Professional

2011: Cruz made his MLS debut on Aug. 6, just two days after signing with FC Dallas. His first start of the season came on Aug. 20 against Seattle. His first career goal was a game-winner in a 2-1 win over Chicago on Oct. 12. The win secured a playoff berth for FC Dallas. 2000-2010: Cruz spent the majority of his professional career with Germinal Beerschot in the Belgian Pro League where he captained his side to a 2005 Belgian Cup title. The 30-year-old midfielder made more than 150 appearances in league play for Germinal Beerschot, tallying 12 goals. He made his first team debut with for Ajax during the 2000-01 season after spending two years with the club’s reserve squad. He appeared in 11 matches for the first team during his initial season and stayed with Ajax until joining Germinal Beerschot in 2003.

Youth

Cruz spent his youth at Academia de Fútbol Tucumán in Cali, Colombia, where an AFC Ajax scout discovered the 17-year-old while he was training with the América de Cali first team.

Personal
Cruz has one sister and one brother, both older. His sister has three daughters and lives in Montreal, Canada. Cruz’s brother has one daughter and lives in Cali, Colombia. His father, José Luis Cruz, was Argentinean. He played for Club Atlético River Plate and América de Cali. Cruz’s  mother is Colombian. He likes dogs. His favorite food is meat and he likes candy a lot. He likes movies that are based on true stories. His favorite author is Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Colombian writer. If he was not a professional soccer player, he was going to study in America with a full scholarship. When he was 16, he was offered a scholarship while playing in Virginia. He has visited many places through soccer including: China,  Qatar, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, Holland, France, Spain, England, Belgium, Mexico, Panama and Turkey. He has a son Massimo, who is two years old.