LA Galaxy Acquires Diego Fagundez in Trade with Austin FC
The LA Galaxy has made a significant move in the transfer market by acquiring winger Diego Fagundez in a trade with Austin FC, pending league approval. League sources have confirmed this news to The Athletic. In exchange, Austin will receive midfielder Memo Rodriguez and up to $300,000 in general allocation money (GAM), with the potential to increase to $900,000 GAM including add-ons.
Diego Fagundez, 28, has been a key player for Austin FC since their inaugural season in 2021. He has made 95 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals and providing 18 assists. Fagundez played a crucial role in leading Austin to the Western Conference final in 2022. In the current season, he has contributed three goals and one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions.
Fagundez signed a contract extension last offseason, making him one of the highest-paid players on the team. This move gives new sporting director Rodolfo Borrell greater flexibility to make changes to the roster and strengthen the squad.
The Uruguayan winger began his MLS career with the New England Revolution, joining as their first-ever homegrown signing in 2010. He made his MLS debut at the age of 16 in 2011 and went on to accumulate 278 appearances for New England.
Diego Fagundez will join a talented LA Galaxy attack that already features star No. 10 Riqui Puig, designated player Douglas Costa, and former US international Tyler Boyd. His addition adds another layer of quality and creativity to the group, providing a running mate for Puig.
It’s worth noting that the LA Galaxy currently has a transfer ban during this window, preventing them from signing players from abroad. However, they are still able to acquire players from within the country, as demonstrated by this trade for Fagundez. The transfer ban will expire when the summer transfer window closes on Wednesday night, allowing the Galaxy to sign international free agents like any other MLS team.
As for the Galaxy’s performance in the league, they currently sit 13th in the Western Conference with 22 points after 22 matches. They are seven points below the playoff line with 12 league matches remaining, so the addition of Fagundez could provide a much-needed boost to their playoff aspirations.
In other trade news around the league, the Portland Timbers have acquired Honduras international midfielder Bryan Acosta in a trade with the Colorado Rapids. Acosta, 29, has made 14 league appearances for the Rapids this season and has a total of 45 appearances in all competitions since joining the club in 2022. He originally came to MLS from Tenerife with FC Dallas as a Designated Player.
The Timbers’ decision to acquire Acosta comes after season-ending injuries to Eryk Williamson and David Ayala, providing them with another central midfielder with MLS experience. Meanwhile, the Rapids are actively seeking further reinforcements before the transfer deadline on Wednesday night.
Both the Rapids and the Timbers are currently below the playoff line in the Western Conference, with the Rapids in 14th place and the Timbers in 12th. The addition of Acosta and potential further signings could help both teams improve their form and push for a playoff spot.
Overall, these trades highlight the ongoing activity in the MLS transfer market as teams look to strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season. The acquisitions of Diego Fagundez by the LA Galaxy and Bryan Acosta by the Portland Timbers demonstrate the ambition of these clubs to compete at a higher level and secure a playoff berth. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how these new additions impact their respective teams’ performances on the field.