The MLS opened May with a blockbuster, as the New England Revolution sent former MVP finalist Lee Nguyen to LAFC for $700,000 in allocation money.
The deal, made at the transfer deadline, not only bodes well for the player and clubs involved, who appear to have gotten what they needed. It’s poised to impact people who have been considering Nguyen for their MLS fantasy soccer teams. The repercussions could also influence fantasy watchers who’ve had their eyes on other players with New England and LAFC.
A win-win trade
Nguyen joined LAFC after months of uncertainty on his former club. Despite racking up records over six seasons with New England, the playmaking midfielder requested a trade in the off-season. He was left off the gameday roster for the Revolution’s first eight games.
Now that Nguyen’s gotten his wish, he’s bound to fill two of his new club’s needs. LAFC needed another productive player for its yet-unfilled 30-man roster; they now also have a dynamic attacker to build on their surprising record.
New England, in turn, gets cash plus extra cap space. These can prove handy if they decide to acquire new players once the transfer window opens again in July.
The 31-year-old Nguyen was an MVP candidate in 2014, when he tallied 18 goals and 5 assists for the Revolution – a season record for any MLS midfielder. His production since has hardly dropped off: from 2014 to 2017, his total combined goals and assists have been fifth-best in the league.
A boost for fantasy MLS?
To date, Nguyen has notched 54 goals and 56 assists over 211 league and cup appearances. There’s no indication he can’t keep adding to these numbers and become an asset to both LAFC and MLS fantasy soccer club owners.
First, the change of scenery from New England to Los Angeles might rejuvenate his play. Second, joining LAFC reunites him with manager Bob Bradley, whom he played for as a member of the U.S. team at Copa American in 2007. Theirs may prove to be a productive partnership, with Bradley maximizing Nguyen’s top strengths – dribbling, pace, creativity, and vision – for LAFC’s attacking line.
A domino effect
Nguyen’s are not the only stats fantasy soccer club owners should be watching after this trade. The transfer can impact players on both the Revolution and LAFC.
Diego Fagundez, the young No. 10 who essentially replaced Nguyen this season, might see his numbers shoot up now that he is no longer in the veteran’s shadow. But New England might also acquire more new players, causing ripples throughout their roster and many more fantasy MLS rosters lineups.
LAFC has also brought in other players at the deadline: forward Adama Diomande and midfielder Andre Horta. How would their numbers fare, playing for a new team alongside Nguyen? Would they be valuable pickups for fantasy clubs as well? And what of Benny Feilhaber, now of LAFC, who never put up impressive numbers when he ang Nguyen were teammates on the Revolution?
Whatever the answers to these questions, coming player movement in MLS fantasy soccer might prove as interesting as this blockbuster.
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