Galaxy’s Diego Fagundez approaching 350th career appearance

Diego Fagundez’s next appearance for the Galaxy will be a milestone.

Fagundez made his MLS debut in 2011 at 16 years old with the New England Revolution. He’s also spent two-plus seasons with Austin FC before a trade to the Galaxy this season.

On Sunday, if Fagundez steps on the field as the Galaxy hosts first-place St. Louis City SC, it will be the 350th time in his career.

“I actually didn’t know that,” Fagundez of the approaching milestone. “It’s kind of wild to think of that, but I guess all these years in the league and to have this many appearances is actually pretty cool.

“One of my milestones were goals and assists, but 350 is pretty good there, we just found out, I’m tied for ninth for active players, hopefully a lot more years to come, a lot more games, hopefully catch (all-time leader in games) Kyle Beckerman (498 games).”

Fagundez, who was acquired by the Galaxy on Aug. 1, knows he’s come a long way in his career.

“I signed professionally at 15 and I played (made debut) at 16,” he said. “My goal was to be a role model to teenagers because when I was there (at New England), I always looked up to players. And for me to be able to do that and go to one place and make a difference, that’s what I wanted and I think in all these years playing, I’ve definitely done that and hopefully I can keep doing that.

“Everyone wants to win a (MLS) Cup and that’s another goal that I still have and hopefully I can accomplish, so there’s still a lot more things to do before hanging up the boots.”

Fagundez credits players like Jose Cancela, Shalrie Joseph and Matt Reis as his mentors when he arrived as a teenager.

“I remember watching Jose and saying one day, ‘I want to be on that side.’ And a couple of years go by and I was able to sign and it was an amazing feeling,” Fagundez said.