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The New England Revolution held their first training session of 2018, but Lee Nguyen, one of the team’s marquee players, was absent. A source told The Bent Musket that Nguyen is looking to be traded.
Source: Lee Nguyen is still looking to be traded and isn’t currently with the #NERevs as they open preseason. Nguyen has a strong desire to go elsewhere
— Seth (@SethMan31) January 23, 2018
Nguyen, 31, has been with the Revolution since 2012 after he was added via a waiver draft. The attacking midfielder has been sensational in MLS, collecting 51 goals and 49 assists in 191 appearances. In 2017, he had 11 goals and 15 helpers.
Nguyen has a desire to move away Foxboro, but doesn’t have any particular destination in mind. The request has nothing to do with new coach Brad Friedel, according to a source.
On Tuesday, MLSSoccer.com’s Jonathan Sigal asked general manager Michael Burns for an update, to which he replied, “Lee didn’t report to preseason and he’s not honoring his contract. We’ll handle the matter internally, and we’ve already had discussions with MLS. It’ll be handled appropriately. We have zero tolerance for guys who don’t honor their contracts.”
Friedel, who told MLSSoccer.com less than a week ago that Nguyen wasn’t going to be traded, was tight-lipped about the situation.
“You’ll have to ask Lee,” Friedel responded when asked about Nguyen’s whereabouts.
Nguyen has a guaranteed contract in 2018 with club options in 2019 and 2020.