Diego Luna is making his strongest case for a US World Cup roster spot

Diego Luna had one of his best games at club level on Saturday. Photograph: Real Salt Lake/MLS/Getty Images Twelve months ago, Diego Luna’s place on the US roster for the World Cup seemed as secure as anybody’s. He was an early favorite of Mauricio Pochettino, a player blending scrappy tenacity with a playmaker’s eye.

Seventeen of his 18 senior caps have come under Pochettino, most recently scoring his fourth goal for the US in their 5-1 blowout of Uruguay in November. Nonetheless, Luna finds himself on the bubble of making this summer’s 26-man squad. An ill-timed knee injury sidelined him for Real Salt Lake until their fourth game, and his comeback process left him unavailable for Pochettino’s final pre-tournament window in March.

Even though the US struggled against Belgium and Portugal, Luna – like any World Cup hopeful on the fringes – had to restate his bona fides to ensure he’s in Pochettino’s plans. He has done so. Luna was at his absolute best for Real Salt Lake on Saturday, taking it to visiting San Diego FC from the opening whistle.

In the fourth minute, Luna crashed the box on a short restart between goalkeeper Duran Ferree and center-back Manu Duah, getting a foot on Ferree’s second pass to direct the ball into the net. In case you’re wondering, that chance carries an xG of 0. 86, according to Fotmob.