Jay Heaps, who entering his first season as the head coach of the New England Revolution, wanted Lee Nguyen when he came to MLS in 2012. It didn’t initially happen, but a “lucky, lucky break” soon saw Nguyen land in New England.
Heaps was still a player when he first learned about Nguyen from his road trip roommate Pat Noonan. Nguyen was tearing it up as a freshman at Noonan’s alma mater Indiana University. The creative midfielder collected all sorts of accolades in a season where he topped the Big Ten in assists with 12.
Nguyen left Indiana after one season, but Heaps kept tabs on him during his stints with PSV Eindhoven (2006-08), Randers (2008-09), Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (2009-10), and Becamex Bình Du01b0u01a1ng (2010-11).