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SANDY — Diego Luna etched his name in the Real Salt Lake record books the same night he became the potential face of its future.
The 19-year-old prodigy scored a goal in each half of Saturday's 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls to become the youngest player ever in RSL history with multiple goals in the same game. He doesn't turn 20 until September.
"I feel good, I'm happy, and I'm glad to be out there on the field and contribute to the team," Luna said. "You have to adapt and you have to grow as a player. I've been asked to play on the left wing and I'm starting to enjoy every game more and learn about the position."
Luna also scored the fastest goal since March 2022 for RSL when he finished a cross from Jefferson Savarino in the second minute to give the home team an early lead.
"One of the things that we talk about with Luna is getting into the box," head coach Pablo Mastroeni said. "You're not gonna score goals if you're not in the box. So it's great (for him) to feel what it is like to get in dangerous areas."
A rocket straight to the moon 🚀🌕 pic.twitter.com/ueZXpQTVW4
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) July 16, 2023
The Red Bulls briefly gained momentum amid some officiating frustration from RSL later in the half, but Luna quieted the counters with his second goal in the 53rd minute on an intricate passing display between the teenager and surging striker Danny Musovski, who now has four assists on the season to go with five goals.
New York pulled one back in the 80th minute, but Savarino responded just seconds later with an impressive strike from outside the box to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the struggling Eastern Conference squad.
"The thing that makes me proud of this group is that different players are making a difference in different games," Mastroeni said. "(Savarino) is contributing, Chicho, and today was Luna as well doing a great job — a really good performance from the guys."
The win puts RSL in a tie for third place in the West with LAFC — pending other results around the league.
Saturday's match marked the last MLS clash for RSL until Aug. 20, with Leagues Cup group play beginning on July 22 against Seattle at home.
