Andre Blake

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Andre Blake
Andre Blake - Philadelphia Union (cropped).jpg
Blake with Philadelphia Union in 2017
Personal information
Full name Andre Jason Blake[1]
Date of birth (1990-11-21) 21 November 1990 (age 31)
Place of birth May Pen, Jamaica
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Philadelphia Union
Number 18
Youth career
Sporting Central Academy[3]
Harbour View F.C.[3]
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Connecticut Huskies 68 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014– Philadelphia Union 171 (0)
National team
Jamaica U17[3]
Jamaica U20[3]
Jamaica U23[4]
2014– Jamaica 52 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:53, 21 November 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:31, 7 October 2021 (UTC)

Andre Jason Blake (born 21 November 1990) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and the Jamaica national team.

Club career[]

College[]

Blake spent three years playing college soccer at UConn, before signing a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer.[3] He registered 37 shutouts over his three years in goal for the Huskies, winning the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012 and the AAC Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2013. He was named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy in 2013.[2]

Professional[]

Blake was selected by Philadelphia Union first overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.[5] Originally anticipated to be the Union's starting goalkeeper, he was deputized to the bench when the Union signed designated player, Raïs M'Bolhi.[6] Blake made his first appearance for the Union in a friendly match against Crystal Palace in July 2014.[7] He made his first competitive start for the Union in a 1–0 win against Montreal Impact who debuted Didier Drogba as their new designated player.[8] Blake started for five of the remaining eight matches in the 2015 season. On 26 September 2015, playing against New England Revolution, Blake set a Union team record for saves in a match with 10 stops to preserve a 1–1 draw.[9]

During the 2016 season, Blake cemented himself as the clear starting goalkeeper for the Union. In July 2016, he was included in the roster for the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.[10] He was also selected to the 2019 MLS All-Star Game as the Union's only representative.[11]

During the 2020 season, Blake earned accolades for his performances including the Golden Glove for the MLS is Back Tournament, his second MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, and second selection to the MLS Best XI.[12] Blake posted a 77.8 save percentage and allowed only 18 goals, leading the league in both stats for goalkeepers with 20 or more appearances. He also led the league in wins (13) and posted eight clean sheets.[12][13]

In July 2021, Blake signed a contract extension with the Union through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025.[14] In August, Blake was announced as a selection to the 2021 MLS All-Star Game versus the Liga MX All-Stars.[15]

International career[]

Blake made his debut Jamaica national football team start on 2 March 2014, versus Barbados, a 2–0 win.[16] Blake earned his first medal for Jamaica later that year, winning the 2014 Caribbean Cup and earning the Golden Gloves award in the process.[17]

Blake started all six matches during the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping Jamaica advance to the final and ultimately finishing runner-up to the United States.[18] Blake left the final injured due to a hand injury, but was awarded the tournament's Golden Glove (the first Jamaican to do so) and a spot in the Best XI for his performances.[19][20]

During the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Blake again started all matches, helping Jamaica win the group stage.[21] The Reggae Boyz won the quarter-final match against Panama, with Blake securing his 14th career shutout via a 1–0 victory.[22] Advancing to the semi-finals, Jamaica was knocked out of the tournament, again by the United States.[23]

During the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Blake was called up alongside Philadelphia Union teammates Cory Burke and Alvas Powell.[24] Making four appearances for the Reggae Boyz during the competition, Jamaica was ultimately knocked out during the quarterfinals against the United States.[25]

Personal life[]

Blake earned his U.S. green card in the summer of 2015. This status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[26]

In 2021, Blake and his wife opened a sports bar, Blake's Kickout Sports Bar and Lounge, in his hometown of May Pen.[27][28]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of 21 November 2021[29][2]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League U.S. Open Cup Playoffs CONCACAF Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Philadelphia Union 2014 MLS 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
2015 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 0
2016 32 0 2 0 1 0 35 0
2017 26 0 0 0 0 0 26 0
2018 33 0 4 0 1 0 38 0
2019 26 0 0 0 2 0 28 0
2020 21[a] 0 0 0 1 0 3[b] 0 25 0
2021 26 0 0 0 1 0 6[c] 0 33 0
Career total 171 0 8 0 6 0 6 0 3 0 194 0
  1. ^ Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  2. ^ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League

International[]

As of 7 October 2021[30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Jamaica 2014 9 0
2015 4 0
2016 9 0
2017 9 0
2018 4 0
2019 10 0
2020 0 0
2021 7 0
Total 52 0

Honours[]

Philadelphia Union[29]

Jamaica[29]

Individual

References[]

  1. ^ "Jamaica's 40 player provisional list to Copa Centenario". Jamaica Football Federation. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Philadelphia Union Player Profile
  3. ^ a b c d e "UConn Andre Blake Profile". UConn Athletics. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Olympic Qualifying 2012". CONCACAF. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Union take Andre Blake in 1st pick". ESPN FC. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. ^ "How Union GK Andre Blake conquered hurdles to become a star". MLSSoccer.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Union showcase a few new faces in Friday night friendly against Crystal Palace at PPL Park". Philadelphia Union. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Andre Blake makes strong claim for Philadelphia Union starting goalkeeper job after win in Montreal". MLSSoccer.com. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Union draw with New England as Blake sets single-game club save record". Philadelphia Union. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal". FourFourTwo. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  11. ^ Ralph, Matthew (24 June 2019). "Andre Blake will be lone Philadelphia Union representative at MLS All-Star Game". Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Season in Review: Andre Blake". philadelphiaunion.com. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake voted Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". MLSsoccer.com. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Philadelphia Union Sign Goalkeeper Andre Blake To Contract Extension". philadelphiaunion.com. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Philadelphia's Andre Blake added to MLS All-Star Game roster". MLSsoccer.com. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Union rookie goalkeeper Andre Blake called up to Jamaican national team for pair of friendlies". Philadelphia Union. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  17. ^ "Andre Blake and Jamaica defeats Trinidad and Tobago in shootout to win 2014 Caribbean Cup". Brotherly Game. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  18. ^ Rob Goldberg (26 July 2017). "Jordan Morris Scores Go-Ahead Goal as USA Beats Jamaica in 2017 Gold Cup Final". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Jamaica's Goalkeeper Andre Blake Awarded The Golden Glove At Gold Cup Final". iamajamaican.net. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  20. ^ "CONCACAF Awards: Andre Blake - Gold Cup hero". concacaf.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  21. ^ Larry Henry Jr. (28 June 2019). "Andre Blake eager for chance to represent Jamaica in Philadelphia". sbisoccer.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  22. ^ Matthew Ralph (30 June 2019). "Andre Blake, Jamaica back into third straight Gold Cup semifinal". brotherlygame.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  23. ^ Alicia Rodriguez (4 July 2019). "Jamaica 1, United States 3 | 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Jamaica squad strengthened by MLS presence". concacaf.com. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Late Matthew Hoppe Header Sends USA to CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals with 1-0 Win Against Jamaica". ussoccer.com. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  26. ^ Marc Narducci (22 July 2015). "Union will face Red Bulls in U.S. Open Cup matinee". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  27. ^ Olivia Brown (19 February 2021). "Reggae Boy kick-starts new business in Clarendon". The Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  28. ^ Matthew Ralph (19 February 2021). "Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake opens sports bar with his wife in Jamaica". brotherlygame.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  29. ^ a b c Andre Blake at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Andre Blake". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  32. ^ Quillen, Ian (12 August 2020). "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake wins MLS is Back Tournament Golden Glove presented by Allstate". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  33. ^ "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". MLSsoccer.com. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  34. ^ "2019 MLS All-Star Roster". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Andre Blake named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". Goal.com. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  36. ^ "MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best at each position in 2016?". MLSsoccer.com. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  37. ^ "2020 MLS Best XI presented by Home Depot". MLSsoccer.com. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  38. ^ Gold Cup (26 July 2017). "Gold Cup Golden Glove Presented by Allstate". Retrieved 4 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "TSG reveals Gold Cup Best XI". goldcup.org.
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