Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Juan Cruz Real (born October 8, 1976) is a former Argentine footballer currently the manager of América de Cali. He had numerous stints in South American leagues, and finished off his career in the Canadian Professional Soccer League.
Playing career
Cruz Real began his career in his native country with Argentinian giants Independiente. In 1997, he signed with Deportivo Español, and the following season he went to Colombia to play for Millonarios F.C.. In 1999, he returned to Argentina to sign with Arsenal de Sarandí. Soon after he featured in the lower Argentinian leagues with Independiente Rivadavia, and Almirante Brown de Arrecifes, winning the Torneo Argentino A in 1999. Cruz Real had a stint overseas in the island of Haiti with Roulado in 2002, and returning to the South American continent in 2003 with Unión San Felipe of Chile.
In 2004, he went once more overseas to Canada to sign with the Brampton Hitmen of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He made his debut for the club on September 10, 2004 in a match against Toronto Supra. He helped Brampton secure a postseason berth by finishing fourth in the Western Conference. He featured in the wildcard playoff match against Toronto Croatia, but were eliminated by a score of 3-1.
The following year he signed with division rivals the Hamilton Thunder. His achievements with Hamilton where clinching the division title, and qualifying for the postseason. He featured in the semi-final playoff match against Oakville Blue Devils, but lost to a score of 2-0. In 2009, he had a stint with North York Astros in the Canadian Soccer League.