While Diego Luna had previously featured for the U.S. men`s national team, the defining moment in his journey began with an unexpected blow to the face. During the first half of the USMNT`s 3-0 victory against Costa Rica last winter, a largely unremarkable friendly match held during the annual January camp, Luna suffered a broken nose, causing blood to pour from both nostrils. This incident not only prompted a memorable quote from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was only months into his tenure, but more crucially, it marked the starting point of the 21-year-old`s swift ascent from relative international obscurity to becoming a key fixture on the national team.
“I was very surprised, because it was broke, you know?” Pochettino recounted in a post-match interview. “But I didn`t want to sound overly dramatic, because it might scare him. I asked, `How do you feel?` He replied, `Please coach, let me keep playing, because at least after the half, I`ll go out.` The doctor agreed, `Yeah, yeah, okay, you go in.` And on the very next play, he provided an assist, and we scored. I thought, `big balls.`”
Luna`s demonstrated courage is a welcome addition to a USMNT squad often criticized for lacking competitive fire, quickly endearing him to Pochettino. In a short period, he has combined this strong mentality with impactful performances on the field, arguably positioning him as the team`s most exciting rising star. He now boasts three goals and four assists across 11 national team appearances, notably scoring both goals in the USMNT`s 2-1 triumph over Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday. This puts him in a strong position to secure a spot on the World Cup roster less than a year from now.
As rapid as Luna`s progress has been this year, his path to a significant role with the USMNT hasn`t followed the conventional script.
Luna`s Unconventional Path
This current iteration of the USMNT, despite its challenges, features some of the most gifted players to ever represent the nation. This is largely due to their development aligning with elite global standards. Many honed their skills in academies, whether in Europe like Christian Pulisic or the U.S. like Tyler Adams, advancing through the ranks before ultimately playing for European clubs. Luna`s trajectory is different – although he spent time in the San Jose Earthquakes system and attended a Barcelona residency in Arizona, his first professional contract came with the USL Championship`s El Paso Locomotive in 2021. A year later, he joined MLS club Real Salt Lake and has remained there since. The contrast in his career background compared to many of his national team peers is something he is acutely aware of.
“Not having my name be out there and not playing in Europe yet, stuff like that,” Luna commented in March after contributing an assist in the USMNT`s 2-1 defeat to Canada in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match. “I believe the route I`ve taken is quite distinct from many players, moving from academy to USL to MLS to not playing and now starting. Honestly, it`s been a different journey, and I`ve always played with a chip on my shoulder.”
“I think for me, it`s coming from a difficult background and having to fight for everything I`ve earned. I think it`s easy for me to say that I`m looking for more, working for more and to provide for my family, for my son, for my mom, dad, all these types of things so I think it`s just that and to be able to play for the crest. I don`t know what other motivation you need, right? I think it`s the biggest step in soccer to play for your country.”
Luna was seldom included during the tenure of Pochettino`s predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, nor did he make the U-23 squad for last summer`s Olympic Games qualifiers, a decision that surprised many, including Utah governor Spencer Cox. The player declined opportunities to remain on the fringes of the USMNT setup – he turned down a chance to be an alternate in Paris and stated he was open to representing Mexico, though that possibility seems less likely now after gaining Pochettino`s trust. Luna has always seemed a strong candidate for Pochettino`s vision of the USMNT based purely on mentality, a factor that applies even to players eligible for multiple national teams.
“If we genuinely believe that a player can benefit us and improve the team, of course, we will be fully dedicated to that situation,” Pochettino stated in a November press conference. “We don`t need to persuade players. A player needs to *want* to play for the national team. I am Argentinian. I wanted to play for Argentina… it`s not because of a contract. It`s not because of the opportunity to play in Europe. No, I was desperate to defend my badge, my flag. We need to be cautious. There is no need to convince a player. No single player is bigger than the team or the 300 million people it represents. The player, if he is an American player, must demonstrate a burning desire to play. Because, if not, we are a weak federation.”
Luna`s Breakthrough Year
Luna, a native of California, has represented the U.S. at various youth levels and earned his first senior cap in January 2024. However, he didn`t truly become a player of note until the incident where he broke his nose and subsequently provided an assist earlier this year.
While a significant performance for any player, it doesn`t automatically guarantee future success. Yet, opportunities continued to arise for him, starting in March when the full senior squad, including European-based players, assembled in Los Angeles for the Concacaf Nations League finals. Key figures like Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna were present, but injuries to other important players meant Luna and others, like Patrick Agyemang, had a chance to integrate with the regulars. While the established players struggled to make an impact in a 1-0 loss to Panama and then a 2-1 loss to Canada, Luna assisted Agyemang for the USMNT`s only goal that week. Luna was effectively the only positive takeaway from a lackluster series of matches, earning praise from both Pochettino and his teammates.
“Diego Luna played well,” Pochettino remarked after the Canada match. “His demonstrated desire and hunger are exactly what we look for, and that`s not to imply anything negative about the others. It`s simply one example. When I told him today, `You are going to play,` he was ready.”
Christian Pulisic echoed the sentiment.
“He`s a great kid, man,” Pulisic said. “He has a really promising future. You could see it today. He offers something unique. He plays with heart, and I admire his style of play. As I said, he has a bright future ahead.”
This summer`s Gold Cup, however, presented an opportunity to determine if Luna`s form was a temporary peak or a sign of genuine star potential. Between two pre-tournament friendlies and the six matches comprising the run to Sunday`s final, there was ample time to evaluate Luna`s ceiling, particularly within a roster missing most of the USMNT`s mainstays. Luna`s form, much like the team`s overall performance, started slowly this summer, but the results began to speak for themselves. He has scored two goals and provided an assist in two knockout matches, demonstrating an ability to perform in crucial moments. Luna was undoubtedly the star of the show on Wednesday with two early goals that bailed out a shaky defensive performance from the U.S., while visibly composed and assured in attack.
Even before the opening whistle of Sunday`s Gold Cup final in Houston, and with 11 months until the USMNT`s first game at a World Cup on home soil, it`s difficult to imagine that team without Luna. While winning the regional trophy will be the USMNT`s primary objective in a few days, Luna`s emergence alone validates Pochettino`s recent tactical explorations, at the very least creating something this version of the U.S. has desperately needed: genuine competition for places.
