Andre Blake

Last updated

Andre Blake
Andre Blake - Philadelphia Union (cropped).jpg
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 33)
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
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2011–2013 Connecticut Huskies 68 (0)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014– Philadelphia Union 246 (0)
International career
Jamaica U17 [3]
Jamaica U20 [3]
Jamaica U23 [4]
2014– Jamaica [5] 79 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Runner-up 2015 United States–Canada Team
Runner-up 2017 United States Team
CONCACAF Nations League
Bronze medal icon.svg 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 03:31, 15 October 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.

Contents

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
ClubSeasonLeague U.S. Open Cup Playoffs ContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Philadelphia Union 2014 MLS 101020
2015 601070
2016 3202010350
2017 26000260
2018 3304010380
2019 2600020280
2020 21 [lower-alpha 1] 0103 [lower-alpha 2] 0250
2021 260206 [lower-alpha 3] 0340
2022 3400030370
2023 27010305 [lower-alpha 3] 07 [lower-alpha 4] 0430
2024 1403 [lower-alpha 3] 07 [lower-alpha 4] 0240
Career total2460901301401702990
  1. Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  2. Appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  3. 1 2 3 Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
  4. 1 2 Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played 14 October 2024 [34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica 201490
201540
201690
201790
201840
2019100
202000
2021110
202280
202390
202460
Total790

Honours

Philadelphia Union [33]

Jamaica [33]

Individual

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