By Chris Blakely, Playing for 90
Lee Nguyen. Who the heck are you and where did you come from?
Lee Nguyen #24 of the ew England Revolution paces the ball on the attack against Juninho #19 of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the second half during 2014 MLS Cup at StubHub Center on December 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy defeated the Revolution 2-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Have you ever been watching a soccer match and think “Where in the heck did that guy come from?” Well, that was me when it came to Lee Nguyen. I’ve heard off him, but it got me wondering why all of a sudden he became good. So I did a little research and this is what I found.
Lee Nguyen was born on October 7, 1986 in Richardson, Texas. He played soccer at Plano East Senior High School where he was named the 2005 National Gatorade Boys Soccer High School Player of the Year. He played one year of college soccer at Indiana University where he was selected as 2005 National Freshman of the Year by Soccer America and Soccer Times. He scored five goals and had 12 assists in 22 appearances for the Hoosiers.
After his one season with Indiana, Nguyen signed a three and a half-year contract with PSV Eindhoven of the Eredivisie in February of 2006. However, after just two appearances, Nguyen decided to make a move for more playing time. He ended up signing with Danish Superliga club Randers FC. He made 23 appearances in a little over two years’ time.
Nguyen was looking to remain in Europe, but decided a change in scenery would be for the best. He received a lucrative contract offer from V.League 1 club Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in January of 2009.
Nguyen became the Vietnamese league’s first American player when he signed with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai on January 17, 2009. He scored 13 goals and 16 assists in 24 appearances in all competitions for the club in 2009. A year later he moved Becamex Binh Duong but injuries limited his playing time as he scored only one goal in five appearances over a year and a half.
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