Four MLS teams emerge as favorites to sign free agent Mike Magee

Mike Magee remains one of the most interesting names in the Major League Soccer free-agent market. The veteran forward is just two years removed from scoring 21 goals and winning the league's Most Valuable Player award.

Yahoo Sports has learned that four MLS teams – Chicago Fire, Los Angeles Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City and Vancouver Whitecaps – have emerged as favorites to sign the 31-year-old Magee.

The Whitecaps might be an interesting fit – at the right price. The team is built on mid-tier players and balance, and Magee's position versatility could blend in well with what head coach Carl Robinson is building in Vancouver.

Magee also would work well in Kansas City. Sporting has already added midfielder Justin Mapp as the first-ever free-agent signing in MLS history, but a deal with Magee would be the club's second and final signing, per league rules.

That could well leave the Fire the team to beat.

Chicago would like to retain Magee, who made $400,000 this past season but scored two goals in just 14 games in all competitions due to a nine-month absence after hip and knee surgeries. The Fire have the salary cap space to sign the local product, but it remains to be seen how Magee would will fit into the system of first-year head coach Veljko Paunovic.

The Galaxy appear to be the least likely team to land Magee, given their current constraints under the salary cap. Magee helped L.A. win the MLS Cup in 2011 but was traded to Chicago for Robbie Rogers in May 2013.

Players without a contract or option picked up after the season – and at least 28 years old with a minimum of eight years of MLS service – are eligible for free agency.