Real Salt Lake react to Diego Luna's omission from the United States World Cup squad
Quick summary
Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said he was upset after Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo were left out of the United States squad for the World Cup. Luna's exclusion was the bigger surprise given his importance to the national team during 2025.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLuna and Zavier Gozo’s World Cup dreams ended with a Friday email from US Soccer
Real Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni was in disbelief. The US roster for the World Cup would include neither his team’s star playmaker Diego Luna nor their head-turning youngster, Zavier Gozo. While the uncapped Gozo was a late long shot to make the squad, Luna seemed a near-lock given his importance to the national team throughout 2025.
Mastroeni knows the magnitude of these moments. As a player, he was the proverbial 23rd man in 2002, relaying that US coach Bruce Arena told him he’d made the roster as “a rah -ah guy.” Injuries and circumstance, plus his own approach, landed the midfielder in the lineup for the USMNT’s 3-2 win over Portugal to open group play as well as both of its ensuing knock-out matches.
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What happened
Real Salt Lake reacted with disappointment after Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo learned by email that they had not been selected for the United States World Cup squad. Pablo Mastroeni said Luna's omission was especially surprising because the midfielder had become an important figure for the USMNT in 2025. Gozo had been viewed as an outside candidate, but Luna had appeared much closer to making the final roster. The report centers on the emotional and sporting impact of the decision rather than any injury or disciplinary issue.
Chance analysis
This matters because it removes a player widely perceived as a serious USMNT option from the World Cup picture, which may reflect a shift in selection hierarchy or tactical preference. For club football, Real Salt Lake retain both players during the tournament period, but Luna's omission could affect morale and motivation in the short term.
Diego Luna's international outlook takes a clear hit, while Real Salt Lake may benefit from retaining him and Gozo for club duties.
Treat this as a confirmed roster-exclusion signal that is negative for the players' international standing but potentially availability-positive for Real Salt Lake.