From Coffee Cups To The Gold Cup: Diego Luna's Unlikely Path To Soccer Stardom

Editor's note: Diego Luna scored two goals for the U.S. in the Gold Cup semifinals on July 2. This story was originally published on May 22.

Diego Luna wasn't about to let a broken nose ruin his opportunity.

In the first 15 minutes of a United States men’s national team friendly against Costa Rica in January, Luna took an elbow to the face which broke his nose. This training camp was his first under Mauricio Pochettino, who was hired as the USMNT’s head coach last September. Luna, with only one cap to his name at the time, understood this was a huge moment to make an impression on a new coaching staff ahead of two pivotal years: the USMNT would be competing in the Concacaf Nations League Finals and the 2025 Gold Cup before co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. 

So when the 21-year-old attacking midfielder ran over to the sideline with a bloody nose, he pleaded with Pochettino to let him stay in the game.

Diego Luna burst onto the scene with his bloody nose and tough performance against Costa Rica in January. (Photo by Roy K Miller/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

"I could still run, I could still play soccer, I could still see, so I just told them, ‘At least let me play until halftime and then I’ll come out,’ Luna recently explained to me.

The U.S. manager checked with team doctors, who stuffed Luna’s nose with gauze and sent him back onto the pitch. Moments later, Luna slipped a pass to Brian White who scored the Americans’ opening goal in a 3-0 victory.

Luna was subbed off at halftime and eventually went to the hospital for surgery. He became a cult hero in the process.

"Big balls," Pochettino told the broadcast post-game with a chuckle. "He showed great character."

Luna’s effort was rewarded when Pochettino called