Diego Fagundez told reporters at MLS media day on Saturday in Los Angeles that he wants to play for the US national team after he gains his American citizenship in the coming months, but current FIFA rules won’t allow him to ever suit up for the Stars-and-Stripes.
The 22-year-old New England Revolution midfielder was born in Uruguay and moved to the US with his family at an early age. He represented Uruguay at the 2015 South American Youth Championship, playing in four matches at the tournament, which is considered an official competition by FIFA. That tournament cap-tied him to Uruguay, meaning he’ll never be able to play for another national team.
If Fagundez was a US citizen when he played for Uruguay in 2015, he would be able to file a one-time switch with FIFA to suit up for the USMNT. Because he wasn’t a citizen at the time, however, he’ll be ineligible to file a one-time switch even after he receives US citizenship.
Fagundez had seven goals and eight assists in 32 regular season games for New England last year and has reportedly drawn recent interest from Argentine club Newell's Old Boys.
