Mike Magee’s chances of a meaningful, late dash at a World Cup roster spot were always found in the “longshot” file.
Getting invited into the January camp is one thing, and Magee, who made such a strong run at last year’s MLS Golden Boot, was most certainly deserving. He had seemed to perform well, too.
But moving up in the overall order of U.S. strikers was always something else entirely. As we’ve talked about over and over, there’s just not much room in the depth chart.
No, Jozy Altidore is not having a good year at the Stadium of Light – but it doesn’t matter in terms of his place in the 23-man roster for Brazil. Barring injury, he’s going, and probably starting, too.
Aron Johannsson and Eddie Johnson have done enough at this point. Herculez Gomez remains in the mix. Even Chris Wondolowski and Terrence Boyd have to be ahead of Magee in the pecking order of U.S. forwards. (And, clearly, Clint Dempsey is going to Brazil, too, although his responsibilities on the field aren’t more “second forward” than “pure striker.”)
Magee could also be considered for a wide spot, although he seemed to excel this year around Toyota Park when stationed closer to goal.
Either way, today’s news is a real bummer for the latecomer U.S. international, who is still looking for his first gap.
U.S. Soccer announced before Saturday’s match that Magee would miss the match due food poisoning.
