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Goal.commentary: Magee Making Present Felt
It's been a bumpy road for New York Red Bulls striker Mike Magee, but now he's finally healthy and contributing in ways he hasn't in years, according to Goal.com staff writer Chris Celletti
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Sep 24, 2008 7:48:34 PM
By Chris Celletti
It is very rare in professional sports that a twenty-four year old is the longest tenured player on his or her team. Yet that is exactly what Mike Magee is to the New York Red Bulls. On a franchise that can be identified by its turnover (does eleven managers in thirteen seasons say anything?) Magee has been one constant throughout a whirlwind of change.
Drafted in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft at fourth overall by the then-Metrostars, Magee became a viable and versatile option.After enjoying his first three seasons as a consistent starter and contributor, Magee’s career took a big hit as he was riddled by the injury bug. In the 2006 season, he played in only 17 games, starting just nine. His three goals and one assist was his lowest point total output in a single season.
Ready for a bounce-back year in 2007, Magee would have to wait. He tore his MCL in January of 2007, setting him back and crushing any chance of having an impact on the Red Bulls’ season. He played in just seven matches, totaling 140 minutes and did not register a point.
Once a young player with great promise and early career success, Magee quickly became an afterthought to Red Bulls’ fans.
Yet with the 2008 season looming and a new regime in place with the club, an opportunity arose. With the team lacking creativity in midfield, and Magee healthy, manager Juan Carlos Osorio saw Magee as a option in an attacking midfield role. While Magee did not exactly flourish in the role early on, it seemed important for him to get back on the field with some consistency. Then finally on April 27th, Magee found the back of the net for the first time since July 22nd of the 2006 campaign. Magee knows being and staying healthy is key.
“The biggest difference has been fitness, and my health problems over the past two years,” said Magee. “With the health problems came some mental issues and a lack of confidence.”
Unfortunately, even though Magee was healthy, his contributions remained minimal in the 2008 season. Still with only his lone goal against San Jose back in April, Magee found a tough time finding any consistent form. He was being brought in and out of the lineup, and often in different positions on the field. With the disappointing season of Colombian Oscar Echeverry and the summer sale of Jozy Altidore, a spot at forward had seemingly opened up. With the club in desperate need of goals, Osorio decided to partner Magee up front with star striker Juan Pablo Angel.
In arguably the most important stretch of the season at the time for Red Bull, Magee turned it on and delivered. His first half goal on August 10th against arch-rival DC United in a must-win match, proved to be the winner, and from there Magee was off to the races. He struck yet again in the following match, a home tilt against Toronto FC, registering his second game winner in as many matches. For good measure, Magee added the dagger in a 3-0 shellacking of defending champions Houston the following week.
Magee credits part of his recent turnaround to playing with Juan Pablo Angel, one of the most feared strikers in Major League Soccer.
“We complement each other really well,” said Magee. “There’s not too many guys who are looking to score 100-percent of the time, but Juan Pablo does. I have the same mentality.”
It sure seems that way, as Angel also flourished during the Red Bulls’ three game August home-stand. The two combined for seven goals during that stretch, helping New York see its way to all nine points, providing a huge boost to their playoff push. .
Magee is aware that if Red Bull are to make the playoffs and advance for only the second time in club history, he will be a big part of it.
“As a team, we need to win our home games,” said Magee. “As for me, I just need to continue to be fit and find my playing time.”
It is odd for an outsider to grasp the fact that Magee, at still such a tender age of 24, is the player with the longest tenure in New York. Yet that is indeed a shock to Magee himself. “It doesn’t seem like it” he said laughingly. “It’s kind of bizarre.”
However watching Magee in training, one could confuse him with a rookie still looking to impress the coaching staff and improve on his game. During a recent training session, Magee worked afterwards with coach Osorio and assistant Richie Williams for about thirty minutes on his technique and goal scoring. While other veterans and youngsters were finished on the field, Magee continued to push himself.
“I have to keep working on my finishing and stay sharp,” said Magee. “Now that I’m scoring, I can’t stop.”
The Red Bulls sure hope he doesn’t.
Chris Celleti covers the New York Red Bulls for Goal.com
It is very rare in professional sports that a twenty-four year old is the longest tenured player on his or her team. Yet that is exactly what Mike Magee is to the New York Red Bulls. On a franchise that can be identified by its turnover (does eleven managers in thirteen seasons say anything?) Magee has been one constant throughout a whirlwind of change.
Drafted in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft at fourth overall by the then-Metrostars, Magee became a viable and versatile option.After enjoying his first three seasons as a consistent starter and contributor, Magee’s career took a big hit as he was riddled by the injury bug. In the 2006 season, he played in only 17 games, starting just nine. His three goals and one assist was his lowest point total output in a single season.
Ready for a bounce-back year in 2007, Magee would have to wait. He tore his MCL in January of 2007, setting him back and crushing any chance of having an impact on the Red Bulls’ season. He played in just seven matches, totaling 140 minutes and did not register a point.
Once a young player with great promise and early career success, Magee quickly became an afterthought to Red Bulls’ fans.
Yet with the 2008 season looming and a new regime in place with the club, an opportunity arose. With the team lacking creativity in midfield, and Magee healthy, manager Juan Carlos Osorio saw Magee as a option in an attacking midfield role. While Magee did not exactly flourish in the role early on, it seemed important for him to get back on the field with some consistency. Then finally on April 27th, Magee found the back of the net for the first time since July 22nd of the 2006 campaign. Magee knows being and staying healthy is key.
“The biggest difference has been fitness, and my health problems over the past two years,” said Magee. “With the health problems came some mental issues and a lack of confidence.”
Unfortunately, even though Magee was healthy, his contributions remained minimal in the 2008 season. Still with only his lone goal against San Jose back in April, Magee found a tough time finding any consistent form. He was being brought in and out of the lineup, and often in different positions on the field. With the disappointing season of Colombian Oscar Echeverry and the summer sale of Jozy Altidore, a spot at forward had seemingly opened up. With the club in desperate need of goals, Osorio decided to partner Magee up front with star striker Juan Pablo Angel.
In arguably the most important stretch of the season at the time for Red Bull, Magee turned it on and delivered. His first half goal on August 10th against arch-rival DC United in a must-win match, proved to be the winner, and from there Magee was off to the races. He struck yet again in the following match, a home tilt against Toronto FC, registering his second game winner in as many matches. For good measure, Magee added the dagger in a 3-0 shellacking of defending champions Houston the following week.
Magee credits part of his recent turnaround to playing with Juan Pablo Angel, one of the most feared strikers in Major League Soccer.
“We complement each other really well,” said Magee. “There’s not too many guys who are looking to score 100-percent of the time, but Juan Pablo does. I have the same mentality.”
It sure seems that way, as Angel also flourished during the Red Bulls’ three game August home-stand. The two combined for seven goals during that stretch, helping New York see its way to all nine points, providing a huge boost to their playoff push. .
Magee is aware that if Red Bull are to make the playoffs and advance for only the second time in club history, he will be a big part of it.
“As a team, we need to win our home games,” said Magee. “As for me, I just need to continue to be fit and find my playing time.”
It is odd for an outsider to grasp the fact that Magee, at still such a tender age of 24, is the player with the longest tenure in New York. Yet that is indeed a shock to Magee himself. “It doesn’t seem like it” he said laughingly. “It’s kind of bizarre.”
However watching Magee in training, one could confuse him with a rookie still looking to impress the coaching staff and improve on his game. During a recent training session, Magee worked afterwards with coach Osorio and assistant Richie Williams for about thirty minutes on his technique and goal scoring. While other veterans and youngsters were finished on the field, Magee continued to push himself.
“I have to keep working on my finishing and stay sharp,” said Magee. “Now that I’m scoring, I can’t stop.”
The Red Bulls sure hope he doesn’t.
Chris Celleti covers the New York Red Bulls for Goal.com
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|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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