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<ul><li>Luna cited watching academy peers struggle for meaningful minutes</li><li>Emphasized how competing against seasoned professionals fast-tracked his development</li><li>Opened up about his chances at making the USMNT’s 2026 roster</li></ul><div data-name="Apple TV" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" class="logo" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link" rel="sponsored">Stream games now</a></div><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'It’s grind time' - RSL and USMNT's Diego Luna reveals intense focus to make Mauricio Pochettino's 2026 USMNT World Cup roster

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<p>Diego Luna is one year away from potentially realizing a lifelong dream - potentially representing the U.S. at a World Cup on home soil - and the Real Salt Lake midfielder says that possibility now shapes everything he does as a professional.
</p><p>“Yeah, I think for me, when you really think about it, when you really lock in, it gives you chills, like goosebumps,” Luna told the Unfiltered Soccer podcast. “It’s like, how crazy - for me, the journey that I’ve had - and to be one year away from potentially playing in a World Cup, it’s crazy to even say that sentence.
</p><p>“To even put that in the air, it’s crazy to have that, but for me, it’s about the grind every day now. That’s the big goal.”
</p><p>The 20-year-old has emerged as one of RSL’s most creative midfielders and a name to watch ahead of the U.S. men’s national team’s 2026 World Cup roster decisions. With increased opportunities at the club level and appearances with the U.S. youth national teams, Luna says his mindset is locked in on maximizing every chance — and proving he belongs among the crowded pool of American attackers.
</p><p>“Every game with RSL, every opportunity I get with the national team, it’s grind time,” he added. “You’ve got one big goal in a year, and every little thing you do is now setting you up to either make it or to not. And that’s exactly how it is. Like you said, there’s a bunch of players that are really talented in this position. We have the opportunity to represent our country, so it’s not going to come easy. And for me, that makes it more fun — you’ve got a bunch of guys fighting for this one opportunity, and it’s something very exciting.”
</p>

WHAT HAPPENED

<p>While Luna is thriving now, his journey to this point was far from conventional. Rather than go the traditional MLS academy route, Luna made a bold choice to begin his professional career in the USL Championship — a decision he made after watching several talented academy peers struggle to get first-team minutes.
</p><p>“Yeah, so it was definitely a decision that my family, agents, and me all had to be a part of,” Luna said. “And I think, for me, it was mainly my decision because I was seeing kids getting brought into MLS teams and then just kind of floating around in the second team, not getting minutes and stuff like that. I was seeing this happen with my own eyes. I thought about the opportunity to go prove myself and earn my spot, and kind of rise up the ranks.”
</p><p>Luna joined El Paso Locomotive as a teenager, quickly becoming a regular contributor. He said the physical demands of playing against experienced pros, rather than other teenagers, accelerated his growth.
</p><p>“When you go to MLS Next Pro, you’re going to be playing against academy players or guys that are young kids,” Luna explained. “But when you go into the USL Championship, that’s a division of grown men — good pros. If you’re a young player like I was, going into that environment, you’re competing against faster, stronger guys, and you still have something to prove.
</p><p>“Once you perform there, you can showcase that you’re ready for the next level.”
</p><p>Luna has certainly proven that. After standing out in the USL, he made the jump to MLS and is now firmly in the national team conversation. </p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/sT_svb8CrxQ" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe><p></p>

WHAT DIEGO LUNA SAID

<p>Luna has gotten off to a hot start, with seven goals and two assists in 13 appearances. Unfortunately, RSL haven't been able to match his form, sitting 12th in MLS's Western Conference. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Luna will look to continue his impressive club form to strengthen his case for inclusion in the upcoming Gold Cup squad. RSL face the Vancouver Whitecaps next on May 24 and then Austin FC on May 28.</p>

WHAT’S NEXT?

'It’s grind time' - RSL and USMNT's Diego Luna reveals intense focus to make Mauricio Pochettino's 2026 USMNT World Cup roster | Goal.com

The USMNT midfielder discussed how this unconventional developmental path accelerated his professional growth and prepared for the MLS

&apos;It’s grind time&apos; - RSL and USMNT&apos;s Diego Luna reveals intense focus to make Mauricio Pochettino&apos;s 2026 USMNT World Cup roster

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