CARSON, Calif. -- Down a goal in their Knockout Round match to Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Galaxy needed a goal to save their season -- enter Mike Magee.
In the 69th minute, David Beckham played a short corner into Juninho, who launched a cross into the box that found the right foot of Magee, whose volley found the back of the Vancouver net. Just four minutes later, Landon Donovan put LA up for good after a foul in the box by Vancouver's Martin Bonjour led to a penalty gave LA their second and final goal of the night.
Although Magee's postseason success is becoming a regular occurrence for the Galaxy -- his goal was his fourth goal in five postseason games -- the Galaxy attacker can't seem to pinpoint the reason for his success, but what he can explain, is the heightened intensity that the MLS Cup Playoffs bring.
"I feel it," said Magee. "I’m so much more nervous for these games than I am any other, but just as a team, we battle as a team, and I’ve kind of been the beneficiary goal-wise the last two years, but this team keeps battling away. Being down a goal, we had to push and tonight it was my turn."
Magee's teammates Beckham, Donovan, and head coach Bruce Arena discuss his goal below...
DONOVAN: "He’s a type of player that shines in moments like this. There’s something special about players like that, a lot of guys do it when games don't matter or they'll score the third goal in a three to nothing win that don't matter, but Mike
scores goals that matter. He’s done it consistently since he’s been here."
BECKHAM: "That’s what Mike does. He gets in positions – he’s a clever player, he’s a really intelligent player, and we were putting a lot of balls in the six yard box, and I saw Juninho for the short corner and obviously he put it in a position right just at the penalty spot, and Mike was there."
ARENA: "Great goal, obviously an important goal. We're real pleased with the result; not an easy game."
