Andre Blake

Andre Blake
Blake with the Philadelphia Union in 2017
Personal information
Full name Andre Jason Blake[1]
Date of birth (1990-11-21) 21 November 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth May Pen, Jamaica
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 18
Youth career
Sporting Central Academy
Harbour View
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Connecticut Huskies 68 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014– Philadelphia Union 246 (0)
International career‡
Jamaica U17[3]
Jamaica U20[3]
Jamaica U23[4]
2014– Jamaica[5] 81 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Jamaica
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Runner-up 2015 United States–Canada Team
Runner-up 2017 United States Team
CONCACAF Nations League
Third place 2024 United States Team
Caribbean Cup
Winner 2014 Jamaica Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:07, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

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

Early career

After playing with Sporting Central Academy and Harbour View, 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]

Club career

Blake was selected by Philadelphia Union first overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.[6] Originally anticipated to be the Union's starting goalkeeper, he was deputized to the bench when the Union signed designated player Raïs M'Bolhi.[7] Blake made his first appearance for the Union in a friendly match against Crystal Palace in July 2014.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] He was also selected to the 2019 MLS All-Star Game as the Union's only representative.[12]

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.[13] 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.[13][14]

In July 2021, Blake signed a contract extension with the Union through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025.[15] In August, Blake was announced as a selection to the 2021 MLS All-Star Game versus the Liga MX All-Stars.[16]

International career

Blake made his debut Jamaica national football team start on 2 March 2014, versus Barbados, a 2–0 win.[17] Blake earned his first medal for Jamaica later that year, winning the 2014 Caribbean Cup and earning the Golden Gloves award in the process.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20][21]

During the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Blake again started all matches, helping Jamaica win the group stage.[22] The Reggae Boyz won the quarter-final match against Panama, with Blake securing his 14th career shutout via a 1–0 victory.[23] Advancing to the semi-finals, Jamaica was knocked out of the tournament, again by the United States.[24]

During the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Blake was called up alongside Philadelphia Union teammates Cory Burke and Alvas Powell.[25] Making four appearances for the Reggae Boyz during the competition, Jamaica was ultimately knocked out during the quarterfinals against the United States.[26]

Personal life

Blake is a Christian.[27] He is married, and has two children.[28] He earned his U.S. green card in the summer of 2015, qualifying him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[29] In 2021, Blake and his wife opened a sports bar, Blake's Kickout Sports Bar and Lounge, in his hometown of May Pen.[28][30]

Produced by Fulwell 73, FIFA released Captains in 2022, an eight-part sports docuseries following six national team captains in their respective 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns.[31] Blake, representing Jamaica, starred alongside Thiago Silva (Brazil), Luka Modrić (Croatia), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Hassan Maatouk (Lebanon) and Brian Kaltak (Vanuatu).[31] It was released by Netflix and also shown on FIFA's own streaming platform, FIFA+.[32]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 October 2024[33][2]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League U.S. Open Cup Playoffs Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Philadelphia Union 2014 MLS 1 0 1 0 – – – 2 0
2015 6 0 1 0 – – – 7 0
2016 32 0 2 0 1 0 – – 35 0
2017 26 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 – 1 0 – 3[b] 0 25 0
2021 26 0 – 2 0 6[c] 0 – 34 0
2022 34 0 0 0 3 0 – – 37 0
2023 27 0 1 0 3 0 5[c] 0 7[d] 0 43 0
2024 14 0 – – 3[c] 0 7[d] 0 24 0
Career total 246 0 9 0 13 0 14 0 17 0 299 0
  1. ^ Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  2. ^ Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played 18 November 2024[34]
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 11 0
2022 8 0
2023 9 0
2024 8 0
Total 81 0

Honours

Philadelphia Union[33]

Jamaica[33]

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". Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b c "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. ^ "Andre Blake". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Union take Andre Blake in 1st pick". ESPN FC. 16 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  7. ^ "How Union GK Andre Blake conquered hurdles to become a star". MLSSoccer.com. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Union showcase a few new faces in Friday night friendly against Crystal Palace at PPL Park". Philadelphia Union. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Andre Blake makes strong claim for Philadelphia Union starting goalkeeper job after win in Montreal". MLSSoccer.com. 22 August 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Union draw with New England as Blake sets single-game club save record". Philadelphia Union. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal". FourFourTwo. 17 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  12. ^ Ralph, Matthew (24 June 2019). "Andre Blake will be lone Philadelphia Union representative at MLS All-Star Game". Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Season in Review: Andre Blake". philadelphiaunion.com. 7 December 2020. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake voted Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". MLSsoccer.com. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Philadelphia Union Sign Goalkeeper Andre Blake To Contract Extension". philadelphiaunion.com. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Philadelphia's Andre Blake added to MLS All-Star Game roster". MLSsoccer.com. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Union rookie goalkeeper Andre Blake called up to Jamaican national team for pair of friendlies". Philadelphia Union. 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Andre Blake and Jamaica defeats Trinidad and Tobago in shootout to win 2014 Caribbean Cup". Brotherly Game. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  19. ^ Rob Goldberg (26 July 2017). "Jordan Morris Scores Go-Ahead Goal as USA Beats Jamaica in 2017 Gold Cup Final". bleacherreport.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  20. ^ "Jamaica's Goalkeeper Andre Blake Awarded The Golden Glove At Gold Cup Final". iamajamaican.net. 27 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  21. ^ "CONCACAF Awards: Andre Blake – Gold Cup hero". concacaf.com. 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  22. ^ Larry Henry Jr. (28 June 2019). "Andre Blake eager for chance to represent Jamaica in Philadelphia". sbisoccer.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  23. ^ Matthew Ralph (30 June 2019). "Andre Blake, Jamaica back into third straight Gold Cup semifinal". brotherlygame.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  24. ^ Alicia Rodriguez (4 July 2019). "Jamaica 1, United States 3 | 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Jamaica squad strengthened by MLS presence". concacaf.com. 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Late Matthew Hoppe Header Sends USA to CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals with 1–0 Win Against Jamaica". ussoccer.com. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  27. ^ Doering, Joshua (30 August 2022). "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake anchored in Christ while becoming top MLS goalie". Sports Spectrum. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  28. ^ a b Olivia Brown (19 February 2021). "Reggae Boy kick-starts new business in Clarendon". The Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  29. ^ Marc Narducci (22 July 2015). "Union will face Red Bulls in U.S. Open Cup matinee". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  30. ^ Matthew Ralph (19 February 2021). "Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake opens sports bar with his wife in Jamaica". brotherlygame.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  31. ^ a b "FIFA launches FIFA+ to bring free football entertainment to fans everywhere". FIFA. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  32. ^ Zaazaa, Bassam (14 October 2022). "Lebanon's captain Hassan Maatouk to star in Netflix football documentary". Arab News. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  33. ^ a b c Andre Blake at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Andre Blake". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  36. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  37. ^ "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". MLSsoccer.com. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  38. ^ "2019 MLS All-Star Roster". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  39. ^ "2022 MLS All-Star Game Roster". Major League Soccer. 12 July 2022. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  40. ^ "Andre Blake named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". Goal.com. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  41. ^ "Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake named 2022 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year". Major League Soccer. 19 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  42. ^ "MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best at each position in 2016?". MLSsoccer.com. 5 December 2016. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  43. ^ "2020 MLS Best XI presented by Home Depot". MLSsoccer.com. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  44. ^ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. 2 November 2022. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  45. ^ Gold Cup (26 July 2017). "Gold Cup Golden Glove Presented by Allstate". Retrieved 4 February 2019 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ "TSG reveals Gold Cup Best XI". goldcup.org. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2019.