Photo by Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports

By CARL SETTERLUND

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Playing in your first U.S. Men’s National Team match in seven years might be enough to distract most players, but with his New England Revolution a step away from the MLS Cup Final, Lee Nguyen isn’t likely to lose focus.

A week after impressing in the U.S. team’s 2-1 loss to Colombia, Nguyen is back with the Revs, and ready for the upcoming Eastern Conference final series against the New York Red Bulls, which kicks off on Sunday.

Making his first U.S. appearance since 2007, Nguyen made the most of his call-up, turning heads in a 12-minute cameo.

“It was a great feeling to be back wearing those red, white and blue colors again,” said Nguyen, who returned to the Revs this week. “I’m very thankful to have that chance to be part of that again.”

He only played 12 minutes, subbing on for Mix Diskerud, but Nguyen’s sublime heel flick to set up a Bobby Wood chance in the 81st minute was easily one of the best creative moments for the USMNT.

“It was exciting, anxious, all the feelings that you have when you first step onto a pitch again,” Nguyen said. “But basically just wanted to go out there and try to make a difference.”

Nguyen made enough of an impression in camp to have Klinsmann tell him he will see him in January’s U.S. camp, and he certainly did well enough to impress teammates.

“We see him again, I think so, in the national team,” Jermaine Jones told SBI at Revs training on Thursday. “What he was doing there – like in training and in the game when he comes in – was good.”

“I think you’re going to see Lee in a U.S.A. jersey a little bit more,” said Revs coach Jay Heaps, who called Nguyen’s cap “very well deserved.” (As a side note, Nguyen’s first USMNT cup of coffee came two years before his 38-year-old coach debuted for the stars and stripes in 2009.)

With his latest national team experience behind him, Nguyen can refocus on New England’s quest for its first MLS Cup title. A journey that will take the Revs to Red Bull Arena this weekend to face a Red Bulls team that won the previous two meetings between these teams.

“I think we’re more experienced, we’re more cohesive,” said Nguyen, reflecting on the Revs’ development since the two teams last met, a Red Bulls victory on Aug. 2. “Our shape is a lot better now and I think we’re a lot more confident going forward. At the same time, I think we feel like we can withstand any team right now. If we needed to play a tight game, I think we can do that now.”

Since that 2-1 loss to the Red Bulls back in August, the Revs have gone 11-1-2 to join the league’s marquee franchises — the Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, and LA Galaxy — in a compelling final four.

Part of the difference has been the acquisition of Jones, whom the Revs signed two games into their current hot streak. Jones has boosted the Revs on the field, and only improved their camaraderie.

Nguyen might be even more important, though, having scored in each of the Revs last six games. He has either a goal or an assist in 12 of the 14 games since the August loss to the Red Bulls.

Some of the credit for Nguyen’s most recent successes should go to Jones, certainly. He’s kept defenses honest in their game plan against Nguyen, and even if he doesn’t receive an assist, Jones has often factored into the buildup on the Revolution’s late-season goals.

But Nguyen’s success across the entire season can stand on its own, and a look at the numbers reveals why Nguyen was named one of the three finalists for the MLS Most Valuable Player award on Tuesday, beating out the Red Bulls’ Bradley Wright-Phillips (and his 27 goals) for a nomination.

Nguyen finished fourth in MLS in regular season goals (18), but was the top American-born scorer, beating out the Galaxy’s Gyasi Zardes by two goals and the Sounders’ Clint Dempsey by three.

Although scoreless against the Red Bulls this season, Nguyen did tally down in Harrison, N.J. in October 2013. If the Revs can secure three points down at Red Bull Arena, where they traditionally haven’t had much success, there’s more than a 50 percent chance the winner will come from Nguyen.

“It’s a tough place to get result,” Nguyen said, “But it’s a two-legged series, so I think the main thing with this system is, we go into New York, we have to get a result.”

“Regardless, win, tie, I think that’s the main thing. Getting a result, knowing that you’re going to have a chance in the second leg. So big game come Sunday.”