Cruz, McDonald Disciplined by MLS

D.C. United players Danny Cruz and Brandon McDonald have been disciplined by MLS following Saturday's FC Dallas match at RFK.

MLS released the details in an official league announcement yesterday afternoon. 

From MLSSoccer.com News Release:

NEW YORK (April 3, 2012) – The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee issued the following actions based on games in Week 4 of the MLS Regular Season:

• Danny Cruz (D.C. United) is fined for his act of embellishment which brought the game into disrepute. Mr. Cruz’s action occurred in the 71^st minute of the match between FC Dallas and D.C. United on Saturday, March 31^st. For video CLICK HERE.

• Brandon McDonald (D.C. United) is suspended for one (1) game and fined for his reckless challenge that endangered the safety of his opponent. Mr. McDonald’s action occurred in the 20^th minute of the match between FC Dallas and D.C. United on Saturday, March 31^st. For video CLICK HERE.

Fines collected will be donated to the charitable partners of MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the MLS Players Union.

A Minute With: Andrew Dykstra, D.C. United Goalkeeper

Last week we launched a new video series called, A Minute With, that featured D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz (click to see episode 1). The series focuses on players who are from Virginia and have gone on to succeed at the next level be it college, professional, or international. In our latest segment we feature recently signed D.C. United goalkeeper and VCU alum Andrew Dykstra.

Dykstra is a Virginia soccer native and the newest United roster member. In this segment he chats about his roots playing youth and college soccer in Virginia and his new role as goalie with the Black and Red.

We hope you enjoy the segments and if you have any players you would like to see featured on up comming segmants of A Minute With just tell us below in the comments section.

A Minute with Danny Cruz, D.C. United Midfielder

Virginia Online Soccer News continues to grow and look for new ways to provide more original content to our readers. We are extremely honored to announce the addition of video segments provided by Eric Hunsaker. Eric is a D.C. based TV Producer and Director, Documentary Film Maker, US Soccer Enthusiast, and part of the host team for the new Fans of United podcast along with former United player and Winchester, VA native Devon McTavish.

Enjoy the first installment: A Minute with Danny Cruz.




Danny Cruz was acquired by United during the recent off season from Houston. Cruz is of particular interest to VA Soccer News because the 22 year old midfielder is from Petersburg, VA.

Danny Cruz Player Profile on DCUnited.com

United acquire Virginia native Danny Cruz from Houston

D.C. United Press Release:

D.C. United acquires Danny Cruz from Houston

United sends partial allocation to Houston for 21-year old midfielder

Washington, D.C. (January 20, 2012) – D.C. United announced today the team has acquired midfielder Danny Cruz from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a partial allocation. The 21-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 (41^st 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.

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Follow Danny Cruz on Twitter: @dannycruz5 And check him out in this video from the 2011 MLS Cup in L.A.