RSL Superstars Diego Luna, Emeka Eneli Each Assist A Goal For USMNT

SANDY, Utah- While the rest of the Real Salt Lake roster has just gotten training camp underway, two of the team’s key pieces, Emeka Eneli and Diego Luna, are on international duty with the USMNT in Southern Florida.

The United States are playing their second and final friendly of the January international break against Costa Rica, and both Luna and Eneli got their chances to prove themselves as starters for the USMNT.

Our guys are starting for the stars & stripes 🤩 pic.twitter.com/BZaCHuv41t

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 22, 2025

Diego Luna

Diego Luna made his second start for the USMNT, his first coming last year against Slovenia following the January camp. He subbed on in the United States’ first friendly against Venezuela in the 65th minute without much noise.

Luna earned a start versus Costa Rica and had an eventful night only minutes into the match. At around the 16-minute mark, Diego caught an inadvertent elbow from a Costa Rican defender and blood started gushing from his nose. He received treatment on the U.S. sideline while play continued on the field.

"I said: big balls. … He showed great character." 😂

Mauricio Pochettino on TNT's postgame show on Diego Luna breaking his nose, asking him to stay in the match, coming back onto the pitch and assisting on his first action after coming on.

WARRIOR. pic.twitter.com/Or6W1j9YFL

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 23, 2025

Following the injury, Luna was shown having a conversation with USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, presumably about whether Diego was to continue. Apparently Luna made his case because he returned to play and almost immediately assisted on the game’s first goal.

Luna received a pass with space on the near side of the field as the United States looked to make a push toward Costa Rica’s goal. He dribbled into the middle part of the pitch, surveying for an open teammate.

As a Costa Rican defender stepped up to contest Diego, Brian White made a run into space and Luna hit him with a perfect pass in between two opponents. On White’s second touch, he slid the ball underneath his defender and past the goalkeeper into the back of the net.

Diego Luna and Brian White link up to deliver the lead!#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/g0lghMaiFO

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 23, 2025

Diego Luna was subbed off at halftime to avoid further injury, but his perseverance and skill caught the attention of many USMNT fans. Real Salt Lake even got into the fun, changing their profile picture to a bloody Luna with cotton in each nostril.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/Er0noUOoHD

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 23, 2025

Emeka Eneli

Emeka Eneli made his first USMNT Cap with a substitution appearance against Venezuela last Saturday and made his first senior team start against Costa Rica.

Eneli worked in the midfield, helping the U.S. maintain their clean sheet, and in the 77th minute, it paid off when a moment of defensive brilliance led to the United States’ second goal of the night.

The United States turned the ball over and Costa Rica repossessed deep in their own half. Everyone on the field was turned the other direction, expecting the ball to be pushed up the far sideline, but Emeka pressed his opponent, causing a turnover.

He beat a Costa Rican to it and sent a crossing ball through the box. The Costa Rica defense was completely out of sorts due to the turnover, leaving Caden Clark unmarked 18 yards from the goal. Eneli’s pass was so perfect that it only took Clark a single touch to send his strike into the top corner to give the USA a two-goal lead over Costa Rica.

Emeka is a playmaker 🤝 https://t.co/UKqyqXH5hv

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 23, 2025

The United States went on the beat Costa Rica 3-0.

Big W to wrap up January camp! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NIJFhJwiBA

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 23, 2025

The Real Salt Lake pair will now look to take their good form into training camp as they and the team prepare for the beginning of the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Season.

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake travels to Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday, January 23, for training camp. The Claret & Cobalt will open the 2025 MLS season against former striker Chicho Arango and the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, February 22.

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

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

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