It ended with a heartbreak for USMNT in the 2024 Copa America. Gregg Berhalter’s side failed to make it to the knockout phase, exiting within the group stages. But worry not, there is still action left—say hello to the Paris Olympics! The roster for the summer games was just announced by head coach Marko Mitrovic, featuring many expected names, but surprisingly, Diego Luna didn’t make the cut. As fans seek answers for his snub, the youngster himself broke his silence, revealing that there is actually ‘no reason‘ why he shouldn’t be on the team.

During the press conference, a journalist asked the Real Salt Lake midfielder about his thoughts on being left out of the Olympics. Interestingly, Luna replied, “Decisions are made all around soccer—different teams, different coaches—nothing really you could do about it.” Instead of representing his nation in the prestigious competition, the Sunnyvale-born player is instead ‘grateful‘ to stay with RSL, helping him to contribute to the Utah-based club that currently sits second in the Western Conference.

While some may sense that Luna himself rejected the call, there also seems to be an apparent frustration with the coaches. “Maybe we’re not on the same page at times, but that’s how it is with some coaches,” he said, as compiled by MLS multiplex. The 20-year-old added, “It gives me a clearer mind to work hard here [RSL] and make sure my performances on the pitch are of a high standard, so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be on that [Olympic] team.”

Seems like Luna isn’t concerned about him losing out on the chance of playing in the Olympics. While his explanation finally clears the air, let’s see which names are donning the Star and Stripes jersey.

Take a look at the USMNT’s 2024 Paris Olympic roster as Diego Luna fails to make to cut

Team USA is back in the Olympics for the first time since 2008, after failing to qualify in subsequent editions. Hence, a fresh pair of legs has been chosen by Marko Mitrovic, with not a single USMNT star like Christian Pulisic or Gio Reyna being called up. As for Diego Luna, he would have been the only Real Salt Lake star to have been called up for the summer games. Here is the 18-men squad of the USMNT in detail:

Goalkeepers

Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)

Gaga Slonina (Chelsea)

Defenders

Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Fürth)

Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union)

Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)

John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls)

Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC)

Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders

Gianluca Busio (Venezia)

Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF)

Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union)

Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids)

Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)

Forwards

Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht)

Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht)

Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC)

Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg)

Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)

Furthermore, Sporting KC duo Jacob Davis and John Pulskamp, Seattle Sounders’ Josh Atencio, and Eintracht Braunschweig’s Johan Gomez have been shortlisted as alternatives by Marko Mitrovic. Regardless, it remains to be seen what Team USA will accomplish in the Paris Olympics and whether it will send David Luna on a guilt trip.