CARSON, Calif. – I love Mike Magee, and chances are, if you’re reading this you do too.
A great soccer player and even better person, covering Magee’s career was one of the distinct pleasures of my professional career. Always a class act both on and off the field, Magee’s kindness, and quick wit made him a favorite for fans and media memories alike.
Just take a gander at the outpouring of support from across the soccer world, and you can see how much Magee meant to those across American soccer. When I spoke to the club legend for a recent story for LAGalaxy.com, I asked Magee how he preferred his 14-year career was remembered, and in true Magee fashion, he remained humble and admitted that he’d allow others to reach a conclusion.
“I have no idea. I guess, as a guy that when it mattered most, you could count on me,” Magee told LA Galaxy Insider. “I prefer for other people to answer that. Since I was a kid, it was what I was taught from my family especially from my club team the Chicago Sockers, I might not be able to juggle a hundred times in a row, I never did a step over in my career, but when things got really hard, I really enjoyed those moments. Other people can finish that sentence for me.”
In honor of Magee’s retirement, I look back at my four favorite Mike Magee moments from his time with the LA Galaxy.
MIKE’S RETURN
Mike Magee made his return to the LA Galaxy after a two-year absence a memorable one with a brace in his 2016 debut.
Magee notched two goals and one assist for the Galaxy in their 4-1 win over D.C. United in April 2016. After rejoining the club as a free agent, Magee looked like he never left as he appeared in sync with his teammates en route to helping the Galaxy start their 2016 campaign with a convincing victory.
The season didn’t end with a championship, but for that night Magee’s magic was back at StubHub Center.
“MR. NOVEMBER” SENDS THE LA GALAXY TO MLS CUP 2011
There would be no 2011 MLS Cup title without Mike Magee.
Magee set the postseason a light in 2011 with goals in each of the club’s three playoff games, officially earning the nickname: “Mr. November.” Given Magee’s success, it was only fitting that he scored the game-winning goal in the 2011 Western Conference Championship Game to put the Galaxy through to the final.
After coming up short the previous two years, the Galaxy finally broke through and lifted their third MLS Cup title weeks later, to a great part, thanks to Magee’s heroics.
THE GALAXY’S GREATEST GOALKEEPER
Mike Magee won two MLS Cups and was named MLS MVP, but his career will forever be defined by the moment that he donned an LA Galaxy goalkeeper jersey in a memorable encounter with the San Jose Earthquakes.
After an injury to Donovan Ricketts and a red card to Josh Saunders saw the Galaxy without a goalkeeper, Magee jumped in net and helped the Galaxy keep a shutout against the hated Earthquakes in June 2011. Despite little experience in goal, Magee was fantastic as he made three saves to help Los Angeles earn a road point.
Although Magee may no longer don the Galaxy jersey, his exploits in goal will always have a place in club lore.
MAGEE PUTS THE GOONIES TO THE SWORD
Magee’s stint in goal may get all the headlines, but there was no moment in his tenure with the LA Galaxy more memorable for this reporter than his efforts against San Jose in the decisive of match of the 2012 Western Conference Semifinals.
It’s no secret that game has always ranked high on my list of favorite Galaxy memories through the year and Magee’s tally in the 38th minute of their 3-1 victory is a significant part of that. After the Galaxy jumped a two-goal lead that put them ahead by one on aggregate, Magee officially put the Earthquakes away with a sharp little finish into the back of the net that sealed the victory.
Magee would go on to score again in the Galaxy’s Western Conference championship triumph over Seattle Sounders FC days later to put Los Angeles on a path toward another MLS Cup title.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
