How is the once-famous overseas Vietnamese footballer Lee Nguyễn doing now?

No longer playing professionally, Lee Nguyễn still persistently pursues football as an assistant coach for the Seattle Reign FC women's team at 39 years old.

At 39, Lee Nguyễn no longer appears on the field as a player, but his football journey continues quietly and steadily. Instead of being in the spotlight, he chooses to stand on the sidelines, patiently opening a new chapter in his coaching career.

Vietnamese football fans once witnessed Lee Nguyễn wear the jersey of the Ho Chi Minh City Club during the 2021 season, a unique period when the V-League was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That was also his last professional season before officially announcing his retirement in February 2022, closing nearly two decades of his playing career.

After hanging up his boots, Lee Nguyễn quickly shifted to coaching and chose women's football as his new focus. He currently serves as an assistant coach at Seattle Reign FC – one of the most storied clubs in the NWSL (the top women's league in the U.S.). This environment is seen as ideal for him to apply the experience gained from his high-level playing career.

Lee Nguyễn joined Seattle Reign exactly one year ago and is now preparing with the team for the 2026 season, aiming to advance further. Last season, Seattle Reign was eliminated in the quarterfinals, and the coaching staff is working to elevate the team both tactically and in squad depth.

On his personal social media, Lee Nguyễn frequently shares glimpses of his daily life intertwined with coaching duties. Before joining Seattle Reign, he spent four seasons in the NWSL as an assistant coach at Angel City FC, Kansas City Current, and notably Washington Spirit during 2021–2022, where he helped the team win the 2021 NWSL Championship.

Holding a USSF B coaching license, Lee Nguyễn is highly regarded for his ability to develop players, backed by a 17-year professional playing career. Before retiring, he appeared in over 250 MLS matches, played for renowned clubs like New England Revolution, LAFC, and Inter Miami, won the 2019 Supporters’ Shield, and earned 9 caps for the U.S. national team, alongside experience competing in Europe and Vietnam.