TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Trade
The Primary Transfer Window came to a blockbuster close, with New England Revolution playmaker Lee Nguyen heading to LAFC for at least $350,000 in General Allocation Money and $350,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. The Revolution could ultimately receive $950,000 in allocation money as well as LAFC's natural first-round pick in 2019 or 2020 MLS SuperDraft.
ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported on Wednesday morning that the Revs received bigger offers with more guaranteed allocation money from Eastern Conference teams, but were hesitant to trade the midfielder within their own conference.
Citing a league source, Carlisle also noted that New England are unlikely to receive the conditional further considerations included in the transaction, which he says also includes clauses that would reap additional assets for the Revs should LAFC trade Nguyen this summer or sign him to a new and improved contract.
🚨TRADE ALERT🚨: #NERevs have traded midfielder Lee Nguyen to @LAFC for up to 950k in allocation money.
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 2, 2018
Complete details ⬇️https://t.co/7jucOOlmZGpic.twitter.com/fwITJya0Zb
The 31-year-old midfielder requested a trade in the offseason, reported late to training camp and eventually returned only to find himself supplanted as No. 10 by Diego Fagundez. Nguyen had yet to figure into an 18-man roster for first-year Revs head coach Brad Friedel.
“On behalf of the club, I'd like to thank Lee for his years of service," said Revolution GM Michael Burns in a team statement. "Every decision is made in the best interest of the club, and we feel this move helps strengthen our team now and puts us in the best position to succeed in years to come."
Last season, Nguyen put up 11 goals and 15 assists, his third straight campaign with double-digit assists. Overall, he's logged 51 goals and 49 assists in six MLS seasons, all with New England.
The Texas native leaves his mark on the club’s record book, as Nguyen ranks second all-time in goals, assists, and shots. He is one of two Revolution players with at least 40 goals and 40 assists, and also leads New England in all-time penalty kick goals with 16. His impressive 2014 campaign, which featured 20 goals including the MLS Cup Playoffs, earned him Team MVP honors and a finalist nod for the MLS MVP Award.
