WATCH: Diego Luna scores in Man of the Match performance for Real Salt Lake ahead of USMNT call-up

After playing a key role in setting up Real Salt Lake's opener just seconds into the game, Diego Luna got on the scoresheet himself just before halftime, giving RSL a 2-1 lead over the Houston Dynamo that would end up being the final scoreline.

Luna's finish didn't come with his feet but rather his head, as his bullet header left goalkeeper Jimmy Mauer with no chance, sealing all three points for the visitors on Saturday.

In addition to the goal, Luna completed two dribbles, 10 passes into the final third and completed 29 of his 37 passes, including all three of his long balls.

The goal comes just as Luna prepares to join the USMNT for the CONCACAF Nations League, having been named to Mauricio Pochettino's 23-man squad earlier in the week.

Luna made quite the impression on Pochettino during January camp, and he's still wearing a mask to show the aftereffects of that impression. After breaking his nose in the USMNT's win over Costa Rica, Luna was hailed as having "big balls" by Pochettino, who watched on as the RSL midfielder set up a goal seconds after his injury.

It led to Luna being called back in for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League games, with Pochettino now seeing Luna as a contender at the No. 10 position.

"He's a player that we've followed from the day that we signed with the USA national team," Pochettino said. "We want to give another possibility, not just in January camp, but to have that continuity. He's a player who can provide different things during the game. It's important for him to feel the confidence from us. I think he was good in the January camp and that is why we wanted to provide the possibility to join us again."

Luna and the USMNT are set to take on Panama on Thursday in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. The winner of that match will take on Canada or Mexico in the finale on Sunday.