Dogtown Youth Sessions: Lee Nguyen trades LAFC for VBFC
Lee Nguyen is one of the most creative and impactful midfielders in the MLS - and he's been that way for the last 5 years. This year he was brought in to LAFC to pull the strings in the midfield and be the creative visionary amongst the abundance of attacking talent at the Banc of California Stadium. Lee took some time out of his schedule to visit the world-famous Estadio and work with some of the local youth, who one day aspire to be in his shoes.
After becoming the nation's top talent in high school, and leaving Indiana University after just one semester, Nguyen began his professional career by signing a three-and-half-year deal with Dutch Eredivisie team PSV Eindhoven in February 2006. Nguyen then signed with the Danish Superliga club Randers FC in 2008, before playing with two clubs in his family's native Vietnam
After a few years in Vietnam, Lee moved back stateside and signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps, and eventually the New England Revolution. in 2014, Nguyen led the Revolution with 18 goals and 5 assists - which is the most ever by a midfielder in an MLS season -and was again voted team MVP. 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 forward Obafemi Martins and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane. Nguyen's goal against the Houston Dynamo also made it to the final round of voting for the 2014 version of the MLS Goal of the Year Award.
Lee spent the day answering questions, giving advice, and even playing games against the local VBFC Youth. the kids were awestruck to be on the same court as such a talent. There is massive excitement about one of the country's top attacking midfielders playing in LA, and the Venice youth will have another local role model for years to come.
