FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired midfielder Lee Nguyen from Inter Miami CF in exchange for the club’s natural fourth-round selection in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft and up to $50,000 in General Allocation Money if the player meets certain performance-based metrics with the club. A nine-year MLS veteran who spent six seasons in New England from 2012-18, Nguyen re-joins the club after featuring for LAFC and Inter Miami CF over the last three years.
Nguyen, 33, returns to Foxborough as one of the most productive players in club history and a member of the Revolution’s All-Time Team. After joining New England through the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft, Nguyen recorded 191 games played, 185 starts, 51 goals, and 49 assists across six seasons with the club. In the postseason, including the Revolution’s run to MLS Cup in 2014, he made eight starts and added two goals with four assists. His MLS career totals include 244 appearances, 216 starts, 54 goals, and 58 assists.
“Lee Nguyen is a player with a proven history in our league. His ability as both a playmaker and goal scorer will complement our roster,” Sporting Director & Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “We are excited to have Lee return to our club and city, and we look forward to his contributions as we close out the 2020 season.”
“New England is where I had some of the best and most memorable moments of my professional career, so having the opportunity to come back here is an incredible feeling,” Nguyen said. “After speaking with Bruce Arena and his staff, I’m excited to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to put a Revolution shirt on again and play in front of The Fort.”
New England traded Nguyen in May 2018 to LAFC, where he contributed three goals and nine assists from 2018-19. He helped LAFC capture the 2019 Supporters’ Shield, and made two appearances – both starts – in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. He was then selected by Inter Miami CF in the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft, and made five appearances for the expansion side this season.
The Texas native is well represented in the Revolution’s record book, as he ranks among the top 10 in virtually every statistical category, including games played (10th), games started (7th), minutes played (8th), goals (3rd), assists (2nd), shots (3rd), and shots on goal (3rd). He also leads New England in all-time penalty kick goals converted with 16. Nguyen is one of three Revolution players, along with Steve Ralston and Diego Fagundez, with at least 40 goals and 40 assists. With one more assist, he’ll become the first player in club history to reach 50 goals and 50 assists with the team. He is also the most recent Revolution player nominated for MLS MVP, having earned a spot in the ballot in 2014, when he registered 18 goals – the most ever by a Revs midfielder in a single season – and five assists.
Nguyen joins midfielder Kelyn Rowe and defender Seth Sinovic as former Revolution players who re-joined the club this season. Shalrie Joseph, who along with Nguyen was named to New England’s All-Time Team, also re-joined the club as Head Coach of the Revolution Academy Under-15 team earlier this year.
On the international stage, Nguyen has been capped nine times by the United States Men’s National Team, with his last appearance coming in Oct. 2015.
New England resumes the club’s 25th MLS season on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. The match will air locally on NBC Sports Boston, and is also available on the radio at 98.5 The Sports Hub, with 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA providing Portuguese commentary.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire midfielder Lee Nguyen from Inter Miami CF in exchange for New England’s natural fourth-round selection in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft and up to $50,000 in General Allocation Money if the player meets certain performance-based metrics with the club on Sept. 8, 2020.
Lee Nguyen
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Date of Birth: 10/07/1986 (Richardson, Texas.)
Nationality: United States
Previous Club: Inter Miami CF
Acquired: Trade with Inter Miami CF on Sept. 8, 2020
Twitter: @LeeNguyen24
