In our family, there's been zero doubt about Diego Luna's USMNT identity

"Like many California-raised Mexican Americans, I've lost count of the times my family has gathered to watch a match between Mexico and the United States. Whether a friendly or World Cup qualifier, the Dos A Cero rivalry attracts the largest crowds to my tia's watch parties, about an hour south of San Francisco. Each clash feels like the fractured embodiment of being Mexican American: the cheering and moaning of Mexican immigrant parents and their Americanized children alike, rife with intergenerational discord."

"Now, the little kid who used to run around my tia's house has transformed into a key member of the US team a fan favorite, a fiery sparkplug and a regular amid a sometimes-agonizing rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino. Diego has appeared in a team-high 13 of the 14 US games in 2025, and he's in the squad again for the team's upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia."

"The 22-year-old's rapid ascendance (with a broken nose incurred in a match against Costa Rica, at that) may have caught soccer pundits off guard, but there has never been any doubt which side Diego represents blood-stained jersey and all. Diego Luna featured prominently for the US U-20 national team. Photograph: ISI Photos/Getty Images His journey in soccer began long before he could dribble a ball."

Family gatherings often center on matches between Mexico and the United States, drawing loud reactions from Mexican immigrant parents and Americanized children. The rivalry symbolizes fractured Mexican American identity and fuels intergenerational debate. Many relatives played soccer at professional, semi‑professional, collegiate, and neighborhood levels. Diego Luna grew up in that environment and often sided with the United States. At 22, he became a fan favorite and regular under Mauricio Pochettino, appearing in 13 of 14 US games in 2025 and selected for friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. He suffered a broken nose in a match against Costa Rica. Diego’s father, Beto Luna, was scouted into professional soccer.

Read at www.theguardian.com