Luna’s Promising Future with Real Salt Lake and USMNT

omidbasir- Sources confirm that Real Salt Lake is determined to retain Luna throughout the summer and possibly beyond. Luna signed a new contract with the club in 2024, providing Real Salt Lake the option to extend his tenure through the 2028 MLS season.

On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that Luna has attracted interest from Spanish clubs, specifically Espanyol and Celta Vigo, both of which are keen on signing him. However, Real Salt Lake has no intention of parting ways with a player who has become a pivotal figure for the team.

Having emerged as a notable talent in MLS during 2024, Luna earned the MLS Young Player of the Year accolade. His promising trajectory continued into 2025, where he made significant strides both at the club and international levels.

Luna impressed USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino in January by playing through a broken nose during his second camp with the national team. He became a consistent presence throughout the year, participating in 17 matches and scoring four goals, including one against Uruguay in the USMNT’s final international fixture of 2025. His performance also earned him a spot on the Gold Cup Best XI as recognized by CONCACAF.

On the club front, Luna contributed nine goals and seven assists, which garnered him a second MLS All-Star selection. Furthermore, he received the 2025 Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, honoring his efforts to effect positive change through soccer.

As the year 2025 concludes, Luna is focused on 2026 and is determined to secure a place on the USMNT’s World Cup roster. Despite facing intense competition, he expressed optimism about the upcoming challenges in an interview with GOAL in November.

“I believe this was a remarkable year, and I will reiterate that I expect next year to be even more exceptional for me,” he stated. “My goal every year is to surpass my previous performance. I aim to improve in terms of statistics, mental health, physical condition, and my overall well-being. I am committed to a holistic approach to life.”

He added, “This period is not an offseason for me; rather, it is an opportunity to blend quality time with my family while maintaining a strong work ethic. I recognize that this year holds immense potential, and I am fully focused on maximizing it. That is my mindset.”

Real Salt Lake is set to commence their MLS season on February 21 against the defending Western Conference champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps. Meanwhile, Luna will also be preparing for March’s international break, during which the USMNT will face Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta.