Chicago Fire’s Mike Magee all smiles with camp performance
Oct 19, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire forward Mike Magee (9) yells at the end of the game where they beat Toronto FC 1-0 at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Fire midfielder Mike Magee couldn’t be any more pleased with his performance at USA Men’s National Team camp, which is his first. Magee is hoping to impress against Korea Republic today at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
“Camp’s great,” Magee MLSSoccer.com’s Scott French. “Obviously, the most important day is tomorrow. And I’m excited and a little nervous at the same time and more than anything anxious to just get the game underway.”
Camp has been nothing new to Magee, who arrived with the national team at the 2005 January camp, but departed due to injury. But after solid years with the Los Angeles Galaxy and now with the Fire, Magic Mike is back in the mix.
“Mike was an easy transition because he’s been around the block for quite awhile,” USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters. “So he was not really nervous about it. He was happy, he is thrilled he is part of the group, and he kind of fit right in, in the training scrimmages that we had and in the group anyway. He’s a guy that adjusts easily to his teammates and is part of the group right away.
“We’re happy that we finally had a closer look at him, and hopefully he gets a chance tomorrow to show this also on a bigger stage.”
“I think it’s a great group of guys, and the level was high,” Magee added. “I played well. I’m happy with my camp and know I need to keep going from there. It was good to get my foot in the door, and now I just need to keep getting better and keep improving and keep on making good impressions.
“Obviously, four goals sounds better than not playing,” he said, “but I’m content with my ability and happy with my camp to know that no matter what happens, there’s still a lot of work to do between now and June and work to do for my club team. So it’s going to be a good day tomorrow, no matter what.”