Lalas singled out the American rising star, saying he's the model of intensity coach Mauricio Pochettino is looking for
Lalas impressed with Luna's ability to exploit oppositionPraised U.S. player's positioning and decision-makingSays performance established Luna's credentials for futureGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Former national team star Alexi Lalas praised Diego Luna’s performance in the USMNT’s 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. The Real Salt Lake star started the Gold Cup opener and played a key role in two of the five goals, getting a pair of assists.
The 2002 MLS Cup winner believes that the USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is using Luna as an example as to what he wants from the other players on the team.
“When it comes to Diego Luna, we've talked a lot about his spirit and his grit and his, you know, work and the effort that he that he puts in,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “That was all there today. But I also thought, again, relative to some not-great competition, the places that he showed up, the way that he showed up – you know, his constant wanting the ball and then the confidence once he got on the ball – I thought this was really, really fun to see him recognize the opportunity.
“And let's be honest, this whole team, once they saw what they were up against, even a few minutes into the game, they had to have smelled blood. And I like that kind of ruthlessness that was part of this team and recognizing that they had, you know, kind of a wounded animal on their hands in Trinidad and Tobago – and the gifts that were being given. Diego Luna, I think came to light again and I think again positioned himself as somebody that Mauricio Pochettino, going forward is going to count on.”
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Lalas said that Pochettino – in wake the controversy over USMNT star Christian Pulisic skipping the Gold Cup – is pointing to the likes of Luna as the model for the intensity he's looking for on the squad.
“Pochettino has had his eyes opened relative to this team and certainly the Christian Pulisic thing," Lalas said. "He's picking and choosing his moments to make his point. And he is using Diego Luna as this conduit to show everybody else how he wants players to approach. There are players at home, but I think Mauricio Pochettino would honestly say, you know what, 'This is a more talented type of player.'
“But I think he wants to use Diego Luna to say, ‘Look, this guy might not be as talented as you, but that heart and that soul, that's what I want.' And guess what? That's what the American public wants to see. And if you can marry the two of them, then you're the complete player.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Diego Luna's emergence reflects the ongoing evolution of the USMNT player pool ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The 21-year-old has earned seven caps for the U.S., contributing to four goals despite limited minutes.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
Following their 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, the USMNT sit at the top of Group D and will face Saudi Arabia in their next game in the Gold Cup on Thursday.
