A strong performance in the national spotlight has earned Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake a place on Major League Soccer’s Team of the Week for Week 9.
The two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year reminded everyone that he's the top shot stopper in the league as he registered five saves to lead the Union to a 1-1 draw on the road in Nashville SC's opening match at GEODIS Park.
In the seventh minute, Blake made a finger tip stop to deflect an Alex Muhl shot from the edge of the box from going in to rocketing off the cross bar. In the 23rd minute the two met again, this time at the door step of the Union goal after a Nashville SC corner. Walker Zimmerman flicked a near post header to the far post which forced Blake to race to the other end and get a hand on another Muhl shot that again was saved.
Dre racked up another key stop this time against the ever-dangerous Hany Mukhtar in the 30th minute, sending another right-footed shot after a pass from former Union forward CJ Sapong. Nashville continue to be stymied by Blake as they continued to try to get past the Reggae Boyz captain. Just before the halftime whistle rang out, Nashville tried once more to score from a corner kick. The Boys in Blue cleared out the service centrally which allowed for a long-range blast from Daniel Lovitz. Eyeing up a golazo for the 30k fans in attendance, he too saw his shot turned aside.
Blake joins teammates Jack Elliott, Julian Carranza and Nathan Harriel for making the weekly Team of the Week by the league in 2022.
The Boys in Blue hit the road next weekend for their only April contest away from Subaru Park as they head north of the border to take on Toronto FC. Kick off from BMO Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage of the Eastern Conference contest on PHL17 and PhiladelphiaUnion.com.
