Some US national team fans are looking ahead to a future with New England Revolution midfielder Diego Fagundez on the team.
There are just two problems with that: He's not yet a US citizen, and the country of his birth, Uruguay, isn't ready to concede his international future to the Americans.
Uruguay Under-20 national team head coach Fabian Coito called Fagundez into the team for two friendlies in South America, the Uruguayan Football Association announced on Friday. He is the only player not based in Uruguay to get the call-up.
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Fagundez will travel to Lima, Peru, on Sunday for a pair of friendlies against Peru on August 4 and August 6. He is expected to rejoin the Revs on August 8.
This is the second time Fagundez has been called in by the Uruguay U-20 team. He also spent a week in camp with the U-20s in October 2012.
USMNT fans shouldn't necessarily sweat just yet, though: Fagundez has reiterated that he is seeking US citizenship and eventually wants to suit up in red, white and blue. Playing for Uruguayan youth teams doesn't negate that dream, as long as Fagundez is able to secure citizenship and applies for an eligibility switch from FIFA. That, however, is a process that could take until 2018.
The 19-year-old, currently a US permanent resident, was born in Montevideo before moving to the United States as a young child. In his fourth professional season, Fagundez has made 78 appearances for New England, scoring 21 goals and adding 13 assists.
Fagundez and the Revs are in action on Saturday when they travel to take on the New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET, MLS Free Stream of the Week).
