FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – When Diego Fagundez lined up alongside the Revolution Minutemen and shot an invisible musket when they fired off their usual goal-scoring salute on Sunday, it was as if he was shooting the monkey off of his back.
His 40th-minute header in the New England Revolution’s 2-1 win over Chicago on Sunday not only leveled the game, but it also erased a 14-game scoring drought for Fagundez, the longest of his young career.
“It was [a relief],” said Fagundez. “I felt like I broke the ice again. It was one of those things that I was frustrated because I thought I could do better. It just wasn’t going my way. Getting on the field again and playing with everyone, it was a great feeling.”
The scoreless run was eye-opening, given Fagundez’s breakout season a year ago in which he led the Revolution with 13 goals as an 18-year-old.
After breaking a nine-game scoreless streak to start the season, it looked as if the floodgates were opened when he pumped in four goals in three consecutive games, but instead he struggled to finish, as the Revolutions “big chance” opportunities, on which he capitalized 11 times last season compared to only 2 this year, have waned.
“It’s one of those that you have a chance maybe one or two times a game, and you have to finish them,” said Fagundez, who has directed 25 percent of his shots on target this year, compared to 35 percent last season. “For me, I couldn’t finish them.”
As the New England midfield unit beefed up with new (Jermaine Jones) and in-form (Kelyn Rowe) players in the midst of his slump, Fagundez found himself coming off the bench after starting 29 straight matches.
“We know it’s a competition right now,” said Fagundez. “I just needed to keep going, keeping working hard, put my head down and try to do everything I could to make sure I’m on the team.”
Said coach Jay Heaps: “Diego’s a team guy. He understands the depth and where everyone’s playing. He’s starting to find his game and ways to beat the other team with his mentality. I think that’s important for Diego. It’s important that he continues to fight and play. He’s going to get his minutes.”
With Heaps apt to rotate his lineup based on matchups and player performance during training, Fagundez may or may not return to a role as full-time starter along the Revs' left wing. One thing the 19-year-old does know is that New England need to collect as many points as possible over their last seven games, and he is willing to do whatever he can to ensure they get them.
“I hope that every game I play, I can help out the team as much as possible,” said Fagundez. “Not just scoring, but making plays happen and creating other chances.”
