New England Soccer Today

Fagundez Finds His Groove

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

FOXBORO, Mass. – It’s been over three three months, but Diego Fagundez has found the back of the net again.

Fagundez, who led the Revolution in scoring last season, headed home his fifth goal of the year – first since May 24th against D.C. United – just before halftime to level the game against Chicago, 1-1.

“I don’t remember how it started, but I remember when the ball got cleared, Lee took a touch and when he chipped it across to the second post, I just saw the ball coming straight to my head and it was a goal,” Fagundez said.

It started off a corner kick from Kelyn Rowe that sailed over the heads of everybody in the area and was bouncing to the far sideline for a Chicago throw in.

But New England’s captain Jose Goncalves sprinted over and was able to get a touch and keep it sitting on the end line. Goncalves looked up and split Chicago defender Bakary Soumare and midfielder Alex with a pass. The pass looked like it was just into space but Revs midfielder Lee Nguyen sprinted in from outside the area. Nguyen took a touch and then chipped in a cross to the far post – just alluding the leg of Sanna Nyassi.

Waiting there all alone at the far post was Fagundez, and he headed it into the back of the net before Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson could reach it.

“It’s not frustration,” Fagundez said of the long break between goals. “I was getting mad I wasn’t playing to my ability. I kept doing what I could and try and help out the team and it finally paid off.”

Fagundez had registered just one assist in this 900-plus minute break between goals which cane in a 1-0 home win against Portland.

“Diego, he’s a player,” head coach Jay Heaps said. “I feel like anytime you get the lights on, you get a home, he seems to find a way. It wasn’t his best game but he scored a great goal.”

It was the first start for Fagundez since August 23rd against Chivas USA.

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