'Let them say what they want' - Diego Luna rebuffs 'underdog' label for USMNT ahead of Gold Cup final vs Mexico, praises 'dawg' Malik Tillman

U.S. men's national team forward Diego Luna is loving life playing alongside Malik Tillman at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Tillman dished out the game-winning assist as Luna scored the second of his two goals in a 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the Gold Cup semifinals Wednesday night

Luna, who also has five goal contributions this tournament, had never played alongside Tillman before this camp, but they've quickly connected, and are bonding on and off the pitch.

"Each game and each training, we've been able to play together and combine and build that chemistry on and off the field, it has really allowed us to, you know, see each other and find each other's way of play and kind of combine," Luna said on The Pat McAfee Show. "So I think it's awesome to play with Malik, amazing player, great dude. And then to now be on the field with him and combine and really understand our movements and stuff and see what we need for each other to score goals and to create chances, I think, is the is the coolest thing.

"And you know, now I have a new friend and somebody new that I enjoy playing with. And it's exciting that he has the same mentality as well. He's a dawg man, he doesn't stop."

Luna and the USMNT will face regional rivals Mexico on Sunday in the championship game of the tournament. Luna said he's confident ahead of the final.

"Yeah, good. A lot of recovery. The staff here is amazing, and we got straight to recovery after the game, and I'm feeling good for Sunday," he said.

Asked how he feels about the U.S. bing labeled "underdogs" against a near full-strength El Tri side, the Real Salt Lake winger said, "Let them say what they want."

One of the top performers and breakout stars of the Gold Cup, Luna is being embraced by the U.S. fanbase this tournament for his dedication to the program amid numerous absences this summer.

Luna was named MLS's Young Player of the Year in 2024 after scoring eight goals and recording 12 assists for Real Salt Lake.

Luna and the USMNT face Mexico in the Gold Cup final Sunday in Houston. El Tri, 2023 champions, are looking to defend their crown, while the USMNT is looking for their title since 2021.