Mike Magee (soccer)

Michael Magee (born September 2, 1984) is a retired American soccer player who last played for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer as a forward. In the 2013 season with the Chicago Fire, Magee scored 21 goals and was named the MLS MVP.

Mike Magee
Magee with the LA Galaxy in 2010
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-09-02) September 2, 1984
Place of birth Elmhurst, Illinois, United States
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position(s) Second striker, Attacking midfielder
Youth career
2000–2001 IMG Soccer Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2008 New York Red Bulls[1] 130 (23)
2009–2013 LA Galaxy 105 (19)
2013–2015 Chicago Fire 51 (22)
2015 → Saint Louis FC (loan) 1 (0)
2016 LA Galaxy 30 (6)
Total 317 (70)
National team‡
2001 United States U17 3 (1)
2003 United States U20 2 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 11, 2016
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of September 23, 2012

Club career

MetroStars

Magee graduated from USSF's Bradenton Academy[2] he entered the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, where the MetroStars traded the previous year's third overall selection, Brad Davis, to acquire Magee with the fourth overall pick.[3]

With Metro coach Bob Bradley familiar with Magee from his youth soccer days, the youngster quickly stepped into the Metro lineup, and played every game of the 2003 season except the meaningless finale. He became the youngest player in team history to start a game and score a goal. He scored seven goals, nearing the rookie record, which included a couple of game-winning and game-tying efforts.

When the MetroStars signed a trio of foreign strikers before the 2004 season, Magee struggled for playing time early on. But he soon found a new niche as an attacking midfielder, as his skill on the ball, leadership, precise passing, and overall intelligence made him an important part of the Metro team. Magee ended up with three goals on the season, one of them in the 90th minute to give the Metros a 2-1 win over Los Angeles Galaxy. He scored five in 2005, adding five assists. Magee followed that with three goals in an injury-filled 2006. Magee's injury woes continued in 2007 as he was limited to 7 league matches. The 2008 season saw Magee receive significant playing time as an attacking midfielder, but it was apparent that he was not fully recovered from his injuries. He was then moved to his natural forward position and had a resurgence as he scored in 3 consecutive matches, helping the club to three straight wins. He ended the 2008 season scoring five key goals, helping the club reach the MLS Playoffs.

LA Galaxy

Magee was traded to Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2009 in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.[4] In his first season with Los Angeles, Magee appeared in 23 league matches scoring 2 goals. During the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs Magee started all 4 of the team's playoff matches scoring two goals in helping lead the club to the MLS Cup Final. At the MLS 2009 Cup Final Magee scored the Galaxy's only goal but the team ended up losing during an overtime penalty shoot out.

Magee made his first professional appearance as a goalkeeper on June 25, 2011, moving to the position in the 43rd minute of a match against San Jose Earthquakes, after starting goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was injured and reserve goalkeeper Josh Saunders received a red card for an elbow to the face of Steven Lenhart. Magee made 4 saves, including a late stop on a 1-v-1 against Lenhart, preserving a clean sheet for the Galaxy in a 0-0 draw.[5] It was the first time Magee had played in goal at any level of soccer.[6] Magee had his most productive season during the 2011 campaign scoring 10 goals in all competitions for the Galaxy including 3 in the MLS playoffs, helping the Galaxy to capture the 2011 MLS Cup.

Magee has become LA's "Mr. November" due to his repeated ability to deliver goals and in form clutch performances in the post-season, having scored 8 goals in his 15 playoff matches for the team.

Chicago Fire

On May 24, 2013, Magee was traded to Chicago Fire for the MLS rights to Robbie Rogers.[7] He made an immediate impact with the club, scoring 7 goals in his first 7 matches across all competitions. He won the June Player of the Month Award. The Fire missed the playoffs by three goals and Magee lost to Camilo Sanvezzo for the MLS Golden Boot. Camilo had 22 goals and 6 assists, while Magee had 21 goals and 4 assists. On November 20, Magee along with Robbie Keane and Marco Di Vaio, was nominated for the MVP Award. On December 5, he was named the MVP of MLS. Magee became the first Chicago Fire player ever to win the award.[8]

In September 2014, Magee underwent a right hip surgery to address an injury of the labrum and to repair articular surface damage. He would miss eight months due to recovery.[9] In May 2015, Magee was loaned to Chicago's USL affiliate, Saint Louis FC, to begin his on-field recovery from this injury.[10]

Return to LA Galaxy

On January 14, 2016, the Galaxy announced that Magee would return after he became a free-agent.[11]

International career

Magee has spent time with various U.S. youth national Teams. He played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates, scoring the game-winner against Paraguay.

In November 2013, Republic of Ireland national team captain Robbie Keane revealed that he would recommend Magee to Martin O'Neill as a possible call-up.[12]

Magee was called up by Jürgen Klinsmann for the 2014 January Camp. However, he was left out of the lineup on February 1 against South Korea due to food poisoning.[13]

Personal life

Magee spent some of his earliest years living in Elmhurst, Illinois before moving away, and has lived considerable time in South Barrington.[14] He played AYSO; one year, his team name was the "Green Slimers".

Magee and his wife, Kristen Pizzolato were married in 2012, had a daughter in 2010 and a son in 2015.[15]

Career statistics
As of July 24, 2016[16]
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Red Bulls 2003 MLS 2975020—367
2004 223----—223
2005 29510--—305
2006 1731010—193
2007 70----—70
2008 26510--—275
Los Angeles Galaxy 2009 2321042—284
2010 161--3010201
2011 2751143413610
2012 295105331389
2013 106000040146
Chicago Fire 2013 221543--—2618
2014 17731--—208
2015 12022--—142
Los Angeles Galaxy 2016 306203000356
Career total 3167022722812237287

Honors
Los Angeles Galaxy
Chicago Fire
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References
  1. the team was known as MetroStars prior to 2006
  2. Sutton, Alan (September 7, 2001). "Instead of playing high school soccer, Mike Magee, 17, is pursuing a professional dream at a Florida academy. A head start on his future". Chicago Tribune.
  3. "MetroStars Inject Eight New Exciting Players From 2003 SuperDraft - OurSports Central". www.oursportscentral.com.
  4. "New York Red Bulls trade Mike Magee to L.A. Galaxy".
  5. "Recap: Magee minds net for depleted Galaxy in scoreless Clásico draw". June 25, 2011.
  6. "Magee's debut in net gives Galaxy a confidence boost". June 26, 2011.
  7. Rivera, Guillermo (May 24, 2013). "Fire land Magee in trade for Rogers". Chicago Now. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  8. "Magee wins MLS MVP". chicago-fire.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  9. "NEWS: Forward Mike Magee Undergoes Season-Ending Hip Surgery". chicago-fire.com. September 9, 2014.
  10. "Chicago Fire Soccer Club Loans Two Players To Saint Louis FC". chicago-fire.com. May 29, 2015.
  11. "LA Galaxy sign forward Mike Magee". LA Galaxy. January 14, 2016.
  12. "Magee might take O'Neill call". Herald. November 22, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  13. "Chris Wondolowski lifts U.S. to victory". Associated Press. February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  14. Chicago Fire obtain Mike Magee from Galaxy - tribunedigital-chicagotribune Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  15. "Long Grove native thrilled to be playing soccer for Chicago Fire". July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  16. Mike Magee at Soccerway
  17. "Chicago Fire forward Mike Magee voted 2013 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player". mlssoccer.com. December 5, 2013.
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