Peyton Miller would drive two hours from Unionville, Connecticut, to watch Diego Fagundez play for the New England Revolution. Now, the two sit in the same locker room, teammates for their hometown club.

Miller’s love for soccer developed early through rec games coached by his dad, Larry, and weekend trips to Gillette Stadium. As a kindergartener, he told others he would be a professional soccer player. In fourth grade, he wrote in the yearbook that he dreamed of playing for the Revolution.

He grew up watching Lee Nguyen, Shalrie Joseph, and others, but the player he most gravitated toward was Fagundez. The Leominster native signed a 15, and at 16, he made his first league appearance, drawing a penalty and scoring against Chivas USA.

Miller was 3 years old when Fagundez signed with the Revs. Naturally, he looked up to the talented youngster with the mohawk who was played well-beyond his age. He had even had a Fagundez jersey.

The attacker-turned-defender left home at 14 to live in a residential home, allowing him to be a more active member of the Revolution Academy. In 2023, he became the youngest player in club history to sign a first-team contract.

Miller signed at 15 years and 216 days old, while Fagundez signed at 15 years and 274 days old. The deals were 13 years apart.

Miller became the second-youngest player to feature for the Revs – behind Fagundez – when he played 16 minutes against the Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024.

“My whole career so far, I was trying to follow in his footsteps,” Miller said.

Fagundez left the Revolution after the 2020 season, playing for Austin FC and then the LA Galaxy. He returned to New England in March 2026, and Miller has already benefited from his presence.

“I didn’t really know what to say at first,” Miller said about recently meeting Fagundez. “But he’s been a really great guide for me throughout my career. I watched him, but having him now in the locker room–even though he’s been here for such a short time–he’s helped me a lot, took me under his wing.”

Miller played his first minutes of 2026 against Cincinnati after dealing with an injury from overworked muscles. The game also happened to mark Fagundez’s return.

Miller entered in the 86th minute while Fagundez came on in the 88th. One minute later, Fagundez connected with Dor Turgeman, who set up Miller’s first-ever home goal. 

The two youngest Revs players to ever sign for the club combined for a goal in their first game together.

“For that to happen, it’s special,” Miller said.

Fagundez agrees. 

“I’ve followed his career – great player,” Fagundez said. “That’s why I was very happy today for him to get a goal [against FC Cincinnati], knowing that he just came back from an injury. Him coming in today and making a difference is huge.”

With Jackson Yueill currently wearing 14, Fagundez pivoted to 77, explaining that he's worn 7 before and that 7 plus 7 is 14. Interestingly, Miller wore 77 while in the Academy.

Fagundez, now 31, still has plenty he hopes to achieve, including winning a second MLS Cup – this one with the Revolution – but he also wants to offer advice to the next generation, which of course includes Miller.

“I’m going to try to keep doing that with the young guys – teaching them everything I can and taking them under my wing like everybody else did for me when I was here, and I was only 16 years old,” Fagundez explained.