Since I started to cover the New England Revolution last May, I have been critical of Diego Fagundez. Rightfully so in my opinion. After his break out year in 2013, most of us were expecting and even bigger 2014 season from him. But instead we saw Diego lose his starting XI role with manager Jay Heaps around the early summer time last year. I was disappointed with him, as he was with himself. The biggest disappointment came when he was left off the under-20 Uruguay squad for the u-20 world cup this summer. To many of us, it was a surprise. During the summer after the tournament, team manager Jay Heaps mentioned this at a post game press conference and how Diego was himself disappointed at being left off the squad, a squad an which most thought he would be selected for.
But, since the end of June, Diego has been starting most of the games for New England. Before that, he was used more as a sub and the occasional start. But it hasn’t been until this most recent unbeaten streak that we have seen almost a new, re-energized Diego Fagundez. He only has 2 goals 2 assists since the end of June, but he has been all over the field, coming back and helping on defense, being a constant goal scoring/offensive threat, and just being more active on the field.
Giving credit where credit his due. I am happy that Diego’s form is trending up again. Not only for the team’s future going forward this season, but for his own future. He has been linked in the passed with moves away to Europe, and his most recent performances he’s put in will only help him. Of course for our sake as Revs fans, I hope he does stay and that the team pays him when his current deal expires. I also hope he can continues to get better, and finally get the attention nation wide as one of the best players in MLS.
Diego’s goal against Orlando was a result of him running 50 yards to get into the right position to score that goal:
“That’s Diego to a tee. That stuff going forward he is always going to do. We’ve asked him to sacrifice himself to work defensively and he’s done that. I think you see that his touch count goes up. His overall understanding of being able to make that break because he’s defending so hard to be able to get there. He’s realizing that when he puts the work in, his overall game improves. The other night he only lasted 60 minutes because he literally worked himself into the ground against Philadelphia, he was exhausted after the game. Tonight he goes 90 like its nothing, and he worked just as hard. I love that from Diego in that he’s bought in all the way, and you can see the difference from last year to this year, and the growth from last year to this year, and that’s what you like from a kid who is only 20 years old, who can adapt his game and getting better.” Jay Heaps post game about Diego