By DAN KARELL
For Mike Magee, returning home made all the difference.
Major League Soccer announced on Thursday morning that Magee has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player, taking home the award for the first time in his 11-year professional career. The Chicago Fire forward won in a landslide over former Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane, Marco Di Vaio, and Tim Cahill.
Magee finished the 2013 season with 21 goals and four assists, 15 of those goals coming after a midseason trade that sent him from the Galaxy to the Fire, returning the 29-year-old to his hometown for the first time since joining MLS in 2003. Magee nearly single-handedly led the Fire to a playoff place, only to miss out of the MLS Cup playoffs on the final day of the season as the New York Red Bulls pummeled the Fire, 5-2.
The former Metrostars/Red Bulls and Galaxy forward accrued a weighted total of 98.81 when combining the votes from clubs, media, and the players. Keane finished in a distant second, followed by Di Vaio and Cahill. Magee’s honor makes him the second consecutive American to win the award following Chris Wondolowski’s 27-goal season last year.
Magee will receive the award this afternoon at a ceremony in Kansas City.
——-
What do you think of this selection? Do you agree with Magee as MVP? Who would you have voted for?
Share your thoughts below.