Player of the Matchday

MLS Player of the Week: Hat trick by LA's Mike Magee earns him Week 1 award

Mike Magee celebrates a hattrick vs Chicago Fire (March 3, 2013)

They call him the MLS "Mr. November." But March may not be treating Mike Magee too badly.


The LA Galaxy forward became the first MLS Player of the Week winner in 2013 after his opening weekend hat trick against the Chicago Fire paced the defending MLS Cup champs to a 4-0 victory. See how the North American Soccer Reporters voted on the award here.


Magee, who originally hails from Chicago, was ruthless against the Fire on Sunday. He was the first to react to a rebound in the box in the 38th minute, volleying home for a 1-0 Galaxy lead. Then in the 68th minute, he dialed up the class on a sublime left-footed curling finish to double the advantage. And he capped his finishing clinic five minutes later by beating two Fire defenders to the ball and unleashing a half-volley past the 'keeper. (WATCH ALL THREE GOALS HERE)


Three was the magic number for Magee during the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. He scored three postseason goals for the Galaxy in both 2011 and 2012, earning the nickname "Mr. November" as LA claimed two straight MLS Cup titles.


The 28-year-old has mainly played at wide midfield in his time with the Galaxy, but with forward Landon Donovan away on a prolonged break, he started the 2013 season alongside Robbie Keane at forward. Magee's career high for goals in a season was seven back in his 2003 rookie season in New York.


Magee's only other Player of the Week award came in Week 15 of the 2011 season when he stepped in to fill in as goalkeeper for the Galaxy in a shutout at San Jose.