BRADENTON, Fla. – Lee Nguyen’s first two seasons with the New England Revolution were so successful that both the player and club have decided to extend the relationship.
Although already on the Revolution’s roster for the 2014 season, Nguyen’s contract with the club was officially extended on Tuesday morning, securing the 27-year-old midfielder’s future for years to come. After wrapping up an early training session in the Florida sunshine, Nguyen spoke highly of his current club and expressed excitement at what’s to come both this season and beyond.
“I’m just grateful and blessed to be part of an organization that put a lot of confidence in me,” he said. “It’s great to know that my future is going to be here for a while. That’s a pretty good feeling to be able to relax and now just focus on playing. I’m looking forward to helping the Revs push further this season.”
Nguyen has been a critical part of the Revolution’s resurgence the past two years, appearing in 63 of the club’s 68 regular-season games and starting both playoff matches against Sporting Kansas City in 2013. He’s tallied nine goals and nine assists during that stretch, including the assist on Juan Agudelo’s game-winning goal in the playoff-clinching victory over the Columbus Crew last season.
After originally entering MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2012, Nguyen was waived prior to the season and subsequently acquired by New England. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise for both the Revolution and Nguyen, who has become a focal point in New England’s dynamic young attack.
“Lee has shown what he can do on the field for us over the last couple of seasons,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “He’s someone that when we talk about core players, his name’s on the board most every time we play. I’ve enjoyed coaching him and I’m looking forward to coaching him for a few more years.”
Nguyen likewise praised the job Heaps and the technical staff have done assembling a competitive squad, saying that the Revolution’s first objective in 2014 is to improve upon last season’s finish, before adding that even more grandiose goals – like a championship – are within reach.
Should those objectives be achieved in 2014 or beyond, Nguyen is hoping to be part of the process.
“It’s good to see the Revs and the coaching staff put a lot of confidence in me to re-sign me,” he said. “I just want to pay them back.”
