Real Salt Lake had dropped four of its last five games and was coming off consecutive controversial losses entering its inaugural visit to San Diego on Saturday night. The Snapdragon visit marked the first leg of a three-game road trip, paramount to the Claret-and-Cobalt locker room that the Utah side got off on the right foot - and did they ever.
RSL defeated San Diego, 3-1, in dominant fashion, the breakthrough victory orchestrated by a superb, collective effort that demonstrated the rising potential and growing cohesion of the team that has endured quite the rollercoaster during the first one-third of its 2025 season. Every player back-to-front contributed to this crucial victory, one which could be viewed as a turning point as RSL plays five of its next seven through May 31 away from home.
Standout starlet Diego Luna provided another sterling performance today, netting two goals just 10 minutes apart in either side of halftime, giving RSL the lead on each of the two separate occasions. Luna continues to shine this season, providing RSL a team-high five goals on the year and showcasing his abilities during these feast-or-famine times. RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni and Luna’s teammates continue to stimulate his growth and provide the needed support as the 2024 All-Star and reigning MLS Young Player of the Year shows why he could become a U.S. mainstay under the Pochettino regime. Saturday’s match was a clear example.
Saturday’s match also required an unexpected change in the opening 20 minutes, after a collision between GK Rafael Cabral and DF Brayan Vera caused the Colombian centerback to leave the game due to an apparent concussion. His replacement, MLS veteran Sam Junqua, was firm on defense and scored for the first time in an RSL uniform, providing the game’s dagger that sent the full three points back to Utah. During a time where injuries have plagued the roster, the Junqua emergence directly impacted the result in favor of the Claret-and-Cobalt.
In this edition of Player Spotlight, we’ll take a deeper look into the notable displays from both Diego Luna and Sam Junqua during the 3-1 win against San Diego.
Diego Dominates with Double Damage
While the scoreline and result might demonstrate a stellar performance from RSL, however, the encounter didn’t necessarily start out that way. In fact, San Diego, got off to the faster start, finding space on the pitch that made visiting Real Salt Lake a bit uncomfortable. It wasn’t until midway through the first half that RSL began to find its footing and start to move the ball around in possession, although the final ball and attacking danger left sequences wanting.
Insert dynamic playmaker Diego Luna, who, as most have come to learn by this point, only needs a most minute of moments to change the entire trajectory of a match.
Only minutes before the end of the first half, Luna recovered a clumsy ball from a San Diego defender in the rival’s half and took matters into his own hands. Dribbling a few touches forward, getting in behind the defense and then proceeding to cut onto his preferred right foot, Luna split two defenders with his shot from the top of the 18-yard-box. “Moon Man’s” curling ball into the top right corner of the net was nearly impossible for any shotstopper to save, the moment of pure brilliance all RSL needed to secure the lead just before halftime.
Nevertheless, San Diego pulled one back deep into first-half stoppage after a foul was whistled in the box, Mexican attacker Chucky Lozano burying the penalty past Cabral.
The second half began with a resolute attitude for the Utah club, which was determined to recover from yet another officiating intervention at the end of the first 45 minutes. Nine minutes into the second stanza, RSL put together a dangerous attack that pressured the San Diego defense. Moments after an attacking onslaught, a VAR check ensued due to a possible handball in the home side’s box.
Much to everyone’s collective disbelief, RSL was awarded the attempt - perhaps exhausted by recent VAR adjudications in the recent month against Dallas, Nashville and Toronto. As the center official pointed to the penalty spot, a rare but golden opportunity was awarded to Pablo Mastroeni’s team.
Who stepped up to take the high-pressure penalty, just one of a handful in the last three seasons? The team’s red-hot, incendiary superstar, Diego Luna. He set his sights on giving the team a vital lead that could potentially change the course of the entire season. Of course, there was a massive amount of pressure on the 21-year-old to deliver another goal and add to his tally of five on the season. With little distractions, he stepped up to the spot and buried it into the bottom left side of the net, giving RSL the 2-1 lead with nearly 35+ minutes remaining.
Perhaps the Luna brace had a psychological effect on San Diego, which was unable to recover and seriously threaten RSL for the remainder of the match. While helping lead the Club to its fourth win of the campaign, ‘Moon Man’ ended the night with five shots, three on target, 85% passing accuracy, and 28 completed passes in one of his top showings so far this season.
Sam Seals it with a Stunning Strike
The night also called for a surprise appearance, at least earlier than expected. In the case of Sam Junqua - who had recently started three consecutive matches at left back, prior to the Alex Katranis return - the MLS veteran replaced the concussed Brayan Vera just 19 minutes into the game, following a collision with teammate Rafael Cabral. Junqua’s versatility made him the next man up with an opportunity to leave a lasting impression for fans, teammates, impartial observers, everyone.
Junqua made the most of his opportunity, adding to the brilliant defensive stand the team showed throughout the 90 minutes. Although he wasn’t playing in his preferred left back position, where we’ve mostly seen him so far this season, the former Cal Golden Bear showed no signs of weakness or discomfort, thwarting goal-threatening chances by the opponent.
Sixty-six minutes into the game, the California native served up his crowning moment wearing the RSL uniform thus far. On the move in the attacking third, DF Alex Katranis received the ball on the left side, sending in a first-touch cross that was cleared out by a rival defender. The ball fell into the path of Junqua, who proceeded to take a touch to set himself up from nearly 25 yards out from goal, then driving a low, powerful, left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the San Diego goal, extending the RSL lead to 3-1. The keeper had no chance of stopping the shot and as a result, Junqua celebrated his first goal with the Club and his seventh as a professional.
It was the mentality, grit, fortitude and belief in the critical moments throughout the match that allowed RSL to take advantage of its newest Western Conference foes, coupled with the right decisions from the sidelines that allowed the club to celebrate the win and take the three points. Moreover, Real Salt Lake is the first team to have defeated San Diego in its home stadium since debuting in the league this season, a magnificent way to start this three-game away stretch.
