Klinsmann: Lee Nguyen 'Deserves' To Be With US Men's National Team
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Revolution are set to face the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, November 23 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals, now just over a week away.
But the MLS postseason is currently on pause because the U.S. Men's National Team is overseas participating in a pair of friendlies -- 11/14 against Colombia at Craven Cottage in London and 11/18 in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland.
Two Revs stars made the final 25: World Cup hero Jermaine Jones (47 appearances) and midfielder Lee Nguyen, definitely the more surprising of the two call-ups.
The 28-year-old Nguyen last appeared with the national team in 2007 with a trio of substitute appearances, and hasn't been invited back since.
But now seven years later, Nguyen is having an MLS MVP-worthy season. He's top five in goals scored and led the league in game-winners during the regular season.
His stellar campaign clearly caught the eye of U.S. Men's coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who told ESPN's Jeff Carlisle earlier this week that Nguyen absolutely deserves to be with the team.
"[Nguyen] deserves to be into this group now. He had a tremendous season so far. Hopefully he finishes it off on the highest note possible," said Klinsmann. "Obviously we watched him throughout the whole year and he was very consistent. He was very hungry, very hungry for goals. He got himself in the right spot at the right time. He was also very aggressive against the ball, not only when he had the ball."
Klinsmann adds, "I told him on the phone you deserve to come in and be a part of this group here. We're looking forward to having him in our group the first time."
The MLS MVP is yet to be determined, but it's clear Nguyen is the leader in the room as far as the Revolution's Most Valuable. The Revs are 16-1-2 when Nguyen records a goal or an assist this season.
Nguyen added two more goals in New England's Eastern Conference Semifinals win over the Columbus Crew, making him the first Revolution player to score 20 or more goals in a year since Taylor Twellman scored 23 goals in 2007.
As Nguyen goes, so goes the Revs.
Jermaine Jones' impact to the Revolution can't be overstated either.
Since joining the Revolution on August 24, New England boasts a 10-1-1 record with Jones in the lineup.
"Since Jermaine has been here we've lost only one game. He's incredibly fun to watch. He's made the whole team better," team owner Jonathan Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub. "He's allowed Lee Nguyen — who we're so lucky to have on our team — I think he's really allowed Lee Nguyen to show everything that he can do, both offensively and defensively. It's really helped solidify us."
MORE SPORTS FROM CBS BOSTON
