While Diego Luna had been involved with the U.S. men`s national team before, the key moment marking his recent ascent started with an unexpected blow: an elbow to the face. During a typically low-profile January camp match against Costa Rica last winter, Luna suffered a broken nose, with blood flowing from both nostrils. This incident not only prompted a memorable reaction from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was relatively new in his role, but critically, it became the unexpected catalyst for the 21-year-old`s rapid transition from a lesser-known player to a significant figure on the national team.
`I was very surprised, because it was broke, you know?` Pochettino commented in a post-match interview. `But I didn`t want to say nothing [with] too much drama, because [it might] scare him. I said, `How do you feel?` He said, `Please coach, let me keep playing, because at least after the half, I go out.` The doctor said, `Yeah, yeah, okay, you go in.` And the first action, assist, and we score. I said, big balls.`
Luna`s described `big balls` mentality is a welcome addition to a USMNT often criticized for lacking competitive fire, quickly endearing him to Pochettino. In a short timeframe, this mindset has translated into tangible results on the field, arguably positioning him as the team’s most compelling rising star. He currently boasts three goals and four assists across 11 national team appearances, notably scoring both goals in the USMNT`s 2-1 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal victory over Guatemala. This performance has put him firmly in contention for a spot on the World Cup roster less than a year away.
Despite the speed of Luna`s emergence this year, his path to a meaningful role on the USMNT roster hasn`t followed the conventional route.
Luna`s Unique Journey
The current iteration of the USMNT, despite its flaws, features some of the most gifted players in the team`s history. This is largely due to their development mirroring global elite standards, with many progressing through academies (either in Europe like Christian Pulisic or the U.S. like Tyler Adams) before moving to European clubs. Luna’s trajectory differs; though he spent time in the San Jose Earthquakes system and a Barcelona residency in Arizona, his first professional contract was with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive in 2021. A year later, he joined MLS club Real Salt Lake, where he has remained. He is acutely aware of the contrast in his background compared to his national team colleagues.
`Not having my name be out there and not playing in Europe yet, stuff like that,` Luna reflected in March after providing an assist in the USMNT`s 2-1 loss to Canada in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match. `I think the route that I`ve taken is very different than a lot of players, from academy to USL to MLS to not playing and now starting and honestly, I think it`s been a different route and I`ve always got 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 rarely a consideration under Pochettino`s predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, nor was he selected for the U-23 squad for the previous summer`s Olympic Games – a decision that surprised many, including Utah governor Spencer Cox. The player declined opportunities to remain on the periphery of the USMNT scene, turning down a chance to be an Olympic alternate and stating he was open to representing Mexico. However, that seems to be old news following his success in winning Pochettino’s confidence. Luna has always appeared to be a strong fit for Pochettino`s vision of the USMNT, based purely on his mentality, a factor applicable even to players eligible for multiple national teams.
`If we really believe that a player can help us and can improve us, of course we are going to be 100 percent involved in that situation,` Pochettino stated in a November press conference. `We don`t need to convince [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 the possibility to play in Europe. No, I was desperate to defend my badge, my flag. We need to be careful. [There is] no need to convince a player. One player cannot be more important than the team or 300 million people. The player, if he`s an American player, needs to be desperate, needs to show that we need him. Because, if not, we are a weak federation.`
Luna`s Breakthrough Year
Luna, a California native, has represented the U.S. at various youth levels and earned his first senior cap in January 2024. However, he truly gained prominence after his broken nose incident earlier this year, followed by that crucial assist.
This was a notable performance, but not necessarily a guaranteed indicator of future success. Yet, opportunities continued to arise. First, in March, when the full senior national team, including Europe-based players, gathered in Los Angeles for the Concacaf Nations League finals. While mainstays like Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna were present, injuries to others created chances for Luna and players like Patrick Agyemang to integrate with the regulars. While the established players struggled in a 1-0 loss to Panama and a 2-1 loss to Canada, Luna assisted Agyemang for the USMNT`s only goal that week. Luna was the sole highlight in an otherwise uninspiring series of matches, earning praise from both Pochettino and his teammates.
`Diego Luna played well,` Pochettino remarked after the Canada match. `The desire and the [hunger] that he showed is what we want and that is not to say nothing against the rest of the people. It`s only one example. When I told [him] today, `You are going to play,` he was ready.`
Christian Pulisic echoed this sentiment.
`He`s an awesome kid, man,` Pulisic said. `He`s got a really bright future. You can see it today. He brings a little something different. He`s got heart and I love the way he plays and like I said, he`s got a big future ahead.`
This summer`s Gold Cup provided the perfect stage to assess whether Luna`s form was a fleeting moment or the early signs of star potential. Between two pre-tournament friendlies and the six matches leading to the final, there was ample time to evaluate Luna`s capabilities, especially on a roster missing most of the USMNT’s core players. Luna’s form, much like the team`s overall progression this summer, developed gradually, but the results eventually became undeniable. He contributed two goals and an assist in the two knockout matches, showcasing an added ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Luna was undoubtedly the standout player in the semifinal, scoring two early goals that compensated for a shaky U.S. defense, all while appearing remarkably composed and confident on the field.
Even before the Gold Cup final in Houston and with 11 months remaining until the USMNT`s first World Cup match on home soil, it is challenging to envision that team without Diego Luna. Although winning the continental trophy is the immediate priority, Luna`s individual ascent alone makes Pochettino`s recent experiments a success. At minimum, it has cultivated the one thing this version of the U.S. squad has sorely needed: a genuine sense of competition for places.
Benedict Kingsley