While Diego Luna had been with the U.S. men`s national team before, his significant impact story really began with a painful incident. During a relatively quiet January camp match last winter, a 3-0 victory against Costa Rica, Luna suffered a broken nose from an elbow, bleeding heavily. This moment not only led to a memorable comment from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was new in his role, but it also marked the start of the 21-year-old`s rapid ascent from a less-known player to a key figure for the national team.
I was quite taken aback, seeing his nose was broken, you know? But I didn`t want to make it sound overly dramatic and potentially frighten him. So I just asked, `How are you feeling?` He replied, `Coach, please let me continue; I can come off at halftime if needed.` The doctor cleared him, and he returned to the field. On his very first play back, he delivered an assist, leading to a goal. That, I thought, showed real courage.
Luna`s evident bravery and fighting spirit are a welcome change for a USMNT often criticized for lacking grit. This quality quickly earned him favor with Pochettino. In a relatively brief period, he has backed up that strong mentality with impressive on-field performances, arguably making him the team`s most exciting young prospect. He has now accumulated three goals and four assists in 11 international appearances, notably scoring both goals in the crucial 2-1 Gold Cup semifinal win against Guatemala on Wednesday. This recent form positions him strongly for a place on the World Cup squad less than a year from now.
However, despite his rapid progress this year, Luna`s journey to becoming a key player for the USMNT has followed a less conventional route.
Luna`s Humble Beginnings and Unique Path
Today`s USMNT squad, with its strengths and weaknesses, features some of the most gifted players the nation has ever produced. This talent often stems from development paths similar to those of top international players, frequently involving elite academies either in Europe (like Christian Pulisic) or the U.S. (like Tyler Adams), culminating in moves to European clubs. Luna`s career path deviated from this common trajectory. While he spent time with the San Jose Earthquakes youth system and a Barcelona-affiliated program in Arizona, his initial professional deal was with El Paso Locomotive in the USL Championship in 2021. He moved to MLS side Real Salt Lake a year later and remains there. He is well aware that his background differs significantly from many of his national teammates.
Not being widely known yet, not playing in Europe… things like that. I think my path has been quite distinct from many others – from academies to USL, then MLS, through periods of not playing regularly to now starting. Honestly, it`s been a different road, and I`ve always played with something to prove. For me, coming from a challenging background and having to battle for every opportunity I`ve earned makes it natural for me to constantly seek and work for more, aiming to support my family – my son, my parents, everyone. That drive, combined with the chance to represent my country`s badge… what more motivation could you need? Playing for your nation is the ultimate achievement in soccer.
Under the previous coach, Gregg Berhalter, Luna was seldom included in the senior squad. He also wasn`t selected for the U-23 team heading to the Olympic Games last summer, a choice that reportedly surprised several people, including Utah governor Spencer Cox. Rather than remaining on the fringes of the USMNT picture, Luna appears to have embraced the opportunity. He reportedly declined a chance to be an Olympic alternate and had previously indicated openness to playing for Mexico, though that possibility seems distant now given how quickly he has impressed Pochettino. His mental fortitude alone always seemed to align well with the type of player Pochettino looks for in the USMNT squad, even among players eligible for other countries.
If we genuinely feel a player can contribute and enhance our team, we will absolutely commit 100% to that situation. We shouldn`t need to persuade players. A player must possess a strong desire to represent the national team. Speaking personally, as an Argentinian, I was driven to play for Argentina… not for a contract or the chance to play in Europe. I was fiercely eager to defend my country`s colors, its flag. We must be mindful of this. There`s no place for convincing a player. No single player is more important than the entire team or the nation it represents. An American player, if they are truly American, should show an urgent need, demonstrate why we need them. Otherwise, it weakens the federation.
Luna`s Breakout Year
A native of California, Luna previously represented the U.S. at various youth levels. He earned his first senior team appearance in January 2024. However, his breakthrough moment, where he truly began to capture attention, occurred after the incident where he broke his nose, which he quickly followed with an assist earlier this year.
This was an impressive display, though not a guarantee of sustained future success. Nevertheless, opportunities continued to arise for him. The first came in March when the full senior squad, including players based in Europe, gathered in Los Angeles for the Concacaf Nations League finals. Prominent players such as Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna were present. However, injuries to other key players opened the door for Luna and others, like Patrick Agyemang, to join the main group. While the established players struggled in a 1-0 loss to Panama and a subsequent 2-1 loss to Canada, Luna was involved, assisting Agyemang for the USMNT`s sole goal that week. Luna stood out as the one positive in an otherwise underwhelming pair of matches, earning commendation from both Pochettino and his fellow players.
Diego Luna performed well. The eagerness and hunger he demonstrated is precisely what we are looking for. This isn`t a criticism of anyone else; it`s simply an illustration. When I informed him today that he would be playing, he was completely prepared.
He`s a fantastic young player. He clearly has a very promising future. You could see his potential out there today. He offers something unique. He plays with passion, and I admire his style. As I mentioned, he`s headed for a significant future.
This summer`s Gold Cup provided a crucial test: was Luna`s impressive form merely temporary, or did it signal the emergence of a potential star? With two pre-tournament friendlies and the six matches culminating in Sunday`s final, there was ample time to evaluate Luna`s capabilities, particularly within a squad largely missing the USMNT`s core players. Luna`s performance, much like the team`s overall progression, built gradually throughout the summer, but his impact in key matches became undeniable. He contributed two goals and an assist in the two knockout games, demonstrating an aptitude for delivering in high-pressure situations. Luna was arguably the standout player on Wednesday, netting two early goals that compensated for some defensive uncertainties from the U.S. side, while maintaining clear composure and self-assurance when on the ball.
Looking ahead to Sunday`s Gold Cup final in Houston, and with less than a year until the USMNT plays its first World Cup match on home turf, it`s becoming difficult to picture that future squad without Diego Luna. While securing the Gold Cup trophy remains the immediate objective, Luna`s emergence fundamentally validates Pochettino`s strategic choices over the past month. His rise has, at minimum, brought something significantly needed to this U.S. team: genuine competition for places.
