Diego Luna Earns Spot On MLS Matchday Squad With Two-Goal Performance
Apr 28, 2025, 7:35 PM | Updated: 7:37 pm
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake controls the ball past the defense of Anibal Godoy #20 of San Diego FC during the first half of a game at Snapdragon Stadium on April 26, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANDY, Utah- Real Salt Lake’s Saturday match against San Diego FC was one that Diego Luna was initially suspended for, but when his prior red card was rescinded by an independent board and Luna became eligible, he took the opportunity to show out.
RELATED: MLS Rescinds Diego Luna Red Card Against Toronto FC
In RSL’s 3-1 win over San Diego, Luna scored twice on five shots, including the game-winner, earning him a spot on the MLS’s Team of the Matchday, which features that day’s most outstanding players.
That was a Team of the Matchday performance if we’ve ever seen one 👀
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 28, 2025
Against San Diego FC, Major League Soccer’s newest expansion franchise, Real Salt Lake scored three goals, their most in a game so far this season in all competitions.
Two of them came from one of the up-and-coming stars in the sport, Diego Luna, who is poised to have a career year.
Diego Luna Versus San Diego FC
For his first goal of the day, Diego put together a masterpiece, and it all started with a forced turnover.
Willy Kumado was dribbling the ball up the near side of the pitch, but was being rushed quickly by Alex Katranis. The pressure forced Kumado to pass the ball back into the middle of the field, a decision he would soon regret.
The pass was not well placed, and Diego Luna intercepted the ball before it could get even halfway to its intended target. The San Diego defense was forced to scramble and ended up retreating, giving Luna room to maneuver into the box.
Chris McVey and Jeppe Tverskov of San Diego both did their best to get in Diego’s way, so just two steps into the box, he decided to sent the ball on goal, shooting right between the two defenders and bending it past the reach of the keeper and into the far side of the net.
The stunner of a goal displayed exactly why Diego Luna is one of the most exciting young American soccer players on the continent and will continue to get minutes with the National Team.
DIEGO LUNA BEAUTIFUL GOAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C4hnIuTXnw
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) April 27, 2025
Luna’s second goal of the night and the game-winner came from the spot after Jeppe Tverskov conceded the penalty with a hand ball in the box.
Diego confidently approached the ball and sent it into the bottom left corner as the San Diego goalkeeper dove the other way, completing his brace.
🇺🇸 Diego Luna (‘03) converts the penalty to get himself a brace 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XxUMc7DaM8
— American Ultras Talk (@usmntaut) April 27, 2025
Diego Luna already has seven goal contributions through ten MLS games and is well on pace to achieve a new career high in that category. Currently, Diego is on pace to score 17 goals and dish out seven assists.
Up Next For Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake’s next match will come on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on May 3.
Real Salt Lake currently sits at 10th in the Western Conference standings with 12 points, but they only sit four points out of a four-way tie for third place between Austin FC, Minnesota United FC, and the Colorado Rapids.
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All Major League Soccer games are broadcast 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.
