Andre Blake
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake has been a prominent player for the Jamaican National Team. Since early 2014, the goalkeeper has earned 31 caps for the Reggae Boyz and has received the honors of wearing the captain’s armband in several of those appearances.
Blake’s early national team success started when he defeated Trinidad and Tobago in a shootout to win the 2014 Caribbean Cup. During the tournament, Blake was also named the Golden Glove winner.
Blake began to breakout on the world stage when he carried Jamaica to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Unfortunately, Blake had to leave the game prematurely due to a hand injury.
Despite losing the match to the Red, White and Blue, he was still named the Golden Glove winner. The goalkeeper also received the honors of being named to the tournament’s Best XI.
As 2018 approaches, Blake looks to have another successful year with the Union and hopefully earn another international call-up.
Haris Medunjanin
Midfielder Haris Medunjanin is no stranger to the international spotlight either, as he earned 58 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team.
In 2012, Medunjanin led his team to a second-place group finish in the UEFA Euro qualifiers. In his fantastic campaign, he managed to score a goal in three separate games against Albania, Belarus and Luxembourg.
In 2017, Medunjanin made a splash during World Cup qualifiers against powerhouse Belgium. Medunjanin started at central attacking mid and scored a goal early to tie the game.
So far this year, 2018 has been great to the midfielder as he already registered two caps this past January with Bosnia.
Medunjanin earned the captain’s armband and led the young team in a friendly against the United States Men’s National Team, as well as a friendly against Mexico on Jan. 31.
Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya has been a versatile player for the United States Men’s National Team and has earned 66 caps for the Red, White and Blue.
Bedoya made his national team debut in 2010, but truly made an impact for the squad in 2013. The midfielder helped the US win the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and played in each of the four contests for the US.
He continued to dominate in 2013 when he scored his first international goal against Guatemala on July 5.
Bedoya continued to climb the ladder of success when he scored another goal on Sept. 3, 2014 against the Czech Republic.
In 2017, Bedoya helped the US in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and earned the captain’s armband for the opening match against Panama.
The midfielder and the US won Group B stage before leaving the team for the birth of his second child.
The USMNT went on to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Bedoya became recognized as a 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup champion.
CJ Sapong
Forward CJ Sapong also attended a handful of United States Men’s National team camps and has earned four caps for the Red, White and Blue.
Sapong made his official debut for the US in 2012 when he came on as a sub against Venezuela. Just days after his national team debut, Sapong earned a second cap against Panama.
Despite not playing in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Sapong earned another cap after the MLS season ended.
The forward received the start against Portugal on Nov. 14 and recorded his first national team assist in the team’s 1-1 draw.
So far in 2018, Sapong earned his fourth cap for the USMNT when he started in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina and current Union teammate, Haris Medunjanin.
Fans can catch Blake, Bedoya, Medunjanin, Sapong and the rest of the Union on March 3, as they host New England Revolution at the home opener, presented by Oliver Heating and Cooling. Tickets for the match can be found here.
