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Lee Nguyen Open to Returning to Vietnam

Lee Nguyen spoke to the Vietnamese media about returning to the V-League.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

We've heard rumors of Lee Nguyen leaving the New England Revolution to rejoin the V-League (Vietnam). According to the midfielder, those rumors aren't completely out of the realm of possibility.

While visiting Vietnam, Nguyen spoke to media about his career. The 29-year-old stated that he enjoyed playing against Thierry Henry, wished he had an MLS Cup, and regrets not playing for the Vietnamese National Team. He also said he was open to returning to the V-League.

"Back Vietnam competition is always my choice," Nguyen said according to an online translation. "Here I had the wonderful experience. I never closed the door back to Vietnam in the match. The representatives of all I was doing before the relationship in Vietnam. Currently, I just want to rest and when to back US I discussed this."

Nguyen spent two seasons in Vietnam, playing for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai before joining Becamex Bình Dương. Nguyen headed to the United States in 2012, abandoning his celebrity lifestyle in hopes of making a splash with the US Men's National Team.

Although returning to Vietnam is a possibility, it isn't likely at this point. Several Vietnamese news outlets have pointed out that there would be issues in regards to salary and a transfer fee.

Nguyen signed his second contract with the Revolution in 2014, which became a point of contention after the midfielder contributed an MVP-caliber season. Nguyen even expressed his unhappiness to local media.

"I was obviously unhappy with the contract situation," Nguyen told NE Soccer Today in May 2015. "It’s just frustrating, and I just feel a little disrespected."

Nguyen would quell the contract talk as the season went on, focusing more on his on-field product. He ultimately ended the year with seven goals and ten assists.