Mike Magee

LA Galaxy's 'Mr. November' and 2013 MLS MVP

Michael Magee (born September 2, 1984) is an American former 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.

Quick Facts

Born: 2 September 1984
Birthplace: Elmhurst, Illinois, United States
Position: Second striker, Attacking midfielder
Total caps: 317
Total goals: 70

Lore & Background

Magee was traded to Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2009 in exchange for a 2nd round pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. 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. It was the first time Magee had played in goal at any level of soccer. 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.

Reader's Guide

Magee was traded to Chicago Fire on May 24, 2013, for the MLS rights to Robbie Rogers. 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. 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. In May 2015, Magee was loaned to Chicago's USL affiliate, Saint Louis FC, to begin his on-field recovery from this injury. On January 14, 2016, the Galaxy announced that Magee would return after he became a free-agent.