Waves

© Christopher Creveling-Imagn Pictures

At simply 21-years-old, Diego Luna is shortly turning into one of the crucial electrifying younger stars in Main League Soccer – and he’s doing it with aptitude, maturity, and a relentless work ethic.

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The Actual Salt Lake attacker will not be solely placing collectively a formidable home season, however he’s additionally turning heads on the worldwide stage with the USA Males’s Nationwide Crew, and fast rise is drawing consideration on either side of the US-Mexico border, due to his Mexican-American heritage and the selection he confronted on which nationwide group to symbolize.

Luna’s efficiency on Matchday 10 made headlines as soon as once more. He netted two objectives in a 3-1 win over San Diego FC, marking his second multi-goal outing within the final 4 MLS matches. With eight aim contributions up to now this season, Luna has reached an elite mark shared with only one different participant aged 21 or youthful: Quinn Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union.

Because the reigning MLS Younger Participant of the Yr, Luna continues to carve out a spot within the league’s report books. His 19 profession objectives are essentially the most by any participant below 22 in Actual Salt Lake historical past, 4 forward of the subsequent closest, Carlos Andrés Gómez. His impression is being felt throughout each section of the sport—and his coaches are taking discover.

“He’s the man,” RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni mentioned after the San Diego match.

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“He performs with a chip on his shoulder. He’s considered one of our greatest defenders, and he performs on the entrance line. He’s placing the ball at the back of the online. He’s doing all of it for our group. It’s actually uncommon for a participant his age to hold that form of burden. However his shoulders are broad and his coronary heart is massive. He was past glorious. He was a person tonight.”

What’s maybe much more spectacular is Luna’s mindset. After his two-goal displaying, he was targeted not on reward, however on development:

“I don’t suppose it’s the most effective I’ve performed and I don’t suppose it’s the most effective I’ll play,” Luna mentioned. “I believe there’s one other stage to me. With extra time, I’m beginning to get there and there’s quite a bit that I would like to enhance on, however we’ll get there.”

That drive for enchancment defines Luna’s journey, which incorporates humble beginnings and distinctive private growth. At one level, he labored part-time at Dutch Bros espresso to enhance his social abilities – an expertise that speaks volumes about his character and willingness to evolve on and off the sector.

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Internationally, Luna’s grit was on full show throughout a USMNT pleasant vs. Costa Rica on January 22. After breaking his nostril mid-match, he insisted on staying in- and promptly delivered the game-winning help.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the second as considered one of each toughness and management.

“I used to be very shocked, as a result of it was broke, you already know?” Pochettino mentioned.

“I requested, ‘How do you’re feeling?’ He mentioned, ‘Please coach, let me maintain enjoying.’ … And the primary motion, help, and we rating. I mentioned, massive balls. He confirmed nice character, and he’s a participant that for certain we’re going to have consideration for the long run.”

© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Pictures

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That future appears more and more vibrant for Diego Luna, who now finds himself on the coronary heart of membership and nation ambitions. Whether or not it’s battling by means of damage, scoring in bunches, carrying the burden of a group on his again and even making espresso, Luna is proving that he’s not only a good moon rising – he’s already shining.