View source for Lee Nguyen

{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lee Nguyen
| image = NC Courage vs Seattle Reign (Mar 2025) 001.jpg
| caption = Nguyen with the [[Seattle Reign FC|Seattle Reign]] in 2025
| fullname = Lee Nguyễn Thế Anh
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|10|7}}
| birth_place = [[Richardson, Texas]], U.S.
| height = 5 ft 8 in
| currentclub = [[Seattle Reign FC]] (assistant)
| clubnumber = 
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 2000–2004
| youthclubs1 = Dallas Texans
| collegeyears1 = 2005
| college1 = [[Indiana Hoosiers men's soccer|Indiana Hoosiers]]
| collegecaps1 = 22
| collegegoals1 = 5
| years1 = 2006–2008
| years2 = 2008–2009
| years3 = 2009–2010
| years4 = 2010–2011
| years5 = 2012–2018
| years6 = 2018–2019
| years7 = 2020
| years8 = 2020
| years9 = 2021–2022
| clubs1 = [[PSV Eindhoven]]
| clubs2 = [[Randers FC|Randers]]
| clubs3 = [[Hoàng Anh Gia Lai F.C.|Hoàng Anh Gia Lai]]
| clubs4 = [[Becamex Binh Duong F.C.|Becamex Bình Dương]]
| clubs5 = [[New England Revolution]]
| clubs6 = [[Los Angeles FC]]
| clubs7 = [[Inter Miami CF]]
| clubs8 = [[New England Revolution]]
| clubs9 = [[Ho Chi Minh City FC|Ho Chi Minh City]]
| caps1 = 1
| caps2 = 22
| caps3 = 23
| caps4 = 15
| caps5 = 191
| caps6 = 48
| caps7 = 5
| caps8 = 12
| caps9 = 23
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| goals3 = 9
| goals4 = 2
| goals5 = 51
| goals6 = 3
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 1
| goals9 = 7
| totalcaps = 340
| totalgoals = 73
| nationalyears1 = 2005
| nationalyears2 = 2007–2016
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national under-20 soccer team|United States U20]]
| nationalteam2 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalcaps2 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs1 = [[Washington Spirit]] (assistant)
| manageryears2 = 2023
| managerclubs2 = [[Kansas City Current]] (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2024
| managerclubs3 = [[Angel City FC]] (assistant)
| manageryears4 = 2025–
| managerclubs4 = [[Seattle Reign FC]] (assistant)
| pcupdate = November 5, 2023
| ntupdate = February 6, 2016
}}
'''Lee Nguyen''' ({{langx|vi|Nguyễn Thế Anh}}, born October 7, 1986) is an American professional [[association football|soccer]] coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach for [[Seattle Reign FC]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reignfc.com/news/seattle-reign-fc-announces-lee-nguyen-as-assistant-coach|title=Seattle Reign FC Announces Lee Nguyen as Assistant Coach|website=Seattle Reign FC}}</ref>

Nguyen's 15-year playing career spanned the Netherlands, Denmark, Vietnam, and the United States, where he appeared in over 250 league matches in [[Major League Soccer]]. After winning two [[Eredivisie]] titles and a Johan Cruijff Shield with [[PSV Eindhoven]], Nguyen spent two seasons in Vietnam before moving to Major League soccer, where he led the [[New England Revolution]] to the [[MLS Cup 2014|2014 MLS Cup final]] and won the [[2019 Los Angeles FC season|2019]] [[Supporters' Shield]] title with [[Los Angeles FC]]. Nguyen returned to Vietnam to sign for Ho Chi Minh City in 2021.

==Youth and college==
Nguyen graduated from [[Plano East Senior High School]] in his native [[Texas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/nguyen_lee00.html|title=Lee Nguyen Bio - Indiana University Official Athletic Site|publisher=iuhoosiers.com|access-date=September 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904174946/http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/nguyen_lee00.html|archive-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> and was named [[Gatorade Player of the Year awards#Soccer|National Gatorade Boys Soccer High School Player of the Year]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/030805aaa.html |title=Nguyen Named Gatorade POY (03-08-05) - Indiana University Official Athletic Site |publisher=iuhoosiers.com |date=March 8, 2005 |access-date=August 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905031247/http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/030805aaa.html |archive-date=September 5, 2014  }}</ref> He played one season for [[Indiana Hoosiers men's soccer|Indiana University]] in 2005, producing five goals and 12 assists in 22 games and was selected as 2005 National Freshman of the Year by [[Soccer America]] and Soccer Times. Nguyen was also a first team All-[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] selection and [[Big Ten Conference Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year|Big Ten Freshman of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/nguyen_lee00.html|title=Lee Nguyen Bio - Indiana University Official Athletic Site|publisher=iuhoosiers.com|access-date=August 31, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904174946/http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/nguyen_lee00.html|archive-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref>

==Club career==
===PSV Eindhoven===
Nguyen began his professional career by signing a three-and-a-half-year deal with Dutch [[Eredivisie]] team [[PSV Eindhoven]] in February 2006, but after making just two appearances with the club's senior team, he moved on to get more first-team time somewhere else.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.midnightriders.com/events-awards/man-of-the-year-award/|title=Midnight Riders Man of the Year|date=March 7, 2012}}</ref>

===Randers FC===
On January 31, 2008, Nguyen signed with the [[Danish Superliga]] club [[Randers FC]] until the summer of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jesper |last=HelminLagt |title=Tre forstærkninger til Randers FC |url=http://www.bold.dk/nyt/index.php?vis=79210 |work=bold.dk |publisher=Sport Publish OÜ |date=January 31, 2008 |language=da}}</ref> He made 23 appearances with the club in parts of two seasons.<ref name="auto" />

===Hoàng Anh Gia Lai===
With Nguyen still hoping to remain in Europe but ready for a change of scenery, [[V.League 1]] club [[Hoàng Anh Gia Lai F.C.|Hoàng Anh Gia Lai]], based in the centrally located city of [[Pleiku]], gave his Vietnamese father a contract offer in January 2009 to pass along to his son. The offer was much more lucrative than what he could have hoped for anywhere else, but by accepting it he took himself completely off the [[United States Men's National Soccer Team|United States Men's National Team]] radar at the age of 23 after just three appearances.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/19/new-england-revolution-star-lee-nguyen-rugged-road-mls-stardom |title=For New England Revolution playmaker Lee Nguyen, a rugged road to MLS stardom |publisher=mlssoccer.com |access-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921035533/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/19/new-england-revolution-star-lee-nguyen-rugged-road-mls-stardom |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref name="auto" /> Through club partnership connections, Nguyen spent the middle of 2009 training with English club [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in the hopes of earning another contract in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1276/south-east-asia/2009/09/17/1506214/us-vietnamese-star-lee-nguyen-to-train-with-arsenal |title=US-Vietnamese Star Lee Nguyen To Train With Arsenal |publisher=Goal.com |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=December 15, 2011}}</ref>

===Becamex Binh Duong===
In January 2010, Nguyen signed with another [[V.League 1]] club, [[Becamex Binh Duong F.C.]] in [[Thủ Dầu Một]]. Injuries limited his impact as he scored just one goal in five appearances for the club in one and a half years.<ref name="auto" /> His desire to play for the U.S. was rekindled, however, by the August 2011 hiring of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose style Nguyen hoped would better fit his midfield skills. Despite a large new contract offer in Vietnam, he decided to return to the U.S.<ref name="auto1" />

===New England Revolution===
Nguyen signed a multi-year deal with [[Major League Soccer]] on December 7, 2011, and was originally allocated to the [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC]] in a weighted lottery.  He made three preseason appearances with Vancouver before being waived on March 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |author=Fidencio Enriquez |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/06/nguyen-signs-multi-year-contract-mls |title=Ex-US int'l Nguyen signs multi-year deal with MLS |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=December 6, 2011 |access-date=December 15, 2011 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107194820/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/06/nguyen-signs-multi-year-contract-mls |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 2, 2012, he was selected by the New England Revolution with the second overall pick in the MLS Waiver Draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Revs add midfielder Lee Nguyen through Waiver Draft|url=http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/2012/03/revs-add-midfielder-lee-nguyen-through-waiver-draft|publisher=revolutionsoccer.net|access-date=March 2, 2012|date=March 2, 2012|archive-date=March 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305021148/http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/2012/03/revs-add-midfielder-lee-nguyen-through-waiver-draft|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nguyen made 30 regular-season appearances for the Revolution in [[2012 New England Revolution season|2012]], including 27 starts. He finished second on the team in scoring with five goals (two assists) and was voted the [[Midnight Riders (MLS supporters association)|Midnight Riders]] Man of Year by the fans.<ref name="auto" /> His second career MLS goal—and second goal of the game against Vancouver on May 12—was one of four finalists for the [[MLS Goal of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Revolution's Nguyen finalist for MLS goal of the year |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/blog/2012/11/revolutions_ngu.html |work=Boston Globe |access-date=September 4, 2014 |date=November 24, 2012}}</ref> He was named MLS Player of the Week for matchweek 10 following that performance, and also named Revolution Team Most Valuable Player for 2012.<ref name="2024 Media Guide">{{cite book |title=2024 Media Guide |publisher=New England Revolution |url=https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322013528/https://revolution.1rmg.com/season/2024/media-guide/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> 

In [[2013 New England Revolution season|2013]], Nguyen appeared in 33 league matches, scoring four goals and recording seven assists, helping the Revolution reach the playoffs for the first time since [[2009 New England Revolution season|2009]].<ref name="auto" /><ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>

Nguyen had a banner year in the [[2014 New England Revolution season]], leading the Revolution in scoring with 18 goals and 5 assists (the most ever by a Revolution midfielder in an MLS season),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/players/lee-nguyen/ |title=Lee Nguyen |accessdate=May 4, 2024}}</ref> and again being  voted the [[Midnight Riders (MLS supporters association)|Midnight Riders]] Man of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.midnightriders.com/events-awards/man-of-the-year-award/|title=Man of the Year Award|work=The Midnight Riders|access-date=October 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He was named Revolution Team MVP, MLS Player of the Month for October, a [[2014 MLS All-Star Game|2014 MLS-All Star]], and an [[MLS Best XI|MLS "Best XI" selection]].<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>  For his contributions to the team—including 9 game-winning goals in the regular season—Nguyen was named as a finalist for the 2014 version of the [[Major League Soccer MVP Award]] along with [[Seattle Sounders FC]] forward [[Obafemi Martins]] and [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] forward [[Robbie Keane]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins, Lee Nguyen vie for MVP as MLS announces 2014 awards finalists |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/20/robbie-keane-obafemi-martins-lee-nguyen-vie-mvp-mls-announces-awards-finalists |publisher=mlssoccer.com |access-date=November 22, 2014 |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121140747/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/20/robbie-keane-obafemi-martins-lee-nguyen-vie-mvp-mls-announces-awards-finalists |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nguyen's goal against the [[Houston Dynamo]] (which was named MLS Goal of the Week for matchweek 32) also made it to the final round of voting for the 2014 version of the [[MLS Goal of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2014 AT&T Goal of the Year Nominees: Final Four |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/11/20/2014-att-goal-year-nominees-final-four |publisher=mlssoccer.com |access-date=November 22, 2014}}</ref> He was named MLS Player of the Week for matchweek 32.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>

Nguyen led the team in assists and finished second in team scoring during the [[2015 New England Revolution season|2015 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/stats?year=2015&form_build_id=form-hD7TuaAYH2US4w9w3e4ChUjizkFFH91dVcHLb8vzEas&form_id=mp7_stats_hub_build_filter_form| title=Statistics |website=www.revolutionsoccer.net |access-date = January 16, 2019}}</ref>

During the [[2016 New England Revolution season|2016 season]], Nguyen became the Revolution's team captain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thebentmusket.com/2016/5/31/11814664/captain-lee-nguyen-is-motivated-after-failing-to-make-copa-america|title=Nguyen Motivated After Copa Snub|first=Seth|last=Macomber|newspaper=The Bent Musket |date=May 31, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref> He led the team in assists, with 10, and finished 3rd in goals scored, with 6.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/stats?year=2016&form_build_id=form-DmfvEQ5m0N-jYfdlsPueQk41NTSjR6PULBFDUw383ws&form_id=mp7_stats_hub_build_filter_form|title= Statistics |newspaper=New England Revolution |access-date = January 16, 2019}}</ref> He additionally led the team in matches started, with 33, and minutes played.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/> His week 18 goal against Columbus Crew on July 9 won MLS Goal of the Week.<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>

In August 2017, The Revolution reportedly rejected a $1 million bid for Nguyen from [[Israeli Premier League]] side [[Maccabi Haifa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebentmusket.com/revolution-transfer-news-rumors/2017/8/1/16076300/revolution-transfer-rumor-lee-nguyen-israel |title=Report: Revs reject $1 million transfer offer for Lee Nguyen |website=www.thebentmusket.com|date=August 2017 |access-date= January 16, 2019}}</ref> He would finish the [[2017 New England Revolution season|2017 season]] first in assists, and second in goals scored, with 15 and 11 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/stats?year=2017&form_build_id=form-ZNDYKT-LkOTApZnkbdS2jCalZn_0WfKaf9R6u8I8dMw&form_id=mp7_stats_hub_build_filter_form| title=Statistics |website=www.revolutionsoccer.net |access-date = January 16, 2019}}</ref> He again led the team in games started (tied with [[Andrew Farrell (soccer)|Andrew Farrell]].<ref name="2024 Media Guide"/>

Citing frustration over his contract (he was at the time the seventh-highest paid player on the team, making $500,000, despite ranking fifth in the league in over-all goals over the previous four seasons), Nguyen reportedly demanded a trade at the end of the 2017 season on three separate occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/11/stejskal-new-england-revolution-s-lee-nguyen-requests-offseason-trade|title=Stejskal: New England Revolution's Lee Nguyen requests offseason trade |website=www.mlssoccer.com|access-date= January 16, 2019}}</ref> The dispute would ultimately lead to his sitting-out the team's pre-season training camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/new-england-revolution/story/3360225/lee-nguyen-wants-new-england-to-trade-himsaying-hes-paid-his-dues|title=Lee Nguyen wants New England to trade him, saying he's paid his dues |website=www.espn.com |date=January 25, 2018 |access-date = January 16, 2019}}</ref>

===Los Angeles FC===
On May 1, 2018, New England traded Nguyen to [[Los Angeles FC]] in exchange for $350,000 in General Allocation Money and $350,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2018/05/01/new-england-revolution-agree-trade-los-angeles-fc|title=New England Revolution agree to trade with Los Angeles FC |publisher=revolutionsoccer.net |date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> On July 26, 2018, Nguyen scored on a free kick leading Los Angeles FC to a 2–0 lead over [[LA Galaxy]]. The match ultimately ended 2–2 after a second-half comeback by their crosstown rival.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2018/07/27/la-galaxy-roar-back-for-2-2-draw-with-lafc-in-rivalry-series/37147543/|title=LA Galaxy roar back for 2-2 draw with LAFC in rivalry series|work=USA Today|access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref>

===Inter Miami CF===
On November 19, 2019, Nguyen was selected by MLS expansion side [[Inter Miami CF]] in the [[2019 MLS Expansion Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/11/19/2019-expansion-draft-results-inter-miami-and-nashville-sc-picks |title=2019 Expansion Draft results: Inter Miami, Nashville SC make their picks |access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref>

===Return to New England Revolution===
Nguyen was traded back to the Revolution on September 8, 2020, for a fourth-round selection in the [[2021 MLS SuperDraft]] and up to $50,000 in General Allocation Money.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/09/08/new-england-revolution-acquire-lee-nguyen-inter-miami| title = New England Revolution acquire Lee Nguyen from Inter Miami {{!}} MLSSoccer.com}}</ref>

Nguyen made 12 appearances for the Revolution in 2020, starting 8 matches and scoring one goal, an 80th-minute penalty against [[New York City FC|NYCFC]] on October 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/585544 |title=Revs strike quickly, hold on to beat NYCFC |date=October 11, 2020 |accessdate=June 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen/stats/ |title=Lee Nguyen |accessdate=June 23, 2022}}</ref>

===Ho Chi Minh City FC===
On December 25, 2020, [[Ho Chi Minh City FC|Ho Chi Minh City]] announced the signing of Lee Nguyen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/former-new-england-revolution-star-lee-nguyen-joins-vietnamese-side-ho-chi-minh- |title=Former New England Revolution star Lee Nguyen joins Vietnamese side Ho Chi Minh City |date=December 26, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2022}}</ref>

On August 8, 2021, Nguyen left Ho Chi Minh City to return in Texas as the [[2021 V.League 1]] season ended early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/fc-dallas/2021/09/08/pandemic-pushed-north-texan-soccer-journeyman-lee-nguyen-back-home-with-new-opportunities-waiting/ | title=Pandemic pushed North Texan, soccer journeyman Lee Nguyen back home, with new opportunities waiting | date=September 8, 2021 }}</ref>

===Return to soccer and 2nd stint at Ho Chi Minh City===
After retiring from playing and becoming the assistant coach of the [[Washington Spirit]] in early 2022, on August 6, 2022, Nguyen came out of retirement and return to play for Ho Chi Minh City.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://vnexpress.net/lee-nguyen-toi-tro-lai-de-giup-clb-tp-hcm-4497732.html | title=Lee Nguyễn: 'Tôi trở lại để giúp CLB TP HCM' | author1=Vnexpress }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2022/08/06/spirit-assistant-coach-lee-nguyen-coming-out-of-retirement-returning-to-play/ | title=Spirit Assistant Coach Lee Nguyen Coming Out of Retirement, Returning to Play » Washington Spirit | date=August 6, 2022 }}</ref>

===The Soccer Tournament===
In 2023, Nguyen played in [[The Soccer Tournament]] with ZALA FFF.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonagura |first1=Kyle |title=The Soccer Tournament boasts $1m prize, U.S. legends, Premier League pedigree and Hollywood headliners |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37638526/tst-full-soccer-legends-hollywood-headliners |website=ESPN.com |date=May 4, 2023 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref>

==International career==
After playing for several United States junior level squads, namely the [[United States men's national under-18 soccer team|under-18s]], [[United States men's national under-20 soccer team|under-20s]], and [[United States men's national under-23 soccer team|under-23s]], including being the only high school player named to the under-20 roster for the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]], Nguyen made his debut for the senior [[United States Men's National Soccer Team|United States Men's National Team]] in a friendly against [[China national football team|China]] on June 2, 2007. He made two other appearances with the team in 2007 as part of the [[2007 Copa América squads#United States|Copa América roster]].<ref name="auto" />

On November 10, 2014, [[Jürgen Klinsmann]] called up Nguyen for the first time in seven years for friendlies against Colombia and the Republic of Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2014/11/11/6052921/lee-nguyen-relishes-second-crack-with-us-national-team|title=Lee Nguyen relishes second crack with U.S. national team|work=Goal.com|access-date=November 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/11/10/revonotes/szPB7LXkol2K0m4UiskqCI/story.html|title=Revolution's Lee Nguyen, Jermaine Jones called up to US team - The Boston Globe|website=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2014/news/article/2014/11/11/new-england-revolution-excited-well-deserved-usmnt-call-ups-lee-nguyen-jerma|title=New England Revolution excited for 'well deserved' USMNT call-ups for Lee Nguyen, Jermaine Jones|work=MLSsoccer.com|access-date=November 28, 2014}}</ref> and again on January 9, 2015, for the training camp ahead of the friendlies against Chile and Panama. Nguyen made his reappearance with the USMNT as a substitute in a friendly match against Costa Rica on October 13, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2015/10/13/20/18/151013-mnt-loses-to-costa-rica-in-red-bull-arena-friendly |title=MNT Loses to Costa Rica in Red Bull Arena Friendly |publisher=ussoccer.com |date=October 13, 2015 |access-date=October 13, 2015}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
On October 6, 2021, Nguyen worked with the Washington Spirit and went on to win the NWSL Championship. Following that season, he announced his retirement from professional soccer, and re-signed with the Washington Spirit as an assistant coach.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2022/02/04/lee-nguyen-re-signs-with-the-spirit-to-remain-assistant-coach | title=Lee Nguyen Re-Signs with the Spirit to Remain Assistant Coach » Washington Spirit | date=February 4, 2022 }}</ref>

On June 14, 2023, the Kansas City Current announced the hiring of Nguyen as an assistant coach under interim head coach [[Caroline Sjöblom]].<ref name="kshb-current">{{cite news |url=https://www.kshb.com/sports/local-sports/kc-current/former-mls-midfielder-lee-nguyen-joins-kansas-city-current-as-assistant-coach |title=Former MLS midfielder Lee Nguyen joins Kansas City Current as assistant coach |date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=[[KSHB]] |first=Jack |last=Anstine}}</ref>

On January 9, 2024, Angel City FC announced they had hired Nguyen as an assistant coach to work under head coach [[Becki Tweed]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Angel City Solidifies Technical Staff |url=https://www.angelcity.com/news/article/angel-city-solidifies-technical-staff |access-date=2024-01-16 |publisher=Angel City FC}}</ref>

He joined [[Seattle Reign FC]] as an assistant coach in February 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Voght |first=Steve |date=February 21, 2025 |title=Reign hire Lee Nguyen as assistant coach |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/2025/02/reign-hire-lee-nguyen-as-assistant-coach/ |work=Sounder at Heart |accessdate=February 23, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nguyen holds dual citizenship of the United States and Vietnam.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Littlefield|url=http://onlyagame.wbur.org/2012/06/02/lee-nguyen|title=The Long, Strange Trip of Lee Nguyen|publisher=Only A Game|date=June 2, 2012|access-date=December 7, 2014}}</ref>

Lee Nguyen's father, Pham Nguyen, fled to the United States a few years before the [[fall of Saigon]], precisely in 1973, and later settled in [[Richardson, Texas]], where Lee was born. Pham also played soccer in his youth.<ref>{{Cite web | title=NGUYENing {{!}} The Lee Nguyen Story | work=New England Revolution | date=September 11, 2017 | access-date=May 26, 2018 | url=https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2017/09/11/nguyening-lee-nguyen-story}}</ref>

In 2012, Nguyen was named one of [[The Boston Globe]]'s 25 Most Stylish Bostonians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/fashion/gallery/most_stylish_boston_2012?pg=17 |title=The 25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2012 |work=Boston Globe |access-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web |title=Lee Nguyen » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/lee-nguyen/2/ |publisher=World Football |access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="3" |League
! colspan="2" |Cup
! colspan="2" |Other
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[PSV Eindhoven]]
|[[2005–06 PSV Eindhoven season|2005–06]]
|[[Eredivisie]]
|1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|[[2006–07 PSV Eindhoven season|2006–07]]
|Eredivisie
|0||0||0||0||1{{efn|Appearance in the [[Johan Cruyff Shield]]}}||0||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!1!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Randers FC|Randers]]
|[[2007–08 Danish Superliga|2007–08]]
|[[Danish Superliga]]
|13||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||13||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Danish Superliga|2008–09]]
|Danish Superliga
|9||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!22!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!22!!0
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC|Hoang Anh Gia Lai]]
|[[2009 V-League|2009]]
|[[V.League 1]]
|22||9||2||4||colspan="2"|—||24||13
|-
|[[2010 V-League|2010]]
|V.League 1
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!23!!9!!2!!4!!0!!0!!25!!13
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Becamex Binh Duong FC|Becamex Binh Duong]]
|[[2010 V-League|2010]]
|V.League 1
|10||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||10||0
|-
|[[2011 V-League|2011]]
|V.League 1
|5||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!15!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!15!!2
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[New England Revolution]]
|[[2012 New England Revolution season|2012]]
|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
|30||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||30||5
|-
|[[2013 New England Revolution season|2013]]
|MLS
|33||4||0||0||2{{efn|name=MLS playoffs|Appearances in the [[MLS Cup playoffs]]}}||0||35||4
|-
|[[2014 New England Revolution season|2014]]
|MLS
|32||18||0||0||5{{efn|name=MLS playoffs}}||2||37||19
|-
|[[2015 New England Revolution season|2015]]
|MLS
|32||7||0||0||1{{efn|name=MLS playoffs}}||0||33||7
|-
|[[2016 New England Revolution season|2016]]
|MLS
|33||6||5||0||colspan="2"|—||38||6
|-
|[[2017 New England Revolution season|2017]]
|MLS
|31||11||2||0||colspan="2"|—||33||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!191!!51!!7!!0!!8!!2!!206!!52
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Los Angeles FC]]
|[[2018 Los Angeles FC season|2018]]
|MLS
|25||3||4||0||1{{efn|name=MLS playoffs}}||0||30||3
|-
|[[2019 Los Angeles FC season|2019]]
|MLS
|23||0||2||1||2{{efn|name=MLS playoffs}}||0||27||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!48!!3!!6!!1!!3!!0!!57!!4
|-
|[[Inter Miami CF]]
|[[2020 Inter Miami CF season|2020]]
|MLS
|5||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0
|-
|New England Revolution
|[[2020 New England Revolution season|2020]]
|MLS
|12||1||0||0||2{{efn|name=MLS playoffs}}||0||14||1
|-
|[[Ho Chi Minh City FC|Ho Chi Minh City]]
|[[2021 V.League 1|2021]]
|V.League 1||9
|5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||9||5
|-
|Ho Chi Minh City
|[[2022 V.League 1|2022]]
|V.League 1
||14||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||14||2
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!340!!73!!15!!5!!14!!2!!369!!79
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/22827/Lee_Nguyen.html |title=Lee Nguyen – National Football Teams profile |work=National Football Teams |access-date=September 5, 2021}}</ref>
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
|-
|2007||3||0
|-
|2014||1||0
|-
|2015||3||0
|-
|2016||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||9||0
|}

==Honors==
;PSV Eindhoven
*[[Eredivisie]]: [[2006–07 Eredivisie|2006–07]], [[2007–08 Eredivisie|2007–08]]
*[[Johan Cruijff Shield]]: [[2008 Johan Cruijff Schaal|2008]]

;Los Angeles FC
*[[Supporters' Shield]]: [[2019 Major League Soccer season|2019]]

;Individual
*[[Gatorade Player of the Year awards#Soccer|Gatorade High School Soccer Player of the Year]]: 2005
*[[MLS Best XI]]: [[2014 Major League Soccer season|2014]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links ==
* {{Soccerway|2404}}
* {{MLS player|lee-nguyen}}
* {{ESPN FC|101587<!-- /lee-nguyen -->}}
* [https://tst-stats.com/sports/msoc/2022-23/players/leenguyenjs1t The Soccer Tournament stats]

{{United States squad 2007 Copa América}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Gatorade National Soccer Player of the Year}}
{{2014 MLS Best XI}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Lee}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Vietnamese descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Richardson, Texas]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Texas]]
[[Category:American men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Indiana Hoosiers men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Ajax Orlando Prospects players]]
[[Category:PSV Eindhoven players]]
[[Category:Randers FC players]]
[[Category:Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC players]]
[[Category:Becamex Binh Duong FC players]]
[[Category:New England Revolution players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles FC players]]
[[Category:Inter Miami CF players]]
[[Category:Ho Chi Minh City FC players]]
[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:Danish Superliga players]]
[[Category:V.League 1 players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's youth international soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's under-20 international soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:2007 Copa América players]]
[[Category:American expatriate men's soccer players]]
[[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Vietnam]]
[[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Denmark]]
[[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Washington Spirit non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Kansas City Current non-playing staff]]