Player

Go, Diego, Go: Revolution hoping Fagundez pushes on after opening 2015 account

Fagundez_Anything

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Diego Fagundez made the most of an opportunity on Sunday night.


Now he’s hoping to get another.


After stepping in for the suspended Lee Nguyen and scoring the New England Revolution’s equalizer in a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy, Fagundez is hopeful that his performance will lead to more playing time having started just two of the last 11 matches.


That opportunity may well come this weekend in Portland, where the Revs will regain the services of Nguyen but be without winger Juan Agudelo, currently on international duty with the United States.


“Diego’s hot at the moment,” said Charlie Davies. “He got a big goal for us against the Galaxy, so I see him coming in and doing well and hopefully building off his last performance.”


Fagundez capitalized on a rare chance to take a set piece on Sunday, curling a 22-yard free kick over the Galaxy wall and past the outstretched reach of LA goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. It was Fagundez’s first goal since September 7 of last season, and just his second goal in the past calendar year.


But through the early part of his career, Fagundez has been a player who has consistently ridden hot streaks, three times putting together goal-scoring streaks of three-plus games. Just last season he had a three-game stretch in mid-May in which he registered four goals and two assists.


Now that Fagundez is off the mark, head coach Jay Heaps will be hoping that’s a continuing trend.


“Diego did a good job (against LA),” Heaps said. “He didn’t find as much of the ball as we wanted, but credit LA. He had a game-changing moment; a great free kick and something that he prides himself on. He stepped up when the lights were on and hit it. I think that we want to use that as momentum for him.”


Sunday night’s goal was a boost for Fagundez, who recently experienced the disappointment of being left off Uruguay’s squad for the currently ongoing Under-20 World Cup.


But instead of stagnating in that disappointment, Fagundez has used the situation as motivation, something which has caught the attention of his Revolution teammates.


“He’s kept a level head and has stayed focused and has worked hard and has stayed positive,” said Davies. “I expect him to continue to do well.”