New England Soccer Today

Davies: Nguyen Deserves MVP Consideration

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – In what’s become a regular occurrence this season, Lee Nguyen was surrounded by reporters on Saturday following another win he helped spearhead. Only this time, a nearby teammate became part of the scene.

As Nguyen answered questions about his team-leading 13th goal, as well as his team’s recent run of success, a low chant started to build from the left of his locker.

“M-V-P…M-V-P,” the voice said in hushed tone.

Nguyen tried to keep a straight face as the one-man chant grew more persistent. To his credit, the veteran midfielder answered every question without letting the impromptu praise break his focus.

But after the pack of reporters disbursed, the voice spoke to why he believed Nguyen was deserving of the MVP award.

“Look at the stats,” the voice – a.k.a. Revolution striker Charlie Davies – said. “He’s a midfielder, and the numbers don’t lie.”

One of the stats that Davies is undoubtedly referring to is the 13 goals collected by Nguyen, the highest total for a pure midfielder this season. That number also constitutes 32 percent of the Revolution’s team aggregate (41), which is also the highest percentage among MLS midfielders.

Another noteworthy number that’s bolstered Nguyen’s candidacy for league honors? The seven game-winning goals he’s scored this year is tops in MLS. Not surprisingly, the Revolution are 9-1-1 when the veteran midfielder finds the back of the net.

“He’s helping us win games,” Davies said. “He’s been the catalyst for us this past season. He definitely deserves to be in the conversation, for sure.”

Davies can speak to that argument from first-hand experience. Two of Davies’ three assists this season have allowed Nguyen to build on one of the most impressive campaigns ever registered by a Revolution midfielder. The most recent combination occurred on Saturday, when Davies nodded a ball over to Nguyen, who took on two defenders before scoring the go-ahead against Montreal in the 25th minute.

While the stats and highlight reel efforts certainly tell much of the story, Davies also offered that his teammate’s also shown himself head and shoulders above the league’s premier names.

“He’s shown every game that he’s outplaying the top players,” Davies said, “whether they’re national team guys or guys that are proven in this league.”

Just as Davies wrapped up his pitch for Nguyen’s MVP candidacy, the midfielder pulled out his wallet and reached over to playfully offer his teammate a folded $20 bill.

“Thanks, bro,” Nguyen said, with a wink and a mischievous smile.

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