PHOTOS: #3 Revs Moment of 2013

MOMENT #3: The emergence of talented teenager Diego Fagundez.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

It didn’t look like 2013 would be a breakout year for 18-year-old Diego Fagundez back in March. After starting only one of the Revolution’s first five, the talented teen seemed destined for another season of watching his older teammates take the reins.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Or not. While Fagundez pined for playing time, coach Jay Heaps was working on a formation that would benefit both the dynamic midfielder and the club. That formation: the 4-1-4-1, which featured Fagundez as a wide player rather than a withdrawn striker.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

The move paid dividends immediately. Fagundez scored his first goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Philadelphia on Apr. 27 and never looked back.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

By June, he already eclipsed his previous season highs in goals and assists, and was quickly on his way toward one of the most accomplished seasons ever put together by a teenager.

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

In August, he became the first teenager to reach double-digit goal totals. If there was any question that Diego Mania was all style and no substance, it was effectively banished by mid-summer.

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Fagundez finished the season with a team-high 13 goals to go along with seven assists, good for second on the team. After signing a contract extension in April, Fagundez will remain in Foxborough for the foreseeable future – one that’s as bright as ever.