“This is a week to enjoy soccer, to come together,” Luna said. “At the same time, there is a competitive nature to it and, of course, we want to win.”
That joyful but fierce balance has become his calling card. Now a back-to-back MLS All-Star and USMNT breakout star, Luna carries both the scars and confidence of someone who’s truly bet on himself and won.
“This past 50 days has been an amazing time for me,” Luna said. “The path I took, and the effort, and betting on myself has allowed me to showcase, and to prove people wrong… to move to the next level.”
Luna’s run to the 2025 MLS All-Star Game included a standout Gold Cup campaign with the USMNT, where he tallied three goals and four assists and drove the team to the final against Mexico. His opening goal came against Costa Rica – the same opponent he broke his nose against back in January.
That injury set off one of the most visually memorable chapters of his 2025 campaign: the face mask. It was custom made for him after the swelling went down and was meant to protect his surgically repaired nose while the bones knit. Then suddenly Luna turned up at a Real Salt Lake match with no mask.
The rumor that Luna stomped it to pieces in training, hoping to ditch it for good?
“No, I didn’t step on it. I threw it and it cracked a little,” Luna said with a laugh.
The mask was supposed to stay on until July. He made it to mid-March. The issue wasn’t comfort, it was performance.
“In basketball, the guys wear it and you can see in front—everything is up here,” he said, gesturing in front of his face. “But in soccer you’ve got the ball down at your feet in your peripheral vision. Everything in front was clear, but when it came down here,” motioning below his waist, “I couldn’t see it.”
After a five-game run to start the season with no goals or assists in league and Champions Cup play while wearing the protective mask, Luna broke through in his first match without it – March 15 against Houston. He ran onto a blistering Dominic Marczuk cross and headed it home for the winner in a 2-1 victory – a scary moment for fans who had noticed he wasn’t wearing the mask.
“Later it was scary,” Luna said. “But I never had any thought about it (in the moment). It was, ‘I’m gonna head this ball and it’s going inside the goal.’”
His season hasn’t slowed since: eight goals and four assists in 19 MLS matches, plus a leadership role at Real Salt Lake.
Luna said he was never the guy to speak up. His style of leading was only on the pitch by making sure he was doing his part with the team by running, working both sides of the ball, creating chances and scoring goals.
“But now with all the experience I’m gaining and these things that are happening at a young age, it’s time for me to take that next step and become a vocal leader – somebody that people can look up to in the locker room,” he said.
But when asked what he would do if MLS All Star Coach Nico Estévez handed him a mask to wear at gametime, Luna didn’t hesitate. “I’d throw it in the trash,” he said, laughing.
The MLS All-Stars won the 2025 Skills Challenge in dominant fashion, claiming a 4-2 victory over their LIGA MX counterparts Tuesday night at Q2 Stadium. Luna, more involved this year after a limited role in 2024, said he relished the chance to get creative.
“Having a taste of it last year but now being able to be more involved this year, I’m excited to go out there and have some fun,” he said Monday. He backed that up Tuesday night with energy, skill, and flair.
His favorite event? The two-touch long ball control and finish challenge: “It’s difficult,” he admitted.
And yes, he’s got a celebration locked and loaded. “Speed kind of showed me a new celebration. I asked for a signature one so he kinda gave me a little dance, so hopefully I can bring that out tomorrow or when I score the next goal.”
Speed is the internet personality Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins Jr., a popular YouTube star with 42.6 million subscribers. He is known for his viral antics and soccer fandom and was invited to co-host the All-Star Skills challenge where he spent time with several players like Luna.
“It was cool,” Luna said. “For somebody you watch on TV, it’s always kind of weird when you see them in person. But they’re just a human being like you. He was super nice.”
When he was a kid, Luna dreamed of being a firefighter: “I wanted to help people.” Now he’s doing that with his play both at the club and international level.
He thrived during extended time with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino (and staff) during the Gold Cup. “Being together with someone for a month brings the chemistry and understanding together,” Luna said. “It allowed me to show how I work and understand what their main focus is.”
The motivation now?
“Family. My son is about to be two years old. That’s all I really need. I think there’s a big ceiling for me and I’m just trying to reach as much as I can while I’m still playing.”
He’s also relishing the challenge of facing elite players like James Rodríguez. “It’s awesome to compete against him, to see the level and compare how you are to a player like him.”
Could this be his last All-Star Game?
“It could be anyone’s last All-Star Game,” Luna said with a laugh. “Right now I’m playing for RSL, I’m here at All-Star Week, I’m really going to enjoy this week.”
As for what’s next: “The next few months is putting in the extra work, making myself the best that I can be to be able to have a chance for the World Cup roster.”
“Don’t follow the crowd,” Luna said. “Everyone was going to MLS academies but for me it was listen to your gut. What’s going to be the most beneficial to you in the next one to two years? Take those steps, prove yourself, and make the jump when it starts to feel comfortable.”
When asked by a member of the media from Mexico whether he’s “wasted” at a small-market club, Luna didn’t flinch.
“RSL took a chance on me and it’s for me to repay them for helping me develop,” he said. “They’ve helped me along the way and gave me the opportunity.”
And next up? Club América in Leagues Cup.
“That’s going to be a very exciting game. It will be good for the club, for the fans- for the players to really test themselves against a very good Club América team.”
On Tuesday night, Luna lined up alongside USMNT legend Clint Dempsey in the Passing Challenge. Since Dempsey’s retirement, US fans have bemoaned the lack of a replacement- someone with top-tier technical ability spiced with grit and swagger. Along the Gold Cup run, fans and pundits alike began wondering if Luna isn’t the player they’d been waiting for.
“It’s amazing to be in the same category,” Luna said with trademark humility. “To be able to be in the Skills Challenge with him is awesome. Hopefully we can have some banter, express ourselves, and win.”
This is the reward for all the hard days – the sacrifices, the uncertainty, the mask.
“These moments and these weeks are something to take advantage of and enjoy. It’s been difficult, and there’s a lot of sacrifices that play into it. But I’m grateful to be here and I’m excited.”
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