When you think of the best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer for this calendar year there is only one player that you can guarantee will appear on every single list. For that reason there was no surprise that Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was named a finalist for the Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year but also the Landon Donovan Most Valuable Player.
While Union fans have known Blake’s prowess in net since the end of the 2015 season, his 2020 season has been even more impressive you could argue than his previous Goalkeeper of the Year campaign. Blake that season made 99 saves in 32 matches racking up six clean sheets. In 2020 in just 21 games held opposing offenses to zero goals on eight separate occasions, allowed just 18 goals while making 63 saves. If 2020 had been normal you’d see a pace of 96 saves, 12 shut outs and only 27 goals against. In case you’re curious that would be 23 less than he had in his award-winning season.
Blake’s impact is clearly seen to the entire country and the world during the MLS is Back Tournament. From a 7-save shutout including a last-minute clinching stop against New York City FC to open the tournament, Blake racked up 32 saves in Orlando. And they weren’t easy ones as 19 of the 32 games came from shots inside the penalty area.
Blake continues to prove why he was the first goalkeeper taken with the No. 1 overall pick of the MLS SuperDraft. And with the Boys in Blue winning the Supporters’ Shield be the Jamaican International became the fifth No. 1 selection to win a league trophy with the club that selected him.
We’ll find out this week even starting today how many more accolades that Brick Wall Blake will add to his name but the ultimate goal is the MLS Cup.
The Union kick off the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, November 24th. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
