Diego Luna (soccer, born 2003) explained

Diego Luna
Full Name:Diego Angel Luna[1]
Birth Date:7 September 2003
Birth Place:Sunnyvale, California, United States
Height:1.72m (05.64feet)[2]
Position:Attacking midfielder, winger
Currentclub:Real Salt Lake
Clubnumber:8
Youthclubs1:Palo Alto SC
Youthyears2:2015–2018
Youthclubs2:San Jose Earthquakes
Youthyears3:2018–2021
Youthclubs3:Barcelona Residency Academy
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:El Paso Locomotive
Caps1:41
Goals1:13
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Real Monarchs
Caps2:3
Goals2:2
Years3:2022–
Clubs3:Real Salt Lake
Caps3:56
Goals3:10
Nationalyears1:2021–2023
Nationalteam1:United States U20
Nationalcaps1:21
Nationalgoals1:5
Nationalyears2:2024
Nationalteam2:United States U23
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2024–
Nationalteam3:United States
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:July 7, 2024
Nationalteam-Update:March 22, 2024

Diego Angel Luna (born September 7, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.

Club career

Born in Sunnyvale, California, Luna began his career with the Palo Alto Soccer Club before joining the youth setup at Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes in 2015.[3] [4] With the Earthquakes, Luna participated in various tournaments, including the Dallas Cup and Generation Adidas Cup.[4] In 2018, Luna left the Earthquakes academy and joined the Barcelona Residency Academy, the Arizona based academy for Spanish club Barcelona.[5]

El Paso Locomotive

On April 5, 2021, Luna signed a professional contract with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive.[5] He made his debut for the club on May 8 in their season opening 1–1 draw against New Mexico United. He came on as a 78th-minute substitute for Richie Ryan.[6] Following the match, as well as the second against Rio Grande Valley Toros, Locomotive head coach Mark Lowry said, "He has the mentality to go to the very top and we’re gonna help him do that."[7]

Luna scored his first professional goal for El Paso on June 3, the winning goal in a 1–0 road victory over Austin Bold.[8] He headed in a crossed ball from Macauley King in the 56th minute to give his side all three points.[8]

Real Salt Lake

On June 2, 2022, Luna transferred to Real Salt Lake in a USL record deal of $250,000. He made his debut as an 88th-minute substitute against Vancouver Whitecaps.

International career

Luna has received call-ups to camps with the United States under-14, under-17, and under-20 youth national teams.[4]

In 2022, Luna featured prominently with the United States U-20 team that won the CONCACAF U-20 championship, securing berths for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics in the process.

Luna earned his first selection to the senior national team in January 2024.[9]

On July 23, 2024, Luna, after declining to join as an alternate for the United States Olympic team that was set to participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, he confirmed that he has not ruled out filing a one-time switch to FIFA switching his allegiance with Mexico.[10]

Personal life

Born in the United States, Luna is of Mexican descent.[11] [12]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
El Paso Locomotive2021USL31910329
202210410114
Total411310104313
Real Monarchs2022MLS Next Pro3232
Real Salt Lake2022MLS130130
2023235204032327
202420511216
Total56103140326613
Career total1002541404211228

International

Honors

United States U20

2022

Individual

2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squad List – FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: USA . . 23 . May 18, 2023 . May 18, 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519182011/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce89/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf . May 19, 2023.
  2. Web site: Diego Luna . 21 August 2022 . Real Salt Lake.
  3. Web site: Diego Luna . . May 9, 2021 . May 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509094402/http://grsa.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=7438756&player=592891253 . dead .
  4. News: New Locomotive Crewmember signed! Barca Residency Academy's Midfielder Diego Luna . May 9, 2021 . . April 5, 2021.
  5. News: Ryan . Nate . Locomotive FC sign 17-year old FC Barcelona Academy product . May 9, 2021 . . April 5, 2021.
  6. News: ideo+Story: Locomotive snag a point in final minute with 1–1 draw vs. New Mexico United . May 9, 2021 . . May 8, 2021.
  7. News: Ryan . Nate . 17-year-old Diego Luna making immediate impact on veteran Locomotive FC roster . June 4, 2021 . . May 28, 2021.
  8. News: Moon Shot! Luna scores first pro goal as Locos shut down Austin 1–0 . June 4, 2021 . . June 3, 2021.
  9. Web site: Murray . Nicholas . Diego Luna leads USL alumni on United States Men's National Team roster . USLChampionship.com . . 5 January 2024.
  10. Web site: 2024-07-23 . Diego Luna open to Mexico switch after U.S. snub . 2024-07-24 . ESPN.com . en.
  11. Web site: 2022 Youth Series: Top 20 Born In 2003. Marcus. Chairez. August 8, 2022.
  12. Web site: 2024-07-23 . Diego Luna open to Mexico switch after U.S. snub . 2024-07-24 . ESPN.com . en.