FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Diego Fagundez finally has his confidence back.
The New England Revolution midfielder has started three of the club's last four matches, logging 90 minutes in each and – more importantly – showing his best form since May of last year.
After trying to live up to a sensational 13-goal season in 2013, the 20-year-old has experienced a roller coaster run on the pitch over the last 14 months, which at times has even left the talented youngster on the bench.
A vintage performance this past Saturday against New York City FC now has Fagundez poised to return to the form that put him on the map two seasons ago.
“I have to keep my confidence going now,” said Fagundez. “These couple of games that I’ve been playing a little more, and more, and got the start last game and did something to help the team, I think the confidence is definitely going up. Hopefully my energy keeps boosting forward and hopefully the 2013 Diego comes out.”
In last week’s win over NYCFC, Fagundez was near flawless, shining throughout the victory and threading a pass to Lee Nguyen that set up the game’s lone goal in the 12th minute.
While he showed some offensive flash last weekend, the key to Fagundez's newfound resurgence may have come in his ability to get back on the ball and help out the defense. He registered five defensive recoveries against New York City, and recorded a total of eight in New England's three prior matches.
That versatility has seen him earn additional minutes and has helped him connect better with the defense, allowing Fagundez to be more attack-ready moving forward.
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That type of play from Fagundez was tantamount in the Revolution halting their season long five-game losing streak on Saturday and will be just as important moving forward as they look to get things completely back on track.
“I try to do everything I can to be a two-way player,” Fagundez said. “Sometimes, it’s a little tougher because there are points in the game where you’re attacking a lot and you’re going forward and you’re wasting all your energy. To get back is hard. But, you always fight, keep fighting and try to do everything you can to make sure that when you’re comingr back, you can make plays happen. I thought last game I did everything possible to help that person on that left side. Overall, I think my defensive work paid off.”
