New U.S. soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino will give two Real Salt Lake players a look this month.
Midfielders Diego Luna and Emeka Eneli have been called to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s first camp under its new manager.
Luna and Eneli will be in Ft. Lauderdale this week as the United States prepares for an international friendly against Venezuela on Jan. 18.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent my country and RSL on the national stage,” Eneli said in a news release. “This is something I’ve dreamed of since I first started playing and watching soccer as a little kid, and I am now just super grateful to have the opportunity to do so.”
Eneli was a key piece of Salt Lake’s midfield last season, starting in 35 of 38 games across all competitions.
Luna, Major League Soccer’s Young Player of the Year last season, scored eight goals and had 12 assists for RSL. This is the second call-up for the attacking midfielder, who made his senior team debut against Slovenia last January.
“I’m very grateful to be able to start the season off again with the US national team and hopefully kick off a great 2025 season,” Luna said. “I’m honored to represent the USA and have the RSL community supporting me.”
RSL opens its preseason on Jan. 13, beginning preparations for the Concacaf Champions Cup. The team’s first game in that international competition is set for Feb. 19 against CS Herediano in Costa Rica.
