Not long ago, Aug. 6, 2011 to be exact, a meager Diego Fagundez debuted in front of 11,523 people in a 3-2 loss to Chivas USA at Gillette Stadium. Although the result was unfavorable to the home team, the 16 year old stole the show: winning a penalty kick and scoring a goal.
The former New England Revolution Under-16 star had made the transition to the professional level look relatively easy. During his 24 minute cameo, the forward glistered with super-star aptitude.
After his debut performance, Revolutions fans knew they had hit the jackpot with their first-ever Homegrown Player. But they had to wait a while before they could cash-in. The Uruguayan couldn't lock down a spot on the first team in 2012. He featured in 20 games, but only started eight, and scored two goals.
The former New England Revolution Under-16 star had made the transition to the professional level look relatively easy. During his 24 minute cameo, the forward glistered with super-star aptitude.
After his debut performance, Revolutions fans knew they had hit the jackpot with their first-ever Homegrown Player. But they had to wait a while before they could cash-in. The Uruguayan couldn't lock down a spot on the first team in 2012. He featured in 20 games, but only started eight, and scored two goals.
“The Justin Bieber of MLS,” as he’s referred to by young female fans, announced his arrival as an MLS star with style in 2013. A forward by trade, Fagundez found success on the flanks in a 4-1-4-1 formation. In 28 starts in 2013, the 18 year old scored 13 goals and added 7 assists.
Fagundez told MLSsoccer.com “I honestly don't know if I was expecting to get so many starts, but once I started getting more minutes, the confidence boosted up. Then the first goal came, then the second, and my confidence kept going higher.”
“Intelligent, aware, technically sound and full of energy,” are words an anonymous European scout used to describe Fagundez. The forward–who stills lives with his parents‒possesses skills beyond his years. He has Lionel Messi’s body and quick feet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s energy, and Luis Suarez’s ability to create goals for his teammates. (I’m not saying he’s as good as the three players mentioned, I’m simply pointing out the lucid similarities.)
With his body turned towards goal, Fagundez provides Messi-like moments. For example, let’s take a look at his goal against the Huston Dynamo. The diminutive forward collects the ball from Lee Nguyen, finds Juan Agudelo at the edge of the box, gets the ball back, dashes through the heart of the defense and neatly passes the ball past the helpless Tally Hall.
Fagundez told MLSsoccer.com “I honestly don't know if I was expecting to get so many starts, but once I started getting more minutes, the confidence boosted up. Then the first goal came, then the second, and my confidence kept going higher.”
“Intelligent, aware, technically sound and full of energy,” are words an anonymous European scout used to describe Fagundez. The forward–who stills lives with his parents‒possesses skills beyond his years. He has Lionel Messi’s body and quick feet, Cristiano Ronaldo’s energy, and Luis Suarez’s ability to create goals for his teammates. (I’m not saying he’s as good as the three players mentioned, I’m simply pointing out the lucid similarities.)
With his body turned towards goal, Fagundez provides Messi-like moments. For example, let’s take a look at his goal against the Huston Dynamo. The diminutive forward collects the ball from Lee Nguyen, finds Juan Agudelo at the edge of the box, gets the ball back, dashes through the heart of the defense and neatly passes the ball past the helpless Tally Hall.
The astute forward also has a knack of popping up in the right place at the right time. Some people would call it luck, but it’s actually a gift–one peculiar to the best players. Like the anonymous scout mentioned, Fagundez is full of energy. He doesn’t give up on plays, he runs tirelessly for 90 minutes and tries to make something out of nothing when his team has ran out of options.
Unlike most young talents, Fagundez keeps his calm when the going gets tough. He doesn’t whine about being pushed around by bigger opponents, he doesn’t lose control during a bad game and when he’s subbed off, he doesn’t throw a fit.
As of right now, Fagundez isn’t a world-class player because he doesn’t excel on the defensive end and his ball movement in tight spaces needs some improvement. However, in a couple of years, the young Uruguayan’s name will be mentioned among the best forwards in the world.
Unlike most young talents, Fagundez keeps his calm when the going gets tough. He doesn’t whine about being pushed around by bigger opponents, he doesn’t lose control during a bad game and when he’s subbed off, he doesn’t throw a fit.
As of right now, Fagundez isn’t a world-class player because he doesn’t excel on the defensive end and his ball movement in tight spaces needs some improvement. However, in a couple of years, the young Uruguayan’s name will be mentioned among the best forwards in the world.