In the 26-year history of Major League Soccer, only 23 players have recorded 50 goals and 50 assists, and Austin FC midfielder Diego Fagundez joined that elite group with a two-assist performance against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night. At 26 years and 263 days old, Fagundez is also the second-youngest player to reach that milestone, with only Landon Donovan accomplishing the feat before his 26th birthday.
After a wonderful strike against FC Dallas last weekend brought his career tally in MLS to 60 goals, Fagundez played a role in 2 of the Club’s 3 tallies in midweek. In the buildup to the fastest goal in Austin FC history, Fagundez’s cross picked out an unmarked Jared Stroud at the far post, who headed the ball back across the face of goal to a wide open Sebastián Driussi.
On the hour mark, Fagundez once again found Stroud with a clever through ball as ATXFC counterattacked, and Stroud’s low strike to the far post gave the Uruguayan-born midfielder his 50th assist in MLS. One of Austin’s most important players throughout the Club’s inaugural season, Fagundez’s seven goals and five assists are tied for the team-high in each category.
“He always tends to have some sort of contact or impact on the goals or the creation of goals,” said Austin FC Head Coach Josh Wolff on Wednesday of what Fagundez’s presence has meant to the Club this season. “That’s contributed to his ability to be selfless, his willingness to work for others.
“His quality is clear, and as he got fit, his performances were indicative of the type of player he is. He’s been fantastic for us.”
Wolff and Austin FC Assistant Coach Davy Arnaud both came close to reaching the 50 goal/50 assist milestone during their own playing careers. Wolff finished one assist shy of joining the club, while Arnaud was four assists shy.
