Allan Enzo Cruz Leal (born 24 February 1996) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Herediano and the Costa Rica national team.
Born in Nicoya, in the province of Guanacaste, Cruz began his career with then Primera División club Uruguay de Coronado.[1] On 29 August 2015, Cruz made his professional debut for the club in their 2–0 victory against Saprissa.[2] Prior to his debut, Cruz spent a short period on loan with Generación Saprissa.[3]
On 7 November, Cruz scored his first competitive goal for Uruguay de Coronado in the 11th minute of a 2–1 defeat against Santos de Guápiles.[4]
Prior to the 2017–18 season, Cruz joined Herediano.[5] He made his debut during the club's first game of the season on 29 July 2017 against Guadalupe. He was a starter as Herediano drew the match 0–0.[6] His first goal for the side came on 20 January 2018 against Saprissa in a 1–0 home victory.[7] He ended his first season with Herediano having played in 46 matches and scoring 3 goals.[8]
On 20 February 2018, Cruz made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in Herediano's 2–2 draw against Tigres UANL.[9] The next season, Cruz helped Herediano reach the final of the CONCACAF League, scoring in the first leg of the final against Honduran club Motagua in a 2–0 victory.[10] He then started in the second leg on 1 November as Herediano lost 2–1 but won 3–2 on aggregate.[11]
In December 2018, Cruz helped Herediano win the 2018 Apertura.[11] He started for the club in the second leg of the final against Saprissa as Herediano drew the match 2–2 and won on aggregate 5–4.[12]
On 18 January 2019, it was announced that Cruz had signed with Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati prior to their inaugural season.[11] He made his debut for the club on 10 March 2019, starting in their 1–1 away draw against Atlanta United.[13] Cruz then scored his first goal for FC Cincinnati in their next match against the Portland Timbers. His 61st-minute goal was the second in a 3–0 victory at Nippert Stadium.[14] Cruz ended his first season with FC Cincinnati with 7 goals in 22 matches.[8]
On 1 March 2020, Cruz scored FC Cincinnati's first goal of the 2020 season against the New York Red Bulls, however the club lost the match 3–2.[15]
On October 24, 2022, it was announced that Cruz was departing FC Cincinnati following the end of the 2022 season.[16]
In 2023, Cruz signed once again for Herediano.[17]
In September 2018, Cruz was called into the Costa Rica squad which would take on South Korea and Japan in international friendlies.[18] He started for Costa Rica as they lost 2–0 on 7 September 2018.[18] On 20 November 2018, Cruz scored his first ever goal for his country in their 3–2 victory over Peru at the Estadio de la UNSA.[19]
On 5 June 2019, Cruz was included in Gustavo Matosas' squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[20] He scored Costa Rica's third goal in their opening 3–0 victory against Nicaragua.[21]
Herediano