EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Mike Magee’s six-year Major League Soccer career has been hampered by injuries and illness, so he’s never really had a chance to meet the expectations that came with his being the fourth pick in the 2003 draft.
However, the Red Bulls forward could be turning things around after scoring for the second straight week during New York’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC on Sunday.
“Honestly, I hope I can get a goal every game,” Magee said. “I’m getting my legs back, so that’s a key and I have confidence now that I can get goals in back-to-back games. I’m getting my second chance and I’m making the most of it.”
Magee got his third goal of the season in the 37th minute after he ran down a long pass from Seth Stammler and beat Toronto FC goalie Greg Sutton from about 10 yards out.
“I was surprised that I was able to get there to the ball,” Magee said. “I thought someone would cut me off before I got there. I just took off.”
Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio praised Magee’s efforts.
“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and expressed my feelings about him being a scorer,” Osorio said. “I knew that when he’s 100 percent healthy, he can score. He’s getting fitter and stronger, and hopefully it can continue.”
Juan Pablo Angel had the Red Bulls’ other goal, sealing the win when he scored off a breakaway pass from Dane Richards in the 92nd minute. It was Angel’s seventh goal of the season and his fifth in five games.
Goalie Jon Conway made four saves to record his fifth shutout of the season and the 19th of his career for the Red Bulls (7-6-7). He also thwarted the best scoring chance Toronto FC (7-9-4) had when he made a diving one-handed save on Nana Attakora-Gyan’s header off a crossing pass in the 24th minute.
The Red Bulls played the second half down a man after defender Gabriel Cichero drew a red card and an ejection for a hard foul when he elbowed Toronto FC forward Danny Dichio in the head.
It came as both men jumped for a loose ball and it forced Dichio, who suffered a concussion in a game earlier this season, to leave the match.
Overall, Osorio said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“It was a fantastic result. It was great effort all around,” he said. “I told the guys how important this game was and they responded. Hopefully, the win can keep giving the guys confidence.”