TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
Itâs been a source of curiosity and speculation in MLS circles this spring: What are the New England Revolution doing with Lee Nguyen?
The Revsâ veteran playmaker requested a trade in the offseason but has received only a spot on the teamâs periphery in return. The US international has yet to play a minute or even make the Revsâ 18-man gameday roster this season, amid reports that new coach Brad Friedel has steadfastly refused to even entertain offers for Nguyen for much of this spring.
ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman discussed the issue in detail at halftime of Sundayâs Sporting KC vs. Seattle Sounders broadcast, revealing that New England recently received â and apparently rejected â a sizable offer from another MLS club for Nguyen.
âFirst and foremost, I want to make this clear, that I have no problem If Brad Friedel looks at Lee Nguyen and says, âhe doesnât fit into my plans.â Any coach has that matter, it happens all over the world. thatâs not an issue,â said Twellman, himself a Revolution icon thanks to years of goalscoring exploits during his own playing career.
âBut thereâs two parts of this that are very important. Ten days ago a team in the Eastern Conference offered $750,000 of allocation money for Lee Nguyen. If Justin Meram [traded from Columbus to Orlando over the winter] is worth a little more than a million, thatâs too low for the New England Revolution to pull the plug on that. However, if you look at the asset, which is Lee Nguyen, heâs got this year and two-year options. thatâs $1.5 million, plus that allocation, at minimum of 750[,000], thatâs an asset of $2.25 million."
The Revs have gotten off to a decent start this season without Nguyen, winning three of their first five matches before losing at home to FC Dallas on Saturday. They currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference.