Diego Luna's Stellar Display Fuels US World Cup Ambitions
Diego Luna showcased his exceptional talent in a commanding performance for Real Salt Lake on Saturday, significantly bolstering his case for inclusion in the US World Cup roster. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder was instrumental in his team's 4-2 victory over San Diego FC, contributing a goal and two assists in a match that highlighted his growing influence at club level.
Luna's Timely Return to Peak Form
Luna's resurgence comes at a critical juncture, following a knee injury that delayed his start to the season and kept him out of Mauricio Pochettino's final pre-tournament squad in March. His opening goal in the fourth minute, capitalizing on a defensive error with an xG of 0.86, set the tone for a dominant display. Luna's celebration, with palms pushing downward, seemed to signal a calming of anxieties surrounding his form for both club and country.
He continued to shine, providing a precise cross for rookie striker Sergi Solans to head home just two minutes later, giving Real Salt Lake a 2-0 lead within six minutes. Luna's second assist came just before halftime, cementing his impact on the match. This performance marked his first game with multiple goal contributions since July 2025, ending a 17-appearance drought for RSL and reminding selectors of his creative prowess.
Competition for World Cup Spots Intensifies
Luna's timely return to form places him firmly in contention for one of the final attacking midfield or winger spots on the US squad. With Patrick Agyemang's achilles injury likely shifting Haji Wright to striker, an additional slot may open up behind projected starters Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie. Luna faces direct competition from Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson, making every performance crucial in the lead-up to squad selection.
Pochettino has previously expressed the difficulty of roster decisions, stating he was "suffering in advance" over the selection process. Luna's weekend display has undoubtedly complicated those deliberations in the best possible way, presenting the manager with a welcome headache as he finalizes his 26-man squad for the tournament.
Columbus Crew's Defensive Struggles Deepen
Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew's inability to hold leads has become a concerning trend this season. In their latest setback, they surrendered a one-goal advantage to lose 2-1 against the New England Revolution, marking the third time in eight games they have turned an early lead into defeat. No MLS team has dropped more points from winning positions than Columbus this campaign.
Systemic Issues Plague Rydström's Side
The Crew's problems extend beyond mere misfortune. Despite ranking fourth in average vertical pass distance (3.98 yards) and maintaining decent build-up play, they sit 21st in both expected goals (10.6) and goal difference minus xG (-3.5). The absence of star striker Wessam Abou Ali, sidelined for the rest of 2026 with a torn ACL, has exacerbated their scoring difficulties.
Manager Henrik Rydström acknowledged the mental aspect of their struggles, stating, "We were too passive with the ball. It's a mental aspect of the game that you have chased the ball a little bit without them creating, and then you want to rest when you have the ball. We can't do that." The Crew now sit 12th in the Eastern Conference, trailing even struggling CF Montréal due to MLS's tiebreaker system prioritizing wins.
Messi Continues to Rescue Inter Miami
Lionel Messi once again proved indispensable for Inter Miami, scoring twice in their 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids. The 38-year-old opened the scoring with a penalty before netting a spectacular winner in the 62nd minute, curling a shot to the far post after cutting in from the right channel. This decisive contribution came exactly 19 years after his famous solo goal against Getafe, underscoring his remarkable longevity.
Interim Management and Messi-Dependence
With Javier Mascherano's surprising departure as manager, interim boss Guillermo Hoyos has taken the reins, relying heavily on Messi's genius. The "Messi-dependencia" that characterized his later years at Barcelona and with Argentina has become even more pronounced in Miami, where the Argentine superstar remains as vital to their success as any player in the league.
Miami's title defense continues despite the managerial change, with German Berterame adding his second goal in as many games before Colorado's comeback was thwarted by Messi's late heroics in front of a massive crowd at Empower Field at Mile High.
Weekend Highlights Across MLS
The weekend's action featured several notable developments across the league:
- Toronto FC and Austin FC played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Kobe Franklin equalizing for Toronto in the 88th minute. Austin now ranks second in points dropped from winning positions with nine.
- Atlanta United suffered a sobering 2-0 defeat to Nashville SC, winning just two of their last ten matches. Cristian Espinoza scored the winner for Nashville in the 61st minute.
- CF Montréal responded to Marco Donadel's sacking with an emphatic 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls, though they remain winless in their other six matches this season.
- Cristian Roldan strengthened his World Cup case with a first-half brace in Seattle Sounders' 4-1 win over St Louis City, while Albert Rusnák contributed three assists.
- Héctor Herrera celebrated his 36th birthday eve with the winning goal in Houston Dynamo's 1-0 victory at Orlando City, his first since returning to the club this winter.
As the MLS season progresses, individual performances like Luna's will continue to shape national team selections, while teams like Columbus must address systemic issues to salvage their campaigns. Messi's enduring brilliance remains the league's standout storyline, proving that even at 38, he can single-handedly determine outcomes for his team.
