CARSON, Calif. – Mike Magee played every minute of his 14-years in Major League Soccer on his terms, and when the time came to step away from the game, he stayed faithful to that spirit by finishing it the only way that he ever wanted.
As a member of the LA Galaxy.
Magee announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending an incredible career that saw him start at the age of 17 with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. The Chicago native walks away with one of the most accomplished tenures in Major League Soccer history tallying 70 goals and 38 assists in 316 appearances, winning two MLS Cup trophies, two Supporters’ Shields, and an MLS Most Valuable Player award.
Despite being just 32 and making 38 appearances across all competitions in 2016 for the Galaxy, Magee knew that the time was right to move on.
“I knew that I wanted to spend my last year with the Galaxy. The Galaxy have an incredible place in my heart. I’m so happy that they took me back and although the last year wasn’t up to the Galaxy’s standards or my standards with how it ended, it was perfect otherwise,” Magee told LA Galaxy Insider. “Sometimes you know mentally, and I’ve only played this game one way my entire life. When other people took time off or had any other offseason plans, I kept playing. I went to my old club [in Chicago] and played every day of my life.
“I only played the game one way, I played to win and fight, and I think over the last period of time, I realized that I was playing the game for a different reason. As soon as I realized that, it made it simple for me.”
Magee’s tenacity and willingness to do anything for victory is central to his legacy as one of Major League Soccer’s most clutch postseason performers. Christened “Mr. November,” Magee scored eight goals in just 17 MLS Cup Playoffs appearances and was a major contributor to the Galaxy’s back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2011 and 2012.
The striker’s success continued a year later when he returned to his hometown Chicago Fire where he scored a career-high 21 goals en route to being named the league’s Most Valuable Player. Throughout the past eight years, Magee transformed himself from journeyman player to club legend, but according to the 32-year-old, all of the glory, and all of the memories were very nearly never to be.
“The day that I signed with the Galaxy in 2009, I was thinking of retiring. Actually, I was retired for three days before Bruce Arena called me. That changed the course of my life,” Magee recalled. “Winning MLS Cups was the biggest thing in my career, and Frank Klopas bringing me back to Chicago, however, briefly gave me everything that I needed at the time. That 2013 season will always be special to me. But winning an MLS Cup was incredible, it was more of a relief the first time and then to win it again and enjoy it the right way was pretty amazing.
"I’ll be thinking about those memories for the next 70 years.”
However, Magee’s career won’t just be judged on goals or trophies but his friendly nature that made him a fan favorite league-wide and a cult hero for each team that he played for. Few players in MLS capitalized on social media like Magee who formed a unique bond with fans through his clever tweets or even his acting in his famed “Magee’s Day Off” skit.
Although the memories of his times with the supporters of New York and Chicago will always be dear to the forward, Magee admits that the Galaxy faithful will always have the most special place in his heart.
“When talking about the Galaxy fans, I’m fighting emotions back because of what they did for me and how they made me feel, is life changing. I’m going to keep it going and support everyone that I loved. This game gave me so much, and I doubt that I can reciprocate, but I’m going to try,” Magee admitted candidly. “Whatever I meant to them, you can trust that they meant ten-fold to me. It’s cliché to say, but I’m at a loss for words. My first stint with the Galaxy was borrowed time, and I didn’t know where my life was going. Everything I have is basically because of the love they expressed to me.”
“It’s genuinely hard to put into words my love for those fans. It’s not cliché; it’s not forced on me. It’s really hard. I plan to do my best to get out to as many games and try to express to each one of them, have some beers and laugh.”
Despite hanging up his boots for one final time, he expects to keep a keen eye on the Galaxy’s 2017 campaign. The faces on the field will certainly be different with new head coach Curt Onalfo taking over for the departed Arena, but Magee has faith in the club’s brain trust to put the team on a course to a sixth MLS Cup title.
“Teams are always changing. It’s obviously the end of an era, but I’m not going to worry about the LA Galaxy,” Magee said. “This is a club that does things the right way and surrounds itself with the right people. Change is always a little bit scary, but I’m not worried about the LA Galaxy one bit.”
Where life takes the midfielder now remains to be seen. Magee intends to return his native Chicago with his family as he decides his next step, be it in soccer or another professional.
No matter where life takes him or how his career is judged, the memories of the last 14 years will stick with him forever.
“I feel like I’m the luckiest dude in the world and I have so many people to thank for that," Magee said. "It starts back to when I started playing when I was four to now, and I’m so thankful for everything that everyone has done for me.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
