Diego Luna Excited To Translate National Team Lessons In Success With RSL
Jul 10, 2025, 7:10 PM | Updated: Jul 11, 2025, 10:29 am
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Diego Luna #10 of the United States passes the ball while being defended by Jorge Sánchez #2 of the Mexico in the first half during the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 between the United States and Mexico at NRG Stadium on July 06, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
HERRIMAN, Utah – Diego Luna is a hot topic in the U.S. soccer world after the 21-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder scored thrice during the USMNT’s Gold Cup run.
Luna returned to training with RSL this week following his emergence on the international side. He met with the media following training to discuss his experience in the Gold Cup.
“It was cool,” Luna said of the month-long stint. “I think the support that we received was crazy, and I think everybody gave us that extra motivation that we needed. To represent your country at an international level is a feeling that you can’t really put into words. The amount of proud, and honor, and grateful you are to be there to represent the crest is awesome.”
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The experience provided the young goal-scorer with valuable insight into how he can continue improving his game with Real Salt Lake.
“It’s difficult, train, travel, play,” Luna said of the demanding national team schedule. “I think recovery is very important. That’s something that this camp has taught me. Recovery and taking advantage of the staff here and the people that are here, you know, trying to help you, really goes a long way.”
He returned to RSL with a better sense of leadership and an understanding of how he can be a more effective leader both on and off the pitch.
“Going over there and performing for your country and doing very well, and now bringing that here, and keeping that same mindset,” Luna said. “To perform here, to help players, help the team on the field. But even off the field, being more of a leader.”
Diego Luna positions himself for 2026 World Cup roster spot
The U.S. ultimately fell 2-1 to Mexico in the Gold Cup final, but it was still the experience of a lifetime for Luna as he vies for a spot on next summer’s World Cup team.
Luna used the time to measure up against some of the country’s best talent.
“I think that was one of the coolest things, is that I put myself to test against great players around the world that are playing at very high levels,” Luna began. “It really boosts my confidence for one of them because it really showed me that I can perform at these levels.”
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Will #RSL's Diego Luna be on the #USMNT's World Cup roster next summer after his performance at the Gold Cup?
Luna told us this morning that the best way for him to make the team is with how he plays now for RSL.#DaleReal @KSLSports #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ag0hV76y16— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) July 10, 2025
Now that he is back with Real Salt Lake, Luna is solely focused on being the best player he can be for his club.
“I think every opportunity to get to wear the crest, you have to take it, right? And I think every chance you get in, every time you perform, is another step closer, right?” Luna said confidently.
“But at the end of the day, you spend 85 percent of the time here with your club, all the players do. So I think performing with your club is the biggest thing. Now, when you go back to put on the crest, it’s about performing in those moments, and what you’ve done leading up to that, to allow you to have a good week with the national team. So I think the biggest thing is to continue to perform here with RSL.”
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
