FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Torn between two countries, Diego Fagundez was forced to make a very important decision at a very young age.
In choosing to play for Uruguay’s U-20 National Team in the South American Youth Championship in January he became cap-tied to his birth nation, closing the door on the chance of playing for the United States, the country where he's lived since he was five.
Last week, when Uruguay announced their U-20 squad for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand, the New England Revolution forward’s name was not listed.
“I know Diego had a lot invested in making that team,” Revolution coach Jay Heaps said following a match last Saturday. “We were heartbroken for him.”
With a lack of communication between himself and U.S. Soccer during his decision-making process and an immigration procedure that would have him waiting to crack the USMNT for a few more years, Fagundez elected to represent Uruguay. He got two starts and came off the bench twice during the South American Youth Championship, but did not see the field during the final match against Argentina.
Because he didn't have US citizenship when he played for Uruguay in January, Fagundez is permanently tied to Uruguay for his international career. He was hopeful that he would get called-up for the trip to New Zealand, but despite the devastation of being left of the roster, the 20-year-old is not questioning his decision to pick the country of his birth.
“That’s not a regret I’m ever going to say,” Fagundez told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week. “It’s something I look forward to. I’m still young so there’s still a lot of time ahead of me. There’s still a lot to learn and I have time. There’s nothing really I can do. I have to keep focusing on the Revs now, keep looking forward and hopefully getting into the starting eleven.”
With the Revs in the midst of a three-game stretch in an eight day span, Fagundez found himself in Heaps’ starting lineup on Wednesday after making his six prior appearances from off the bench.
A crowded roster full of talent has reduced his playing time since his 13-goal, seven-assist breakout season in 2013, and the Homegrown signing must now fight harder than ever for minutes.
“I don’t put anyone in a role, so I don’t look at Diego as a sub,” Heaps said. “I look at him as a really good player that can impact the game at any moment whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. I think what Diego’s doing is he’s showing every time he gets on the field how dangerous he is and how important he is to our group.”
And that is where Fagundez’s full focus now lies as he moves on after being snubbed by Uruguay.
“Every player who goes in, not just myself, we always want to go out there and help out the team as much as possible,” said Fagundez. “We’re trying to get the energy going, bring that spark to the team.”
