Diego Fagúndez

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Fagúndez and the second or maternal family name is Pepe.
Diego Fagúndez
Diego Fagundez.jpg
Fagúndez in 2012
Personal information
Full name Diego Santiago Fagúndez Pepe
Date of birth (1995-02-14) February 14, 1995 (age 27)
Place of birth Montevideo, Uruguay
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, forward
Club information
Current team
 Austin FC
Number 14
Youth career
2000–2007 Leominster Youth Soccer
2007–2009 Greater Boston Bolts
2009–2010 New England Revolution
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2020 New England Revolution 261 (53)
2021– Austin FC 37 (8)
National team
2012–2015 Uruguay U20 8 (0)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Uruguay
South American U-20 Championship
Third place 2015 Uruguay
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:33, 20 March 2022 (UTC)

Diego Santiago Fagúndez Pepe (born February 14, 1995) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Austin FC.

Early life[]

Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Fagúndez moved with his family to Leominster, Massachusetts when he was five years old.[1][2] Fagúndez began his career playing for Leominster Youth Soccer.[3]

He then went on to play for FC United (Massachusetts) and FC Greater Boston Bolts, before joining the New England Revolution academy team in 2009.[4] He was a State Cup finalist with FC United 2005 and winner in 2006.[5] He won the State Cup with FC Greater Boston Bolts in 2008 and 2009. He also played for the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2006 to 2009, as captain from 2008 to 2009.[6] He was named a 2007–2008 Adidas Interregional All-Star as a member of the Region I ODP team.[7] In his debut season he led the Revs' U-16 squad to a 14–7–8 record (50 pts), placing first in the Northeast Division of the US Soccer Development Academy. He scored 20 goals in 30 appearances, tying Felix Debona for the team lead in goals.

On March 10, 2011, Top Drawer Soccer named Fagúndez their number one ranked player nationally in the class of 2013.[8]

Club career[]

New England Revolution[]

On November 15, 2010, Fagúndez was signed to a contract by the New England Revolution,[9] making him the first ever homegrown player the Revolution signed from its youth academy. Although on the main club roster, he continued to train with and play for the academy team.

He made his full professional debut on April 26, 2011, in a Revs' 3–2 victory over D.C. United in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.[10][11] He made his league debut on August 6, 2011, as a substitute against Chivas USA, where he drew a penalty (which was converted by Shalrie Joseph) and scored his first goal for New England.[12]

Fagúndez became a regular starter for the New England Revolution in 2013, when he had a successful breakout season, scoring 13 goals and assisting 7.[13] Fagúndez quickly became one of MLS's great young talents, and won player of the week honors in week 14 of the 2013 MLS season. Fagúndez obtained a US green card in October 2013 qualifying him as a domestic player under MLS squad rules.[14] He was featured on an episode of documentary television show that MLS 36 in August 2013.[15]

Prior to the start of the 2015 season, rumors emerged of interest in Fagúndez from Serie A sides Atalanta B.C. and ACF Fiorentina, Neither side, however, was willing to match the $4 million fee asked by the Revolution for Fagúndez's services.[16][17]

During the 2015 season, Fagúndez became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 100 appearances for his club.[18]

Fagúndez was named the Midnight Riders Man of Year at the conclusion of the 2017 MLS season.[19]

On October 28, 2018, prior to the Revolution's final match of the 2018 season, Fagúndez's father (who also serves as his agent) posted a tweet insinuating that it could be his son's final appearance for the franchise.[20] The match, against the Montreal Impact, saw Fagúndez's 50th career MLS goal. He is currently the youngest player in MLS history to score 50 goals.[21]

On January 22, 2019, multiple sources reported that the Revolution turned down an offer from Club Nacional de Football for Fagúndez.[22]

The Revolution exercised Fagúndez's 2020 contract option prior to the start of the 2020 season.[23]

Fagúndez made his 244th appearance for the Revolution in the franchises' 2020 season opener against the Chicago Fire, tying Jay Heaps for fourth most appearances all time.[24]

Going into the final match of the 2020 regular season against the Philadelphia Union, Fagúndez was one appearance shy of breaking the Revolution's all-time appearance record, held by Shalrie Joseph.[25] Fagúndez did not appear in the match, thus ending the season one appearance shy of breaking the record. The Revolution lost the match 2-0.[26]

On November 20, 2020, as Fagúndez was nearing the end of his contract with the Revolution, news emerged that Fagúndez had received an offer for a contract extension from the Revolution as well as interest from other MLS clubs, and clubs in La Liga and Liga MX.[27] In 2016 Fagúndez had signed a three-year contract plus a club option for a fourth year.[28]

On December 8, 2020, the Revolution announced their end of season roster moves. Fagúndez was listed as out of contract with the franchise. On his personal Instagram account, he posted a farewell statement to the Revolution and their fans stating that it was time for him to move on.[29] In an interview with The Boston Globe's Frank Dell'Apa, Fagúndez stated that he wanted to remain with the team, but felt a low-ball offer was presented, and he declined to accept it.[30]

Austin FC[]

On January 5, 2021, Fagúndez signed a one-year deal with Austin FC.[31] On April 24, 2021, Fagúndez made his first starting appearance for his new team, and scored the first goal in the franchise's history in its 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids.[32][33] He would score again the following week, this time notching the game winner in the franchise's 1-0 win over Minnesota United.[34]

International career[]

Fagúndez is a former Uruguay youth international. He made his debut for Uruguay U20 team in October 2012.[35] He played two games for Uruguay U20 against Peru in that month. In the first he entered as a substitute in the 83rd minute; in the second fixture he was brought on in the 45th minute.[36]

In April 2013, he stated that he would be willing to represent either Uruguay or the United States at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[37] However, he was not called up by Uruguay and was not eligible for represent U.S. at the time due to not having citizenship.

In August 2014, he was called up again for the Uruguay U20 national team and played in two games against Peru, a 1–0 win victory and a 1–1 draw.[38][39]

In January 2015, Fagúndez was called up for the 2015 South American Youth Championship. He played in Uruguay's 1–0 victory over Colombia.[40]

Personal life[]

Diego's father, Washington Fagúndez, was a professional footballer in Uruguay who played as a goalkeeper with Central Español in the 1990s. Diego is the godson of former Uruguayan international footballer and 1995 Copa América winner Diego Dorta, after whom he is named.[41]

Fagúndez received his U.S. green card in October 2013, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[42]

Career statistics[]

As of 20 March, 2022[43][44]
Club Season Division League Domestic cup Continental Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
New England Revolution 2011 MLS 6 2 0 0 — — 6 2
2012 20 2 1 0 — — 21 2
2013 31 13 1 0 — 2[a] 0 34 13
2014 31 5 2 0 — 0 0 33 5
2015 30 6 1 0 — 1[a] 0 32 6
2016 34 6 5 0 — — 39 6
2017 32 7 3 1 — — 35 8
2018 33 9 0 0 — — 33 9
2019 25 2 2 0 — 1[a] 0 28 2
2020 19[b] 1 — — 0 0 19 1
Club total 261 53 15 1 0 0 4 0 280 54
Austin FC 2021 MLS 33 7 — — — 33 7
2022 4 1 — — — 4 1
Club total 37 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 8
Career total 298 61 15 1 0 0 4 0 317 62
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
  2. ^ Includes two appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage.

References[]

  1. ^ "Revs sign 15-year-old Diego Fagundez". New England Revolution.
  2. ^ "Player Profile: Diego Fagundez". New England Revolution.
  3. ^ "Fagundez Leominster Youth Soccer". Sentinel and Enterprise.
  4. ^ "Alumni & College Commitments". revolutionsoccer.net. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "Bolts Professional Player Legacy". bostonbolts.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  6. ^ "Greatest Offensive Players in New England Revolution History". believeinbostonsports.com. September 30, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "ODP Boys Interregional All-Stars". socceramerica.com. December 4, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "National Top 100 Boys". Top Drawer Soccer.
  9. ^ "Revs sign 15-year-old Diego Fagúndez". New England Revolution.
  10. ^ "USOC: New England hold on to tip DC United 3–2".
  11. ^ "Revs' Fagúndez beaming over professional debut".
  12. ^ "Chivas USA 3, Revs 2". New England Revolution. August 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "Breakout season in 2013". MLS Soccer.
  14. ^ O'Connell, Brian (October 23, 2014). "Fagundez relishes acquiring green card". ESPN. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  15. ^ "MLS 36 Diego Fagúndez". YouTube.
  16. ^ "MLS: What's standing between Matt Turner and Europe?". August 28, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. ^ "Revolution Transfer Rumor 2015 Diego Fagundez Linked to Atalanta". January 23, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  18. ^ "Diego Fagundez MLS profile". MLS Soccer.
  19. ^ "Man of the Year Award". The Midnight Riders. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  20. ^ "Diego Fagundez's father hints at possible departure from Revolution". www.mlssoccer.com. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "New England Revolution 1, Montreal Impact 0 2018 MLS Match Recap". www.mlssoccer.com. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  22. ^ "Diego Fagundez: Revolution turn down Nacional transfer offer". www.prosoccerusa.com. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  23. ^ "Revolution announce year-end roster moves". revolutionsoccer.net. November 21, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "Recap: Revolution and Chicago Fire FC play to 1-1 draw in Revs' home opener". March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  25. ^ "Revolution Midfielder Diego Fagundez Set To Break Club Record". October 30, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  26. ^ "Philadelphia Union 2 New England Revolution 0 2020 MLS Match Recap". November 8, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  27. ^ "Diego Fagundez attracting domestic and international offers". November 20, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  28. ^ "Revolution give new deal to homegrown star Diego Fagundez". January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  29. ^ "Revolution start roster moves; Diego Fagundez listed as out of contract". December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  30. ^ "Diego Fagundez painfully parts with Revolution after contract impasse". December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Longtime Revs midfielder signs with Austin FC in free agency". January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  32. ^ "HIGHLIGHTS: Austin FC tops Colorado Rapids, 3-1, secures first win in franchise history". April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  33. ^ "Diego Fagundez Scores Austin FC's First Ever MLS Goal". April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  34. ^ "Minnesota United's latest loss is 1-0 to MLS expansion team Austin FC". May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  35. ^ "Con caras nuevas" (in Spanish). futbol.com.uy. October 9, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  36. ^ "Amistosos Sub 20". llamaceleste.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  37. ^ Rojas, John E. (April 23, 2013). "MLS: Fagúndez a la espera del sueño Turquía" (in Spanish). goal.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  38. ^ "Selección Peruana Sub 20 ganó 1–0 Uruguay en partido amistoso" (in Spanish). depor.pe. August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  39. ^ "Sub 20 igualó 1-1 con Uruguay en amistoso y sigue invicta [VIDEO]" (in Spanish). elbocon.pe. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  40. ^ "URUGUAY 1 0 COLOMBIA". estadisticas.conmebol.com. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  41. ^ Koczara, Kevin (February 23, 2014). "The phenomenal life of Diego Fagundez". Boston Globe. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  42. ^ "Diego Fagundez gains U.S. permanent resident status". revolutionsoccer.net. New England Revolution. October 21, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  43. ^ "Uruguay - D. Fagúndez - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  44. ^ Diego Fagúndez at Major League Soccer

External links[]

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