USMNT'S Luna, AKA Moon Boy, Shows He Has A Unique Nose For The Goal
USA's midfielder #10 Diego Luna with a broken nose after taking an elbow to the face, celebrates a ... More goal with USA's midfielder #17 Brian Gutierrez during the international friendly football match between USA and Costa Rica at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, January 22, 2025. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
During his short soccer career, Diego Luna certainly has demonstrated that he has a nose for the goal.
Never in his wildest dream did Luna think that a broken nose would help propel his status as a U.S. men's national team player.
During the Americans' 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on Jan. 22, the 21-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder was elbowed in the nose by Creichel Pérez, and was taken out of the game with blood flowing out his broken nose. Luna was forced to leave the match to get some treatment. Cotton was inserted in both nostrils.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino helped his player put on a new shirt. Seconds after Luna returned to action, he received a pass at midfield. He dribbled 20 yards before setting up Brian White, who scored from the top of the box to lift the Americans into a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
That sequence endeared Luna to Pochettino.
"I was very surprised, because he broke the nose," he said during a post-game TV show. "But I didn't want to say [anything]
Several announcers broke up laughing.
"He showed great character," said Pochettino, trying to turn his response more PG rated.
Luna realized that something special happened. 'Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,' he said on Instagram after the game.
Looking back at that game and incident, the player nicknamed Moon Boy admitted that was a turning point in his young career.
"I think that that experience for me was, I could say life changing," he said during a Tuesday afternoon Zoom press conference. "I think it added an opportunity for me to come back into more camps and show the type of grit, and the hunger that I have to play and represent for my country. And I think, yeah, it showcases Mauricio really liked that about me and really liked the fight that I had.
'And I think that shows other players that's what's needed in this team and to fight through everything.'
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 22: Diego Luna #10 of the United States plays the ball during the first ... More half against Costa Rica during an international friendly at Inter&Co Stadium on January 22, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Luna is in camp, preparing for two friendlies before the USA tackles the Concacaf Gold Cup later this month. The Americans host Turkey in East Hartford, Conn. on Saturday, June 7 and Switzerland in Nashville, Tenn. on June 10.
The Sunnyvale, Calif. native credited Pochettino with allowing him to be himself on the field. In other words, he isn't afraid to make mistakes or take risks while trying to unlock a defense with a nifty pass or a hard shot. Luna has reminded some U.S. Soccer observers of American soccer legend Tab Ramos, another creative force with the national team a generation ago.
Luna also praised Pochettino for allowing him to be himself on the field.
"I think the confidence allows me to stay comfortable and allows me to express myself on the field," he said. "And I think that's one of the biggest things is when there's no added pressure when you come into camp from the coaching staff, or from what do they think, or what do they expect from you.
'It's very clear what they want and what their expectations are and to allow me to fully enjoy myself when I'm out on the field.'
Luna always had the reputation as a lethal goal-scoring option, but he wasn't given his first international opportunity until he was called into camp in January.
He was disappointed that he was left off the U.S. roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Instead of fretting, Luna did what he knows best, continuing to be an attacking force for RSL. He finished the 2024 campaign with eight goals and 12 assists. He already has equaled that goal production this year, while recording four assists for RSL (4-10-3, 15 points), which sits in 13th place in the MLS Western Conference.
As for his nickname, Moon Boy, Luna loved it.
"I think it's cool to have a nickname behind you and something that you can grow a fan base with and stuff," he said. 'So, I think it's exciting.'
At 5-8 and 187 lbs., Luna has a low center of gravity, combined with his skill and quickness, has made him a menace for defenders and goalkeepers.
Veteran center back Walker Zimmerman, who plays for FC Dallas in MLS, has learned that firsthand covering him in league play and as a USMNT teammate.
"I love being involved in camp with Diego," he said on Tuesday. 'He's been such a fun player to watch his development and rise over the past couple years in MLS. What he's done is what I expect all of the younger players and new guys who come to camp to do, which is take the opportunity when you get it. And Diego is the perfect example of someone who's done that the first three camps this year. You start to get a little of a taste. It's about you want more. And so for him, this summer, I'm excited to watch. He's going to get into a rhythm and get a bunch of games under his belt and keep growing and keep pushing it. Now he's showing what he can do. And so now your standard bar is here.'
Zimmerman put his hand about up to his shoulder.
"He can't go below it," he continued. 'That's a standard that I will hold him to and that the team will hold him to. I'm excited to see what he can do for us.'
RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni has seen Luna take it to the next level over the past four years. He has enjoyed seeing a teenager turn into a force in the league.
"It's been a long journey for him," he said two days Luna scored twice in a 3-1 win over San Diego in April. "The first six months he was here, he wasn't getting a lot of reps.
'I think what Diego has been able to do year over year has been really dig deep and continue to reinvent himself. He came here as a really technical player. Now he's a very much a cerebral player with a lot of bite. And these players are rare, especially when you have the type of quality Diego has. So, I couldn't be more proud of his growth and his commitment to his craft. The sky's the ceiling for him.'
Certainly an appropriate way to describe Moon Boy's potential.
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