We're down to the final four finalists for the 2022 Ardent Credit Union Save of the Year after all the votes were counted in the opening round last week. Over the next 24 hours the top four will be whittled down to just two so don't miss out by casting your vote on Instagram before time runs out!
The first matchup features a pair of key stops from the 2022 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Andre Blake. The top choice in the opening round was his game-changing reaction save in the Eastern Conference Final to keep it a one-goal match against New York City FC as he pawed away a header from Alexander Callens. That stop faces off against Dre's remarkable flying stop from Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayán who fired a free kick that forced a tough stop.
The second semifinal is a combination play from the Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Defender of the Year that preserved a crucial shutout on the road at Atlanta United FC late in the season. After forcing a turnover at the center line, ATL's Araújo raced up the flank and picked out a pass into the path of Brooks Lennon. One on one against Blake, the wing back rushed a shot but the Jamaican keeper made the diving stop to his right. The rebound fell directly into the path for Dom Dwyer on the counter attack run but his tap in effort was turned away with a sliding stop by Glesnes. Frustrated once, the ATL forward was left wondering how he didn’t score as the second rebound in his path was tapped by the Union defender to Blake down on the turf to end the play. That stop faces off against Blake's remarkable reaction stop in the first match at GEODIS Park as he denied what could have been the first goal in the stadium's history. In the 23rd minute the Blake denied Alex Muhl at the door step of the Union goal after a Nashville SC corner was flicked by Walker Zimmerman to the other post which forced Blake to race to the other end and get a hand on another Muhl shot that again was saved.
Need a refresher or just want to want the plays over and over? Check it out below and then head to our Instagram to cast your vote before the poll ends at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, December 14th!
