Diego Luna Scores First USMNT Goal In Close Win Over Costa Rica
Jun 30, 2025, 5:24 PM
EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 7: Diego Luna #10 of the United States prepares for a corner kick against Turkey during the first half of an International Friendly match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on June 7, 2025 in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Real Salt Lake star Diego Luna continues to be a difference-maker for the USMNT.
In the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals against Costa Rica, Luna netted a first-half equalizer — his first international goal for the U.S.
The USA gets the job done! pic.twitter.com/42NtH5HBpw
— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) June 30, 2025
Diego Luna, Max Arfsten Score In Regulation For USMNT
The game started out in favor of Costa Rica.
A Max Arfsten foul in the box put Francisco Calvo on the spot in the 12th minute. He slotted his shot into the bottom right corner to give Costa Rica the early lead.
30 minutes of back-and-forth later, it was the USA’s turn.
Arfsten got his first bit of revenge, setting up Luna in the middle for a left-footed shot that deflected off a defender and into the back of the net.
Diego Luna ties it for the USA! pic.twitter.com/orHtyEdJhR
— Gold Cup (@GoldCup) June 29, 2025
Arfsten’s second bit of revenge quickly followed.
Immediately after the half, Malik Tillman put the ball in front of him on the left side of the box, and he placed his shot in the opposite bottom corner to give the U.S. its first lead of the match.
Costa Rica didn’t lie down there, though. In the 71st, Alonso Martínez dove down the center of the box to clean up a miss and level the score at 2-2.
Ultimately, the game ended up going through overtime and into penalties. Both the USMNT and Costa Rica made three of their first five. Goalkeeper Matt Freese saved the final attempt, and Damion Downs stole the win by netting the USA’s fourth.
The USMNT will face Guatemala in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (MT).
Diego Luna With The USMNT
Following an impressive U.S. youth career, Luna made his senior debut in January 2024. He has played in four games with two assists since then.
The most recent appearance, in the CONCACAF Nations League, marked an important moment in Luna’s national career. With an assist and a late near-equalizer, the RSL star was a consensus top performer for the USA.
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