Mike Magee couldn’t believe his eyes when he turned on his phone on Thursday after the announcement of his return to the LA Galaxy.
“What a dream come true,” tweeted one Galaxy supporter while a Chicago fan stated “We’ll miss our hometown hero.”
The messages were overwhelming as supporters on both sides wished the 2013 MLS Most Valuable Player well ahead of his homecoming with the Galaxy. Magee rejoins the club after two-and-a-half seasons with the Fire, which were preceded by nearly five years in Los Angeles.
“The amount of love that I’ve gotten from the Fire fans is great. We’ve had a lot special times together and it won’t be forgotten. And the reception that I’ve received from Galaxy fans is remarkable,” Magee told LAGalaxy.com. “I tried to turn off my phone so that I wouldn’t see what people were saying, but obviously, that’s impossible.
“I’ve been reaching out to the Supporters’ Groups and it’s just an incredible feeling. When you leave, you’re not sure how you’ll be received but it’s been incredible and it’s motivated me that much more.”
Despite all the fan support, Magee is well-aware that he’ll have plenty of work to do if he’s to reclaim the remarkable form that made him the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2013. After winning the award, Magee endured a pair of injury-riddled seasons that saw his production dip from seven goals in 2014 to his first goalless season in nearly a decade, a year ago.
The Galaxy may not be as dependent on Magee’s production as the Fire were a year ago, but the 31-year-old is determined to get back to his best.
“I know that there are skeptics out there. There are people who say that I’m overrated or injured or broken or old. Maybe they’re right, who knows? But maybe they’re wrong,” Magee said. “I can answer that question and talk and make promises all I want, but the bottom line is that people are going to watch me come March. I think how I work and how I play from today until March 6 will answer that question.”
If Magee can start finding the back of the net with regularity again, expect the accolades— and the well wishes— to flow once again for the popular forward.
“When you’re with the Galaxy, you expect to win the [MLS Cup] every year and every time that you don’t the pressure gets multiplied, with this team as strong as it is,” Magee said. “We have players who are world class and knowing Bruce as well as I do, he doesn’t make the same mistake twice.
“I’d imagine that he’s adding more guys because his teams always have great depth and superstars, and he’ll find a way to win.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
