The US Men’s National Team could not have dreamed up a better start to the night after taking an early 2-0 lead against Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final.
After escaping a potential cataclysmic upset loss against Costa Rica just days ago, Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit has blitzed out of the blocks against Los Chapines and can thank budding star midfielder Diego Luna for it.
During a continued rise to prominence for club and country, the 21-year-old Real Salt Lake creator-in-chief added his second goal in his last two appearances for the Stars & Stripes inside just four minutes.
The diminutive playmaker did well to pounce in the box after Guatemala shot-stopper Kenderson Navarro could only parry away Luca De La Torre’s effort from just outside the box into his path, gifting Luna a golden opportunity he made sure to convert.
Not finished there, Luna would complete his brace ten minutes later with an expert finish from range after receiving in the left half-space from Malik Tillman’s pass before wiggling his way into shooting range and dispatching a low drive past Navarro at the near post.
With that, the US now looks primed for a possible Gold Cup final clash with bitter rivals Mexico should El Tri see their way past Honduras later tonight while Luna, who now sits on three goals in 11 caps, continues to stake his claim for a prominent role under Pochettino.
📸 TIM VIZER – AFP or licensors
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