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- Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win against San Jose Earthquakes, breaking RSL's three-game draw streak.
- Luna, who spent his youth near the San Jose stadium, marked his second goal in four games after a previous nine-game drought.
- This goal was significant both personally for Luna, who celebrated with his family in the stands, and for RSL, as it moved them 5 points ahead of Houston.
SAN JOSE — Diego Luna seems to play with a little extra juice in the south San Francisco Bay area.
The star Real Salt Lake midfielder grew up a few miles from the San Jose Earthquakes stadium, and began his pro career with their academy at the ripe age of 12.
Saturday in San Jose, he found his second goal in four games after a nine-game drought, and broke a streak of three consecutive ties for RSL in a 1-0 win.
The goal came with 12 minutes remaining in the match as Luna got the ball at the top of the box and fired a shot at the far post, ricocheting into the back of the net — a shot that had just a 6% chance of going in, according to MLS stats.
DIEGO LUNAAAA 🔥@realsaltlake breakthrough in the 78th minute.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 6, 2024
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/SMIXeJXIJCpic.twitter.com/igBkU1OzOS
The northern California native immediately pointed to his family in the stands, and his smile stuck for the rest of the night.
"Probably one of the best feelings I've had in this game playing soccer," Luna said of the goal. "I think just staying positive, continuing to work, and then, you know, things like that happen and go your way, and you've got to keep pushing."
Head coach Pablo Mastroeni said Luna's goals of playing for the national team and in Europe drive his hardworking mentality, despite a setback when he was not selected for the U.S. Olympic team over the summer.
Saturday's score gets Luna to 19 total goal contributions on the season and earned RSL the full 3 points to move 5 points clear of Houston for a top-four spot and home-field advantage in the playoffs.
A win in the final regular season game against Vancouver guarantees RSL a top-four spot and participation in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The finale kicks off at 7 p.m. MDT on Oct. 19 at America First Field.
