New England Soccer Today

Fagundez Lifts Revs over Crew SC

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Diego Fagundez scored twice within a ten minute span to send the Revolution to a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew SC on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The 22-year-old midfielder scored his first goal in the 24th minute when Kei Kamara sent a ball across goal for Fagundez, who easily tapped it through to level it. The second arrived in the 34th minute when he grabbed a loose ball and eluded four Crew SC defenders before he coolly finished right in front of goal.

Ola Kamara opened the scoring when he chased down a Wil Trapp diagonal ball and volleyed it past Cody Cropper in the 20th minute.

Andrew Farrell was sent off for a hard challenge on Waylon Francis in the waning moments, leaving the Revolution with 10 men at the conclusion of the match.

With the win, the Revolution reached the .500 mark with a 4-4-4 (16 points) mark. Similarly, Crew SC dipped to .500 with a 6-6-1 (19 points) record.

What it means: If Diego Fagundez can continue to channel the form seen during his breakout 2013 campaign, then the Revolution offense could be a force to be reckoned with this season. The team’s original Homegrown Player has scored three goals in his last two, and his four assists is second-best on the Revolution’s 2017 scoresheet. With Juan Agudelo waiting to return from injury, it’s easy to see a red-hot Fagundez linking up with the similarly-streaking Agudelo on a regularly basis, a development that could be huge for the locals this summer.

Caldwell sick, Femi starts: Scott Caldwell was replaced in the lineup with Femi Hollinger-Janzen on Sunday. Caldwell had been battling the flu on Sunday, but did see action off the bench in the waning moments. Hollinger-Janzen, who made one MLS start last season, was slotted on the left side of the midfield.

Koffie returns: A familiar face was back in the fold for the Revolution Sunday. The recently-reacquired Gershon Koffie made his first appearance of the season in the 46th minute for Hollinger-Janzen. Koffie, who played 22 games for the Revolution last year before joining IF Hammarby, rejoined the club on loan earlier this month.

Revs-Red Bull Rivalry Resumes: The Revolution will face longtime rival New York Red Bulls on May 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Kickoff is 7:30pm.

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