Why Diego Luna’s ‘Hunger, Desire’ has Translated into a Standout Gold Cup
Luna recorded a brace in the first 15 minutes of the USMNT’s semifinal win over Guatemala
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When Diego Luna scored his first National Team goal in the Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinal, he celebrated by pointing to the crest on his jersey.
Then, he doubled that contribution with a brace in the 2-1 semifinal win against Guatemala. And again, he took in the moment with a gesture to his jersey.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino often underscores wanting to see players compete with pride for their country. Pochettino looks to Luna as a clear example of that.
“It’s that attitude, hunger, desire,” Pochettino said. “... [He’s] desperate to play for this shirt for the National Team, and that is why now he is at the level he’s shown.”
In 2025, Luna leads the team in goal contributions with three goals and four assists. He earned just his 11th cap in Wednesday's knockout win. The midfielder got his first call-up in the January 2024 development camp. He’d have to wait a full year until he got his second call-up and made his mark, earning a spot in the Concacaf Nations League roster in March, then as a starter in the Gold Cup.
The 21-year-old caught the attention of many in a January friendly against Costa Rica when he continued to play after sustaining a broken nose. Cotton rolls stuffed up his nostrils to stop the blood didn’t keep Luna from competing. That image has become the embodiment of Luna’s grit and desire.
Captain Tim Ream said Luna is “not fazed by anything.” It’s a quality that the veteran defender hasn’t seen in a while, especially in a player as young as Luna. It’s also why, when the USA needed to set the tone early in the semifinal and match the energy of the crowd at Energizer Park — which was mostly cheering for the opposition — Luna was calm and composed. He bagged a brace in less than 15 minutes to swing the momentum toward the U.S. and lead the Americans to their semifinal win and 13th Gold Cup Final.
“He just has something about him,” Ream said. “That chip on his shoulder that was like, ‘This is me — unapologetically me. Get me the ball. I’m gonna make things happen.’ And let’s drag the rest of us into the fight and get after it. It’s just so nice to see.”
Like many other senior team players, Luna developed playing for U.S. Youth National Teams. He made a particular impact at the U-20 level, winning the U-20 Concacaf Championship in 2022. At the time, he was playing with USL Championship's EL Paso Locomotive, after he signed with the Division II team when he was 17 years old. Later that year, he caught MLS attention and transferred to Real Salt Lake, where he's called home for the last three years. Last week, he was one of seven USMNT players in this camp named to the MLS All-Star roster and will have the chance to represent U.S. Soccer and Real Salt Lake at the MLS All-Star Game on July 23.
Now, he’s shining at the highest level in Concacaf. He’ll have another chance to showcase his skill and be part of his first championship roster as the USMNT faces Mexico in the final at NRG Stadium in Houston on July 6 (7 p.m. ET on FOX).
“It’s going to be about the energy and the grit that we have to really put in good performances,” Luna said of the final. “We have the capability to create chances and players that have the ability to do special things.”
But most of all, it’ll be about the words Pochettino echoed.
“I think it’s about the hunger and attitude going into this,” Luna said.