Diego Luna scores twice in USA Gold Cup semifinal victory
- - - Diego Luna scores twice in USA Gold Cup semifinal victoryKTVXDana GreeneJuly 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Diego Luna scores twice in USA Gold Cup semifinal victory
ST. LOUIS (ABC4 Sports) – Real Salt Lake has known for years that they have a budding star in 21-year-old Diego Luna. Now the entire nation is finding out.
Luna scored two goals Wednesday night in Team USA's 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinals. The U.S. will play for its eighth Gold Cup title against either defending champion Mexico or Honduras in the championship match on Sunday in Houston.
Luca with a rip. Luna with the finish.A STATEMENT START! pic.twitter.com/fHWavAjd9u
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2025
"I think it's just finding the rhythm," Luna said. "Being able to get the freedom from the from the coaching staff and from the team and know that they're going to have my back and the trust of the defensive responsibilities, allows me to just do what I do on the ball."
Luna, who last week made his second straight MLS All-Star team, got his first goal after Alex Freeman crossed for Malik Tillman. He touched the ball to Luca de la Torre, whose shot was spilled by goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro. Luna reacted quickly and switched the ball from his right foot to his left, then shot over Navarro's outstretched right hand.
Eleven minutes later, Luna received cross-field pass from Tillman about 40 yards out, dribbled in, got by defender José Carlos Pinto with a stepover and put the ball inside the near post from the edge of the penalty area.
With three goals so far in the tournament, Luna may have locked up a spot on the World Cup roster in 2026.
"It's an honor," Luna said about playing for his country. "I'm extremely grateful, and I think every single one of these players think about it the same way I do. This is the number one dream that we've had as a kid, and we're going to fight for this to have as many chances to wear it as we can."
Diego Luna is certified DYNAMITE! 🧨 A FIRST HALF BRACE FOR M🌕🌕N MAN! pic.twitter.com/UeTNUQjkgP
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) July 2, 2025
Guatemala's team featured two former Real Salt Lake players in Aaron Herrera and Rubio Rubin.
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Source: AOL Sports
