Revs’ Success Top Priority For Nguyen

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Lee Nguyen may not have been called into coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s camp for the United States’ friendly against Ecuador on Friday at Rentscheler Field, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get his elusive fourth cap before the end of the month.

With Klinsmann expected to make several changes to his roster for the subsequent friendly vs. Honduras on Oct. 14, Nguyen’s MVP-caliber season could make him a favorite to see the pitch at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.

“It would be great,” said Nguyen, who earned his last cap in 2007. “It would mean that I made a good decision to come back (to MLS) and prove myself, and all you can ask for is a chance.”

It’s fair to say that Nguyen has made the best of that chance in his third year in the league. After spending his first two seasons primarily on the wing, the shift to a central spot has allowed him to bust open the doors this season.

Although Nguyen was one of the team’s most reliable players during his first two seasons, it’s clear that he’s a player reborn as a central attacking midfielder.

“I have more freedom to find the game, and I think my fitness level is a lot higher than it was last year,” Nguyen said. “So all that helps as well, and just putting away chances this year.”

Putting away chances is what’s turned Nguyen from a consistent contributor into one of the league’s best. With a team-high 14 goals, and five assists in 29 games, Nguyen’s enjoyed a season in which many are hailing him as a potential MVP candidate. And with good reason.

His scoring haul is not only highest in MLS for a pure midfielder, but it’s the most by a Revolution player since Taylor Twellman collected 16 in 2007. More importantly, seven of his 14 goals have been game-winners, with his most recent coming in a 2-1 win over Montreal on Sept. 13.

And yet, every time the talk shifts to his sensational season, Nguyen, without fail, steers the conversation back to his teammates, and the collective cause.

“It’s flattering, obviously,” Nguyen said of the MVP talk. “But we still got a few more games left, and everybody’s doing well. I think it’s just a testament to how well this team is doing, and all the players are stepping up at the right time, which is great, and I’m just happy to help this team win.”

In many respects, Nguyen seems content to let his performances do the talking. Performances that, in his view, wouldn’t be possible without those around him.

“It helps when you’ve got guys just playing proper football, and playing unselfishly, and finding me in the right pockets,” Nguyen said. “When you get a good ball in a good spot, they expect you finish it, and it’s something where I don’t want to let my guys down at the same time.”

While Nguyen won’t don the U.S. kit on Friday, he’ll surely embrace the opportunity to help the Revolution clinch a playoff berth on Saturday in Montreal.

And if they do? Well, don’t be surprised if their leading scorer finds himself in Boca Raton before the club’s Oct. 16 match in Houston.

“We’ll talk about that when we cross that bridge,” Nguyen said, with a laugh, when asked about the possible logistics. “Whatever happens, happens. Nothing’s said yet, and we’ve still got more games to go.”

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