Transfers: Four MLS teams that should go after unsettled Lee Nguyen
With midfielder Lee Nguyen requesting a trade from the New England Revolution, we look at four teams that should acquire his services.
Philadelphia Union
Considering the acquisition of David Accam from the Chicago Fire, the Union are already looking like a better team than the one that took the field last season. Being in a strong Eastern Conference, however, it’s unlikely that they’ll break into the top six and reach the playoffs for the third time in the clubs history with their current squad.
Competition for Alejandro Bedoya would only be a positive as the American had a disappointing first season, scoring just twice and providing four assists in 28 appearances. If the Union plan on using David Accam up front as a forward, it gives them an opportunity to use someone like Jay Simpson as trade bait, along with some allocation money to bring Lee Nguyen to Philly.
New York Red Bulls
After dealing their captain midfielder, Sacha Kljestan, to Orlando City this offseason, the New York Red Bulls are lacking a veteran leader in the center of the park. If Jesse Marsch is looking to improve upon his team’s last two seasons, in which they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, then Lee Nguyen is their guy.
With youngsters in the midfield such as Tyler Adams and Derrick Etienne Jr., the Revolution captain would be vital to their growth with his six years of MLS experience. The 31-year-old had a significantly better goal-scoring 2017 season than Klejestan, scoring eleven goals compared to his counterparts two.
Although the now OCSC midfielder led the league with 17 assists, Nguyen fell short of that by just two. But keep in mind Lee was working with an underperforming Kei Kamara ahead of him compared to the Red Bull’s Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Minnesota United
With the exception of Sam Cronin, Minnesota United lack a certain amount of quality in center of the park that is needed to be successful. What’s standing in the way of this move happening is the team’s lack of spending. The Loons showed that it’s not entirely necessary to spend big to have a decent season, especially after how everyone predicted they would do.
With the latest injection of Targeted Allocation Money, the disgruntled Lee Nguyen is who the team should be going after, especially after missing out on Kljestan. With Nguyen being able to opt out of his contract in New England after the 2018 season, the Revs would be silly to let him go for free. To the liking of the Loon’s board, the midfielder might not cost very much as the Eastern Conference side will likely be forced to take what they can for him if he gives them no choice.
Sporting Kansas City
Just like the Red Bulls, Sporting Kansas City also traded away their star midfielder, sending Benny Feilhaber to MLS newcomers, LAFC. After a disappointing 2017 season in which he scored just five goals and contributed three assists, Feilhaber’s move seems best for both parties, especially if Kansas City could bring in a contributor like Lee Nguyen.
Next: MLS Transfer Reports: Navigating the rumor mill as January comes to a close
In exchange for the #10, Sporting KC received $400k in allocation money, something that would certainly tempt the Revolution, especially in their current rebuild under a new head coach. Yohan Croizet might be the replacement fans are looking for, but if the Western Conference side wants to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year, a well known midfielder like Nguyen would make that an easier job.