#12
Diego Fagundez
AGE: 21
COUNTRY: Uruguay/United States
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: New England Revolution
YEARS PRO: 6
EA SPORTS FIFA 17
Player Rating
Arguably the most successful Homegrown player in MLS history, Fagundez has alternated between hot streaks and cold runs during his time as a professional. One of the most seasoned pros on the 24 Under 24 list with nearly 150 MLS games played, Fagundez's skill makes him a versatile option in a variety of attacking positions. Speedy and able to beat defenses with quick thinking, he's notched 32 goals and 23 assists in MLS regular season play to date.
But for all the success the 21-year-old has seen in his career, he's also bounced in and out of Jay Heaps' starting lineup. The Uruguayan youth international has been linked to European clubs, but is still waiting to blossom into a bonafide star. If he can take the next step, Fagundez will be a perennial MLS All-Star and Best XI candidate, his ceiling is that high.
What the technical staffers say:
"You look at the number of goals that he’s been able to score – at least on average per year, the number of points – I think it’s pretty staggering for a young player. He’s a dynamic player that has the ability to score, he has the ability to create for himself and for others and he’s young. He’s got a lot of potential.”
“Incredible skill, incredible technical ability and is probably different than your typical – and I know he’s got the Uruguayan in him – but different than your typical American kid. He’ll go at you 1-v-1, and if you stop him nine times, he’s still going to go the 10th time. He’s a lot of fun to watch."
“In 1-v-1 situations he is a handful, he’s a pain in the [butt]. He does the unexpected. There’s certain guys that, especially the wingers in our league, can be pretty predictable. They just try to run in behind you, they have one thing. Where he can kind of come inside, he’s comfortable combining on the ball, he can also go by you with his first step, he can create space and he can score goals."
“He can drift out of games. Sometimes, like with a lot of players in his kind of role, there’s a tendency when the game isn’t coming to them they go try and find the game rather than being patient. He just needs to be more consistent, but a player with a very good future in the game.”
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