• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

EXCLUSIVE REVOLUTIONARY INTERVIEW: DIEGO FAGUNDEZ

Written by JEFF LAWRENCE Posted March 18, 2016 Filed Under: FEATURES

Photo by David Silverman
Photo by David Silverman

In 2010, the New England Revolution signed a professional contract with a 15-year-old kid from Leominster named Diego Santiago Fagúndez Pepe. He made his professional debut a year later, and scored his first MLS goal that season. He was 16 years old. On the heels of his 21st birthday and having just signed his third contract with the Revolution, we reached out to Diego and talked about his heroes, heartaches, and most importantly, his hair.

 

Dig: First things first, that was a great opening game against Houston. How did that feel and what was it like to be back on the field?

Diego: It felt great. The whole team had been waiting for it for a long time, and we were just feeling it … as much as the fans were, I’m sure … we’re up 1-0 in the first three minutes and it’s great, but then they go up … and then we tie it at the very end! It was just a crazy game to be part of and fighting with my teammates right until the end. We were making sure we left with a point, and we all fought for it.

 

It seems like you’ve been fighting for it since you could walk; in 2010, you were signed by the New England Revolution and then made your professional debut in 2011—at the age of 16. That’s an amazing accomplishment. Tell me about that experience and what it’s been like for you personally?

These last six years have been a really fun experience. A dream come true. I never thought that at the age of 21, I’d be signing my third contract and have this incredible opportunity, but there’s plenty more to come. I just have to keep doing my job and keep working hard at training, so I can help the team become better and do everything I can to be part of that.

 

You’re definitely a homegrown talent, but you were born in Uruguay and grew up playing soccer in Leominster. How has that connection inspired you over the course of your career, and how have you developed your game locally?

We’re a little country, only 3 million people, so it’s great to be from there and be able to represent the national team which I play for as well, but it’s also important for me to represent my dad, who played for Uruguay during his entire career, and I want to follow in his footsteps and become the best professional player I can be. Professional athletes can have a short or long career—you never know, so you just need to stay healthy and perform, and if you’re lucky and you do your job, little by little, you’ll continue to grow as a player. That’s what inspires me.

 

Photo by David Silverman
Photo by David Silverman

Tell us about your hair? You seem to be taking it to a higher level at every game!

Ha! The hair is who I am. It’s the one thing I’ve been doing since I was 7 years old, and I won’t change that until I lose all of my hair. I want people to know that this is my personality but I love inspiring people to do something new as well. I’ll go online and Google “crazy hair styles” and see what other people are doing as well.

 

You’ve been surrounded by a lot of family, players and especially coaches throughout your career. Tell us about the people who have influenced you the most?

There are a lot of great people who have supported and inspired me, but one of the coaches that I had with my club team, Dan Colwell [Boston University, assistant coach; FC Bolts Soccer Club, director of boys soccer], was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. We’re like family, and now brothers, and we still talk all the time about soccer. But of course my family was a huge inspiration. I couldn’t have done this without all of their support, whether it’s driving me 10 hours to Virginia or Maryland for a tournament or just to practices. My parents and family have given so much … but obviously it’s also about my teammates, because without them, you’re not going anywhere in the end.

 

Happy belated birthday, and congratulations on turning 21! Does this mean you’ll give Gronk a run for his money and start showing up shirtless at nightclubs around Boston? If not, what’s your go-to stress release during the off season?

No, no. Of course not! Twenty-one is just another number to me. I’d rather have fun with my family and friends at home, off-roading or fishing and hanging on the boat. I’m more of an outdoors guy. You’ll be walking in the woods and that’s where you’ll find me! But yeah, I like to fish, I like to offroad in my Jeep, I like to hunt… I like to do a lot of things that get me away from soccer that are outdoors.

 

Tell us a little bit about your evolution as a player. Is it safe to say that your preference is being up front?

For me, wherever the coach puts me, that’s where I’m happiest—as long as I’m on the field and I’m able to help out the team. I’ll have a smile on my face whenever I can do something positive for the team. That said, it’s the #10 role that I’ve always played my entire life, and even though I’m always learning and I’ve had to adapt to playing left wing and making sure that I’m running forward and defending, my mindset is always to move forward and attack.

 

How does it feel to have your own bobblehead?

It’s pretty awesome! Who’d have thought at my age I’d have my own bobblehead! You never expect that, but it confirms that I’m accomplishing my dream. I just can’t let that get to my head … you really need to be humble and just move forward.

 

So, did they get the hair right?

Ha—the hair was ok … but they could have done better … maybe they didn’t have a stylist!

 

Soccer has come a long way in the US, and you’re clearly part of the next generation of talented players coming up through the system. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

First off, I’ve never lived by the future … only by the day … you never know in this sport, so you have to go out and have an impact on each game and work hard. For me, though, and my spot on the team and the starting 11, I’m just trying to do something positive. As far as the US team, you never know who’s going to make it during the World Cup, nevermind even win it all. There’s so much great talent out there, and any team could make it to the finals today, because if you don’t perform, there’s another team that will play harder than you and take that win away.

 

You can catch Diego all season long as the New England Revolution look to bring the Cup home in 2016! Dig Boston will be giving away tickets to every home game so sign up for Daily Dig and win!

JEFF LAWRENCE
More from author
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    PUMPKIN BEER
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    MEDFORD BREWING COMPANY
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    HOPPED UP AND NOWHERE TO GO
  • JEFF LAWRENCE
    https://digboston.com/author/jeff-lawrence/
    7th ANNUAL MASS BREWERS FEST

Filed Under: FEATURES Tagged With: Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution, soccer

WHAT’S NEW

IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION

IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION

PICS & RECAP: COMMUNITY CANDLE VIGIL HONORING VICTIMS OF ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

PICS & RECAP: COMMUNITY CANDLE VIGIL HONORING VICTIMS OF ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

CAMBRIDGE CHURCH MINISTER SPEAKS ABOUT RECENT VANDALISM OF SIGN

CAMBRIDGE CHURCH MINISTER SPEAKS ABOUT RECENT VANDALISM OF SIGN

PRESSLEY MEETS WITH LOCAL 26 WORKERS

PRESSLEY MEETS WITH LOCAL 26 WORKERS

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

THE HOUR THAT THE SHIP COMES IN

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

JANEY OFFICIALLY DECLARES THAT SHE WILL RUN FOR FULL TERM

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • VACCINE EQUITY NOW! COALITION ASKS BAKER TO ALLOCATE 20% OF NEW DOSES TO HARD HIT COMMUNITIES by SHIRA LAUCHAROEN
  • A NEW PLACE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CALL HOME IN TOUGH TIMES by MARK EMMONS
  • rally to protest discrimination and crimes against Asian and Pacific islanders during Stop Asian Hate rally on Boston Common in Boston PICS & RECAP: “STOP ASIAN HATE BOSTON” RALLY ON THE COMMON by KEIKO HIROMI
  • IF YOU’RE SURPRISED THE BPD CODDLED AN ACCUSED MOLESTER COP, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION by CHRIS FARAONE
  • A FAREWELL TRIBUTE (OF SORTS) TO MARTY WALSH by DIG STAFF

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 2.1 – March 2021

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.05 – 4/8/21

Footer

digbos

digbos
“We’re not going to survive for 20 more years “We’re not going to survive for 20 more years if we don’t do this [move to a bigger space].” https://digboston.com/how-juliet-hit-a-100k-kickstarter-goal-in-4-days/ #restaurant #business #food #crowdfund #SomervilleMA #coronavirus #COVID19
EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR EDITORIAL: DIGBOSTON SEEKS CLIMATE IDEAS FOR MAYOR KIM JANEY. Environmental organizations and individual activists invited to submit opinion articles for publication. https://digboston.com/editorial-digboston-seeks-climate-ideas-for-mayor-kim-janey/ #politics @boston_mayor #environment #globalwarming #climate #activist #callforsubmissions #policy #Boston #Massachusetts
“Most are some of my favorite bars or local clas “Most are some of my favorite bars or local classics that I’ve learned to love in my time living in the city. Others just have a great facade that I know would make a great drawing.” https://digboston.com/drawn-but-not-forgotten-local-artist-sketches-beloved-boston-restaurants/ #art #artist #sketch #drawing #Boston #Massachusetts #bar #restaurant
Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors Despite #pandemic hurdles, Mass #music instructors hit new high notes. “My #teaching has gone to another level.” https://digboston.com/the-medium-is-the-maestro/ #education #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chron From the podcast to the book, Wayne Federman chronicles the business of joke-telling. https://digboston.com/the-history-of-stand-up-from-mark-twain-to-dave-chappelle/ #comedy #history #book #interview #Boston #Massachusetts
“I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local “I’m calling on some of you to drop by a local field office and hear what people have to say.” https://digboston.com/dear-reader-the-political-season-is-upon-us-embrace-it/ #politics #commentary #election #Massachusetts
“I think most people agree that we want our publ “I think most people agree that we want our public dollars to go to those companies that are not cutting corners.” https://digboston.com/bill-seeks-to-penalize-contractors-for-unsafe-conditions/ #politics #legislation #construction #safety #labor #Massachusetts
“It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, t “It’s just shocking to me for Massachusetts, the state that puts itself forward as this paragon of democracy. Those are just fundamental building blocks of a democratic society.” https://digboston.com/researchers-show-extent-of-lobbying-against-climate-bills-in-ma/ #environment #globalwarming #climate #crisis #politics #lobby #Massachusetts
I was lucky enough to get an extra #vaccine. Here’s how it went down. https://digboston.com/young-healthy-and-inoculated/ #young #youth #student #college #vaccination #publichealth #health #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its The MBTA confirmed that it will “fully fund its operating budget in the coming fiscal year and begin to restore cut service.” https://digboston.com/public-transit-public-good-responds-to-restoring-mbta-service/ #transportation #politics #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]