Even the coach who cut him says he can be an All-Star.
Lee Nguyen's potential path to this summer's showcase in Philadelphia started with two goals and an assist against his former club in a 4-1 New England Revolution victory over Vancouver on Saturday night, earning him the MLS Player of the Week award as voted on by the North American Soccer Reporters for Week 10 (see who and how the media voted here).
The honor also snapped a dry spell for the Revs that dates back beyond the 2011 season, when the Revs struggled in the standings and failed to win the award at all. The last New England player to claim the award came in Week 2 of 2010 (Kenny Mansally).
Nguyen scored a 6th minute equalizer, he assisted on the go-ahead goal and then he put the bow on an exceptional performance with a stunning volley that's a nominee for the AT&T Goal of the Week. The goals were his first in MLS since arriving from the Vietnamese league during the offseason.
The stellar showing also came against the club that cut him on March 1, after the Whitecaps had landed his services in a player lottery. The Texas native was later picked up by the New England Revolution on waivers and he faced his former club for the first time at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
"He’s found a great home in New England," Vancouver manager Martin Rennie said following the match. "I’m happy he’s doing well – obviously, I’d rather that not have been against us – but if he continues to do that, he’ll be an All-Star by the end of the season.”
2012 MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Week 10: Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution)
Week 9: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 8: Steven Lenhart (San Jose Earthquakes)
Week 7: Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
Week 6: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)
Week 5: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 4: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 3: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Week 2: David Estrada (Seattle Sounders)
Week 1: Kalif Alhassan (Portland Timbers)
WATCH: Nguyen shines for New England
