Diego Fagúndez

Early life

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

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. He was a State Cup finalist with FC United 2005 and winner in 2006. 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. He was named a 2007–2008 Adidas Interregional All-Star as a member of the Region I ODP team. 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 10 March 2011, Top Drawer Soccer named Fagúndez their number one ranked player nationally in the class of 2013.

Club career

New England Revolution

On 15 November 2010, Fagúndez was signed to a contract by the New England Revolution, 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 26 April 2011, in a Revs' 3–2 victory over D.C. United in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 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.

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. 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. He was featured on an episode of documentary television show that MLS 36 in August 2013. MLS listed Fagúndez at no. 5 on its annual "24 under 24" list of best young players for the 2013 season.

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.

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

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

On 28 October 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. 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.

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

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

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.

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. 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.

On 20 November 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. In 2016, Fagúndez had signed a three-year contract plus a club option for a fourth year.

On 8 December 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. In an interview with The Boston Globes 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.

Austin FC

On 5 January 2021, Fagúndez signed a one-year deal with Austin FC. On 24 April 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. He would score again the following week, this time notching the game winner in the franchise's 1–0 win over Minnesota United FC. He was the Man of the Match for Austin's first-ever home match in a 0–0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes and quickly became a fan favorite. Fagúndez scored his first goal of the 2022 season, an equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Seattle Sounders FC as a substitute.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/623217 |title=Austin FC's Diego Fagundez salvages draw with Seattle Sounders

In February 2023, Fagúndez signed a new three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year. At the time of signing he was the club's all-time leader in assists with 20, having added 15 during the 2022 season. After a difficult Austin start to the 2023 season, Fagúndez received criticism from head coach Josh Wolff that he was not living up to his new contract.

LA Galaxy

On 1 August 2023, Fagúndez was traded to the LA Galaxy in return for Memo Rodríguez, $300,000 in General Allocation Money and potentially another $600,000 in General Allocation Money add-ons. The trade was not popular with Austin supporters, and was criticized as "desperate, over-reactionary, and frankly tone-deaf." Fagúndez scored his first goal for the Galaxy, an 82nd-minute game winner, on 21 September 2023, in a 4–3 victory over Minnesota United.

On 13 April 2024, Fagúndez scored his first goal of the 2024 LA Galaxy season, and in doing so became only the 10th player in MLS history to record at least 70 goals and 70 assists in regular-season play. He also tied Bobby Boswell for 20th all-time amongst all players in MLS history in regular-season games played, with 366. Fagúndez made his 400th career MLS appearance (across both regular season and playoff matches) on 26 October in the Galaxy's 5–0 victory over the Colorado Rapids 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One first match.

At the end of the 2025 season, the team announced that they had declined Fagúndez's contract option, but were in negotiations to re-sign him to a new contract for the next season, however the contract did not materialize before his contract expired.

International career

Fagúndez is a former Uruguay youth international. He made his debut for Uruguay U20 team in October 2012. 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.

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. 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.

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

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.

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

On 13 March 2024, Fagúndez announced he had become a U.S. citizen on social media.

Career statistics

Honours

LA Galaxy

• MLS Cup: 2024

References

References

1. "Revs sign 15-year-old Diego Fagundez". New England Revolution.
2. "Player Profile: Diego Fagundez". New England Revolution.
3. (April 16, 2012). "Fagundez Leominster Youth Soccer".
4. (February 22, 2012). "Alumni & College Commitments". revolutionsoccer.net.
5. "Bolts Professional Player Legacy". bostonbolts.com.
6. (September 30, 2019). "Greatest Offensive Players in New England Revolution History". believeinbostonsports.com.
7. (December 4, 2007). "ODP Boys Interregional All-Stars". socceramerica.com.
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. (August 6, 2011). "Chivas USA 3, Revs 2". New England Revolution.
13. "Breakout season in 2013".
14. (October 23, 2014). "Fagundez relishes acquiring green card". ESPN.
15. (August 14, 2013). "MLS 36 Diego Fagúndez".
16. "24 Under 24: 2013 Rankings".
17. (August 28, 2020). "MLS: What's standing between Matt Turner and Europe?".
18. (January 23, 2015). "Revolution Transfer Rumor 2015 Diego Fagundez Linked to Atalanta".
19. "Diego Fagundez MLS profile".
20. "Man of the Year Award". The Midnight Riders.
21. "Diego Fagundez's father hints at possible departure from Revolution".
22. "New England Revolution 1, Montreal Impact 0 2018 MLS Match Recap".
23. "Diego Fagundez: Revolution turn down Nacional transfer offer".
24. (November 21, 2019). "Revolution announce year-end roster moves". revolutionsoccer.net.
25. (March 7, 2020). "Recap: Revolution and Chicago Fire FC play to 1–1 draw in Revs' home opener".
26. (October 30, 2020). "Revolution Midfielder Diego Fagundez Set To Break Club Record".
27. (November 8, 2020). "Philadelphia Union 2 New England Revolution 0 2020 MLS Match Recap".
28. (November 20, 2020). "Diego Fagundez attracting domestic and international offers". The Bent Musket.
29. (January 5, 2016). "Revolution give new deal to homegrown star Diego Fagundez".
30. (December 8, 2020). "Revolution start roster moves; Diego Fagundez listed as out of contract".
31. (December 9, 2020). "Diego Fagundez painfully parts with Revolution after contract impasse".
32. (January 5, 2021). "Longtime Revs midfielder signs with Austin FC in free agency".
33. (April 24, 2021). "HIGHLIGHTS: Austin FC tops Colorado Rapids, 3–1, secures first win in franchise history".
34. (April 24, 2021). "Diego Fagundez Scores Austin FC's First Ever MLS Goal".
35. (May 1, 2021). "Minnesota United's latest loss is 1–0 to MLS expansion team Austin FC".
36. (19 June 2021). "Today's Man of the Match, @diegofagundez14👏".
37. Goodman, Eric. (November 19, 2021). "The Verde Report: So What Happens Now?".
38. Goodman, Eric. (August 1, 2023). "Austin FC Dumps Diego Fagundez in Stunning Trade".
39. (April 16, 2022). "Austin FC rally with three late goals to stun D.C. United".
40. (February 22, 2023). "Austin FC, Diego Fagundez Agree to New Multi-Year Contract".
41. Gates, Billy. (February 22, 2023). "Diego Fagundez, the first goal scorer in Austin FC history, signs new contract".
42. Goodman, Eric. (March 24, 2023). "The Verde Report: Austin FC's Attacking Blueprint Hits Early Season Snag".
43. Bogert, Tom. (August 1, 2023). "LA Galaxy acquire Diego Fagundez in trade with Austin FC: Sources".
44. Gates, Billy. (August 1, 2023). "Austin FC's Diego Fagundez traded to LA Galaxy for Memo Rodriguez, cash: report".
45. Goodman, Eric. (August 1, 2023). "Austin FC Dumps Diego Fagundez in Stunning Trade".
46. (September 21, 2023). "Billy Sharp's hat trick helps Galaxy top Minnesota United".
47. (2024-04-14). "LA Galaxy Earn 3-1 Road Win Over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Saturday Evening".
48. (2024-10-27). "Match Report: LA Galaxy Open Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Campaign with 5-0 Shutout Victory Over Colorado Rapids at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday Night".
49. (30 October 2025). "LA Galaxy Announce 2025 Roster Decisions".
50. (October 9, 2012). "Con caras nuevas". futbol.com.uy.
51. (October 15, 2013). "Amistosos Sub 20". llamaceleste.com.
52. Rojas, John E.. (April 23, 2013). "MLS: Fagúndez a la espera del sueño Turquía". goal.com.
53. (August 4, 2014). "Selección Peruana Sub 20 ganó 1–0 Uruguay en partido amistoso". depor.pe.
54. (August 6, 2014). "Sub 20 igualó 1–1 con Uruguay en amistoso y sigue invicta [VIDEO]". elbocon.pe.
55. (January 16, 2015). "URUGUAY 1 0 COLOMBIA". estadisticas.conmebol.com.
56. Koczara, Kevin. (February 23, 2014). "The phenomenal life of Diego Fagundez". Boston Globe.
57. (October 21, 2013). "Diego Fagundez gains U.S. permanent resident status". New England Revolution.
58. "Uruguay – D. Fagúndez – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway".
59. {{MLS player. diego-fagundez
60. Sigal, Jonathan. (December 7, 2024). "Champions! LA Galaxy lift MLS Cup 2024 over New York Red Bulls". Major League Soccer.