Luna Inclusion Warranted

Playmaker Earned Another Call-up Following a Successful January Camp and Start to the MLS Season

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna has been named to Mauricio Pochettino's 23-player roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League Finals. The 21-year-old playmaker will join the U.S. Men's National Team as they pursue an unprecedented fourth consecutive Nations League title.

Luna, who earned MLS Young Player of the Year honors in 2024 after recording eight goals and 12 assists for RSL, is one of six MLS-based players selected from January's camp. He joins Patrick Agyemang and Brian White as one of three players earning their first USMNT call-up during an official FIFA international window.

The Sunnyvale, California native significantly impressed Pochettino during January's friendlies, particularly in a courageous performance against Costa Rica. Despite suffering a broken nose early in the match, Luna refused to leave the field and provided an inch-perfect assist to Brian White for the game-winning goal.

"I think that showed a lot about my mentality and the kind of determination that [Pochettino] likes," Luna said. "I think he saw that I'm not your typical US player or your typical number 10."

Pochettino valued Luna's grit, calling him the following day to check on his condition and later praising his "big balls" refusal to exit the match.

Luna's unconventional path to the national team has been marked by bold decisions and personal growth. He left the San Jose Earthquakes academy at 15 for Barcelona Residency Academy, then developed through the USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive before joining RSL in 2022.

"It's been years of being underestimated," Luna reflected. "I feel very grateful to look back and realize that I've worked hard to be here and that I deserve this opportunity."

Luna will join the squad in Los Angeles on March 16, following RSL's weekend match against Houston.