Diego Luna (soccer, born 2003)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Angel Luna[1] | ||
| Date of birth | September 7, 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Sunnyvale, California, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder, winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Real Salt Lake | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Palo Alto SC | |||
| 2015–2018 | San Jose Earthquakes | ||
| 2018–2021 | Barcelona Residency Academy | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2022 | El Paso Locomotive | 41 | (13) |
| 2022 | Real Monarchs | 3 | (2) |
| 2022– | Real Salt Lake | 47 | (8) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2023 | United States U20 | 21 | (5) |
| 2024– | United States U23 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | United States | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 6, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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]
Personal life[edit]
Born in the United States, Luna is of Mexican descent.[10]
Career statistics[edit]
Club[edit]
- As of match played April 6, 2024[11]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| El Paso Locomotive | 2021 | USL | 31 | 9 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 32 | 9 | ||
| 2022 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 4 | ||||
| Total | 41 | 13 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 43 | 13 | |||
| Real Salt Lake | 2022 | MLS | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 3[c] | 2 | 32 | 7 | ||
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 42 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 51 | 7 | ||
| Real Monarchs | 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 86 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 97 | 22 | ||
- ^ Appearance in USL Championship Playoffs
- ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
- ^ Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
International[edit]
- As of match played January 20, 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honors[edit]
United States U20
References[edit]
- ^ "Squad List – FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: USA" (PDF). FIFA. May 18, 2023. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Diego Luna". Real Salt Lake. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ "Diego Luna". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c "New Locomotive Crewmember signed! Barca Residency Academy's Midfielder Diego Luna". El Paso Herald-Post. April 5, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ a b Ryan, Nate (April 5, 2021). "Locomotive FC sign 17-year old FC Barcelona Academy product". KVIA-TV. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ "ideo+Story: Locomotive snag a point in final minute with 1–1 draw vs. New Mexico United". El Paso Herald-Post. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Nate (May 28, 2021). "17-year-old Diego Luna making immediate impact on veteran Locomotive FC roster". KVIA-TV. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Moon Shot! Luna scores first pro goal as Locos shut down Austin 1–0". El Paso Herald-Post. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ Murray, Nicholas. "Diego Luna leads USL alumni on United States Men's National Team roster". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Chairez, Marcus (August 8, 2022). "2022 Youth Series: Top 20 Born In 2003".
- ^ Diego Luna at Soccerway
External links[edit]
- 2003 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Redwood City, California
- American men's soccer players
- American sportspeople of Mexican descent
- Men's association football midfielders
- El Paso Locomotive FC players
- Real Salt Lake players
- Major League Soccer players
- USL Championship players
- Soccer players from California
- United States men's under-20 international soccer players
- Real Monarchs players
- MLS Next Pro players
- United States men's international soccer players
- United Premier Soccer League players