Real Salt Lake Midfielder Diego Luna Named MLS Young Player of the Year

21-year-old is the second player in club history to earn the honor after producing a career-high 20 goal contributions and being named to the 2024 MLS All-Star Team

NEW YORK (Thursday, November 7, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna as the 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year. The 21-year-old is the first RSL player to win the award in its current iteration and the second RSL player to earn the honor overall since Corey Baird was named MLS Rookie of the Year in 2018.

In just his third MLS season, Luna produced eight goals and 12 assists, providing the second-most goal contributions for the club with 20 during the 2024 MLS regular season. Luna is the second player in league history to record at least 20 goal contributions in a single season before turning 21, joining Diego Rossi (21 in 2018). Luna also became the first player 20 years old or younger to produce at least 10 assists in a single season since Talles Magno did so for New York City FC in 2022.

Luna’s 2024 MLS regular season was highlighted by marquee moments of his development into one of Salt Lake’s most integral players, including a pair of three-assist matches against LAFC and Atlanta United. For his efforts against LAFC, which led RSL to a 3-0 win, Luna earned Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra honors for Matchday 25. Luna aided the Claret-and-Cobalt to a club-record 59 points, which was the team’s best output in 20 seasons, while also earning a qualification for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup based on their record in the Supporters’ Shield standings.

The U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder also earned his first MLS All-Star Team selection this season and was the youngest member of the side that faced the LIGA MX All-Stars in Columbus, Ohio.

He is the third American to be named MLS Young Player of the Year in its current iteration and the third recipient of the award to have played in MLS NEXT.

The Young Player of the Year award honors the top player in the league aged 22 and under. Players born on, or after, Jan. 1, 2002, were eligible for selection. The award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results, with Luna besting fellow finalists Inter Miami CF’s Diego Gomez and LAFC’s Cristian Olivera.

A full list of previous MLS Young Player of the Year and MLS Rookie of the Year award winners can be found below: