MLS FC Dallas

Forward Ruben Luna Called into Mexican Under-20 National Team Camp

Published on January 25, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 25, 2010) - FC Dallas Home Grown player Ruben Luna has been called in to represent the Mexican Under-20 National Team, the club announced today.

Luna arrived at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Tlalpan, Mexico City on Sunday, Jan. 23. The Mexican Under-20 camp runs through Thursday, Jan. 27 in preparation for the team's Panama and El Salvador tour. Following the camp, the Mexican Under-20 National Team will play six matches in February before beginning preparations for the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

The qualifying tournament will take place between April 3 and April 17 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Cup will take place in Colombia from July 29 through Aug. 20, 2011.

"This is fantastic," FC Dallas Head Coach Schellas Hyndman said. "We've always seen tremendous talent in Ruben. Last year, he was able to get on the field and compete. This season, I think he will have a breakout year for us."

Signed on July 30, 2010, the 18-year-old made his professional debut at Pizza Hut Park on Sept. 4 against Toronto FC. Luna saw eight minutes of action in his debut and seemingly scored his first goal before an offside call nullified it. Luna appeared in three more MLS regular season matches totaling 48 minutes. During FC Dallas' run to MLS Cup 2010, Luna was in the top 18 for all four of FC Dallas' postseason matches and made his MLS playoff debut when he came on for Jeff Cunningham in the 77th minute of the Western Conference Semifinal in Salt Lake.

"Ruben is a very gifted player," Hyndman added. "He is a true finisher. He's strong and he has a great personality where he continually strives to get better."

Prior to being signed by FC Dallas, Luna scored a team-high 26 goals in 29 appearances for the U18 FC Dallas Development Academy in 2010. He was named to the U.S. U18 Development Academy Starting XI for his efforts. Luna was also named the U.S. Development Academy Player of the Year for the U16 age group in 2009. He led the U16 team in scoring that year, with 38 goals in 27 games.

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