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MLS Ticker: Nguyen signs Revs extension; Timbers part ways with Silvestre; and more

Lee Nguyen

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

After bouncing around from club to club, Lee Nguyen has found a home with the New England Revolution.

The veteran midfielder signed a contract extension with the Revolution on Tuesday as he heads into his third season with the club. Playing along side Kelyn Rowe and Diego Fagundez in an attacking midfield trio, Nguyen finished last season with four goals and seven assists as the Revolution made the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

“We’re pleased we were able to reach a new agreement with Lee,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said in a statement. “He’s been an important player for us the past two seasons on and off the field, and we believe he’ll continue being a key contributor moving forward.”

The 27-year-old Indiana University product played for PSV Eindhoven, Randers FC, and two clubs in Vietnam before returning to the U.S. in 2012. He was originally signed by the Vancouver Whitecaps in a weighted lottery but he was picked up off of waivers by the Revolution in March 2012. Nguyen has nine goals and nine assists in the last two seasons combined.

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SILVESTRE, TIMBERS PART WAYS

Following a disappointing season that ended in May with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the Portland Timbers and Mikael Silvestre have mutually agreed to head in different directions.

The club announced on Monday evening that they have parted ways with the former French international, who made eight appearances for the Timbers last season before suffering the season-ending injury. Though he didn’t announce his retirement, Silvestre stated in the club’s press release that he planned on remaining in Portland.

Silvestre recently tweeted that he received his USSF B license, perhaps foreshadowing a future in coaching.

“I loved my time with the Timbers,” Silvestre said in a statement. “My family and I have enjoyed our time in Oregon and we plan to stay here for the foreseeable future. I am excited to stay and seek other opportunities. The fans here have created one of the strongest fan bases I have seen in my career. I would like to thank them for their undying support, they have made my experience here unforgettable. For the Timbers, the squad has momentum after a strong finish last year and I wish them the best for the coming season.”

KOCIC RETIRES, OPENS GOALKEEPING ACADEMY

At 28-years of age, Milos Kocic has decided to call time on his career to focus on a new calling.

The former Toronto FC, D.C. United, and Portland Timbers goalkeeper announced that he would be opening up a goalkeeping school in Toronto for children. Kocic said he decided to retire so young due to family reasons.

“Milos decided to pass his goalkeeping knowledge to the younger generations and to teach them how to become successful goalkeepers,” read a statement on his new goalkeeping academy website.

Kocic ends his MLS career with 43 games played in five seasons, with a majority of those coming in a 27-start season with TFC in 2012.

SIMMS HANGS UP HIS BOOTS 

Following an injury-riddled season, 31-year-old midfielder Clyde Simms has decided to retire fro professional soccer.

The former D.C. United and New England Revolution player announced his decision on Monday over social media channels, ending a ten-year professional career.

I have been extremely blessed to play this sport, which I love, professionally for the last decade,” Simms wrote on his Instagram account. “It has taught me so many lessons, the most important being that dreams can, and do, come true. You just have to stick with them, believe, and put in the work required.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me on and off the field– my family, my friends, my teammates, and of course, the fans. You have made this time in my life something that I’ll never forget, and for that, I am so grateful!”

Simms, who has one U.S. Men’s National Team cap to his name, began his career out of East Carolina University with the Richmond Kickers in 2004. Following a strong season in Virginia, he was signed by D.C. United, where he remained until 2012. The Revolution picked up the defensive midfielder in the second stage of the MLS Re-Entry Draft and he remained a solid player through this season.

Simms finishes his MLS career with 226 total games played and four goals scored.

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What do you think of this news? Do you see Nguyen continuing to be the Revolution’s playmaker going forward? Do you expect Silvestre to join the Timbers coaching staff? What are your favorite memories of Simms’ career?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’m glad the point was made that Kocic was opening a goalkeeping school for children. For a second there I thought the school was for senior citizens.

    Reply
      • I’m happy with that as well. Joe is doing alright up there with you guys! Hoping Milos’ school does well, so he can give the triplets a good life. We enjoyed having them in Portland.

      • Portland fans are happy to see Bendik doing well in Toronto and appreciative of what Milos was able to bring. Hope they both see incredible success in their respective ventures.

  2. Looking forward to the Revs this year. Fagundez, Rowe, and Nguyen provide a great creative trio. Forward remains a mystery due to injury and transfer. Defense is solid. They should definitely make the playoffs and hopefully advance.

    Reply
    • Not trying to be snarky or sarcastic, but is there an update with Goncalves that I missed? If Goncalves is happy and playing, I agree, NE has a solid defense. If Goncalves goes Camilo on you, though, you have some serious question marks.

      Reply
  3. Simms always has been a gem. As I recall, he “burst” on the scene as a USMNT replacement player during a brief labor dispute and parlayed that visibility into his contract with DCUnited.

    Reply
    • Yep, the labor dispute was resolved part way through the camp. When the real team came in (Not just regular USMNT players denied call-ups, but all MLS players did, so it was all 2nd and 3rd division players), all of the lower tier guys were sent home, except for Simms. He stayed with teh team through teh whole camp (I can’t remeber if that is when he got his cap, or if that came later). He signed with DC after that.

      Reply

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