Leaving Luna Out Of USMNT's World Cup Squad Is A Head Scratcher

BusinessSportsMoneyLeaving Luna Out Of USMNT's World Cup Squad Is A Head ScratcherByMichael Lewis,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. U.S. men's national team and soccerFollow AuthorMay 29, 2026, 06:21am EDTMay 29, 2026, 06:25am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 02: Diego Luna #10 of United States celebrates after scoring the second goal of the game against Guatemala during the first half of the Gold Cup 2025 Semifinals at Energizer Park on July 02, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)Getty ImagesDuring the USA's 3-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica on Jan. 22, 2025, Diego Luna caught the eye of U.S. men's head coach Mauricio Pochettino because his nose caught the elbow of Creichel Perez.Luna was taken to the sideline with blood flowing from his broken nose as he needed some treatment from the team's medical stuff.Cotton was inserted in both nostrils, and Luna was ready to go.USA's midfielder #10 Diego Luna with a broken nose after taking an elbow to the face, celebrates a goal with USA's midfielder #17 Brian Gutierrez during the international friendly football match between USA and Costa Rica at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, January 22, 2025. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesLuna shows he has a ‘nose’ for the goalPochettino helped his player put on a new shirt. Only seconds after Luna returned to the fray, he received a pass at midfield. He dribbled 20 yards before setting up Brian White, who scored from the top of the penalty to lift for the USA's first goal, in the 21st minute.That sequence endeared Luna to Pochettino, at least for a while.“I was very surprised, because he broke the nose,” he said. “But I didn’t want to...