Leominster native racking up milestones for Revolution
Leominster native ties for most appearances
On Aug. 6, 2011, Diego Fagundez came on as a substitute for the New England Revolution during a game against Chivas USA, making his first appearance in an MLS game for the club. At 16-years-old, he made team history as the youngest player to enter a game for the Revolution.
Ten years later, milestones continue to pile up for the Leominster resident.
Entering Sunday night’s game against D.C. United in the 67 th minute, Fagundez pulled into a tie with former goalkeeper Matt Reis for second all-time in appearances in a Revolution uniform. His 254th career appearance came in relief of Lee Nguyen in the 2- 0 victory.
Fagundez will have a chance to take over second all by his lonesome on Saturday as the Revolution hosts Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium.
With nine games left in the regular season, Fagundez could finish the campaign atop the career leaders list for appearances. Currently, he needs to see action in seven games to tie Shalrie Joseph’s mark of 261.
On the season, Fagundez has appeared in 12 of New England’s 14 games, earning starts in five of them. He scored his 53rd career goal for the team in a 3-1
victory over the Montreal Impact last Wednesday. The 25-year-old is second on the club list for markers, trailing only Taylor Twellman (101).
Revs on the rise
With a 5-3- 6 mark on the season, New England currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, five points back of Orlando for earning a home game in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The team has played well as of late, going 3-1-1 in its last five and boosting its playoff chances.
The conference’s top six teams earn a spot in the first round of the playoffs, with teams seven through 10 matching up in play-in games.
Other local notes
Duke football has had a rough go of things this season, but Leominster High grad Noah Gray continues to perform well for the Blue Devils. The 6-foot- 4 senior tight end leads Duke in both receptions (13) and receiving yards (152) through three games, and is one of just two Blue Devils to have caught a touchdown pass this season. … Former Lawrence Academy football star A. J. Dillon has seen limited action in his rookie season with Green Bay, but the running back has been handed the ball several times late in games for the unbeaten Packers. He got touches in each of the first two games of the season for 3- 0 Green Bay, racking up 31 yards on seven carries so far in his young career. … Gardner native Oliver Drake can add “2020 AL East champion” to his resume, as the Tampa Bay Rays finished atop the division standings this season. The 33-year-old reliever was 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in 11 appearances for the Rays this summer, his sixth season in the majors.