About Cruz Medina
Cruz Medina is a rising star in the world of soccer. Born on September 24, 2006, in San Francisco, California, Medina began playing soccer at a young age and quickly showed promise as a talented player. He has since gone on to become a highly sought-after player, with many teams vying for his skills on the field.
Medina’s talent was recognized early on when he was selected to play for the United States U-17 national team. He has since become a key player for the team, scoring a hat trick in a game against Panama in the CONCACAF U-17 Championship. In June 2022, Medina signed a contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, becoming a homegrown player for the team.
Medina’s skills on the field have been praised by many, with MLSsoccer.com describing him as a “central midfielder with an eye for goal”.
After seeing him play, I’m going to predict that we will see him on a professional and international level for many more years to come! He’s that good.
Early Life of Cruz Medina
Cruz Medina grew up in a soccer-loving family, with his father running a local club called Bay City. Medina started playing soccer at the age of four with his dad’s team and continued to play with them until he was 11.
At 11 years old, Medina joined the San Francisco Glens, an affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes’ Partners in Development program. He played for the Glens until he was scouted by the Earthquakes Academy.
Medina’s talent quickly became apparent, and he was soon selected to represent the U.S. Youth National Team (USYNT). He has since become a regular fixture in the national team setup and is considered one of the most promising young players in the country.
Despite his young age, Medina has already achieved a lot in his young soccer career. He has signed a Homegrown Player contract with the San Jose Earthquakes and has made his debut in the MLS, becoming the third-youngest player in club history.
Cruz Medina’s Soccer Career
Professional Career
In June 2022, Medina signed his first professional contract with the San Jose Earthquakes II, making him the youngest player in the club’s history to sign a contract. He made his MLS NEXT Pro debut on August 6, 2022, in a match against the Houston Dynamo. Medina played as a central midfielder and helped his team secure a 2-1 victory.
Medina’s performance in his debut match was impressive, and he quickly became a regular starter for the Earthquakes II. His skill on the ball, vision, and passing ability make him a unique talent in the middle of the field.
International Career
Medina has represented the United States at the youth level, playing for the U-17 team. He made his debut for the national team on September 5, 2022, in a match against Costa Rica. Medina played as an attacking midfielder and scored his first goal for the national team in the same match.
Medina’s performances for the U-17 team have been impressive, and he has become one of the key players for the national team.
As of September 2023, Medina has made 14 appearances and put in 5 goals.
Cruz Medina’s Playing Style
After watching some of the USYNT games, it’s obvious Cruz Medina has special offensive talent. He is a versatile attacking midfielder who possesses excellent technical ability, vision, and creativity on the ball.
Attacking
Medina’s attacking prowess is one of his biggest strengths. He has a natural ability to find space in the final third and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is comfortable playing in tight spaces and can often beat defenders with his quick feet and close control.
Medina is also a good finisher and has a keen eye for goal, making him a constant threat in the attacking third.
Passing
Medina’s passing ability is another key aspect of his game. He has excellent vision and can pick out a pass from anywhere on the field. His range of passing is impressive, and he is equally comfortable playing short, quick passes as he is playing long, cross-field balls.
Medina is also capable of playing through balls to the strikers.
Work Rate
Medina’s work rate is also noteworthy. He is a hard-working player who is always willing to put in a shift for his team. He tracks back well and is not afraid to put in a tackle when needed. Despite being an attacking midfielder, Medina is also a team player and is always looking to help out his teammates, both in attack and defense.
Cruz Medina’s Highlights
Here’s a video of Cruz Medina’s early highlights. There will be more to come!
Written By: Beau Bridges
Founder of SoccerNovo
I’m Beau 👋 a proud dad of an MLS NEXT player, former soccer coach, soccer enthusiast, and board member of our local youth sports program. I created soccernovo.com to share my knowledge of the game and help parents learn more about youth soccer in the U.S. I also authored an eBook ‘Soccer Coach Made Simple‘. Learn more about Beau.
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