Diego Luna Gives Real Salt Lake Lead With Near-Unsavable Header

HOUSTON – Late in the first half against the Houston Dynamo, Diego Luna turned a Dominik Marczuk shot attempt into an assist as he jumped in front for a header.

The play gave Luna his first goal in the 2025 MLS season.

DIEGO LUNA! @realsaltlake take the lead right before the half. pic.twitter.com/1qDk455YvS

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 16, 2025

After the first 45′, seven minutes of stoppage time was added.

Knotted at 1-1, both sides turned up the intensity in hopes of an advantage at halftime. Marczuk was a perfect example of this.

After barely missing a shot to the left moments prior, Marczuk called his own number again from the right side of the box. However, Luna jumped in front of the rocket and redirected the ball into the right side of the net after the Houston goalkeeper had already committed to the far left shot.

50′ | Take the lead off the dome of Moon Man!!!#HOUvRSL | 1-2 pic.twitter.com/D7fHz9NRl9

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 16, 2025

Marczuk’s boot could have very well been a pass the whole way.

However, considering the speed, the setup, and how Luna wasn’t at the spot yet, the eye test makes it seem like a Luna redirect.

Also of note, the goal wouldn’t have been possible without Luna demonstrating excellent balance and ball control to keep the ball in bounds about 15 seconds before the shot.

Real Salt Lake Looks For First Road Win Against Rival Dynamo

Unfortunately, Houston has had Real’s number in the last few seasons. In 2023, the Dynamo eliminated RSL in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. They added insult to injury by bouncing them in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs later that year.

Last year, Real Salt Lake and Houston faced off in the Leagues Cup group stage. The Dynamo beat RSL 3-0 which kicked Real out of the tournament. The last ten matches between the clubs have seen six Dynamo wins, two RSL wins, and two draws.

To start the 2025 MLS season, Real Salt Lake has one win and two losses. They have yet to pick up a win on the road. Houston has one draw and two losses which means they have yet to win at home.

This matchup is the first of two between the clubs in the regular season.

RSL Gameday Reading

• Real Salt Lake Crumbles In Second Half, Falls To San Diego
• Real Salt Lake Capitalize On Sounders Mistakes In Home-Opening Win
• Disappointing Loss Eliminates Real Salt Lake From Champions Cup
• Real Salt Lake Finalizes Roster For 2025 MLS Season
• Forster Ajago Scores Real Salt Lake’s First Goal Of 2025
• Real Salt Lake Musters Zero Offense In Blowout Loss
• Real Salt Lake Picks Up Scoreless Draw Against C.S. Herediano
• Real Salt Lake Releases New Kit For 2025

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

All Major League Soccer games are broadcasted on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2024 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.

You can find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.

For more Real Salt Lake coverage and analysis, subscribe to The RSL Show and follow them on Instagram. 

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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