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'Incredible story' - Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas praise Diego Luna's rise from USL to USMNT, say he's made case for No. 10 role

Diego Luna propelled the U.S. men's national team into the Gold Cup final, scoring three goals in his last two games - including a brace in Wednesday night's 2-1 semifinal victory over Guatemala.Former U.S. standouts Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas and Maurice Edu all believe the Real Salt Lake star has made his case to be the Mauricio Pochettino's starting No. 10 in the 2026 World Cup. Donovan pointed to the 21-year-old's rise, noting he actually coached against the midfielder in the USL."Guys, three years ago, Diego Luna was playing in the USL, for the El Paso Locomotive. I literally coached against him - the second division of America," Donovan said on FOX Sports. "Today, he pushed his team to the Gold Cup final. Incredible story, could not be happier for that young man."Omitted from the U.S. Olympic squad last year, Luna has been on fire in 2025. He now has 11 caps and has three international goals after scoring his first in the team's quarterfinal win over Costa Rica.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Luna's form has certainly impressed Pochettino. The question is whether he can not only make the World Cup squad, but perhaps even contend for a starting role - as is the case for teammate Malik Tillman."I feel like the two of them are competing for that No. 10 position, Luna and Tillman," Edu said.Lalas noted that Luna operates in a similar space to USMNT star Christian Pulisic, on the left hand side. Lalas has credited Luna for changing some of the negative perceptions about the U.S. prior to the Gold Cup."He's doing the right things, he's saying the right things, and those moments that are coming are memorable," Lalas said. "It's in the context of a team that came into the tournament, where there was a lot of negativity towards this team. And there still is. I'm sure there's a lot of people who aren't sold on, whether its Diego Luna or anyone else out there. But sports are for the moment. They aren't for being practical, aren't for being realistic. You have to be able to celebrate these moments."Lalas said the energy Luna brings is contagious."It's fun to see this team celebrate," he said. "It's fun to see others celebrate this team in terms of what they are doing. A lot of it is for someone like Diego Luna. For the way that he plays, and the way in which he holds himself when he plays."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With the U.S. now in the Gold Cup final, Lalas said the team's lapses against Guatemala will ultimately serve to their benefit."This is a great moment for this group," he said. "To go through this moment, bend but don't break, was crucial for them. They had to suffer in this game, but in doing so, they got better as a team. They're back in the final, which is great."If Mexico goes through, the U.S. are going to be looked at as an underdog, which is a wonderful position for them to be in. The lessons they've learned over the tournament are incredibly important. &nbsp;Ultimately, they've had people believe in who they are."

WHAT LALAS SAID

The USMNT have now reached their 13th Gold Cup final, and will looking to add to their previous seven wins - the most recent coming in 2021.

WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?

'Incredible story' - Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas praise Diego Luna's rise from USL to USMNT, say he's made case for No. 10 role | Goal.com

Luna scored two goals in the first 15 minutes as the USMNT held on to beat Guatemala 2-1 and advance to Gold Cup final