Union goalkeeper Andre Blake named to MLS’ All-Star roster

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake has been named to the Major League Soccer roster for the All-Star Game on July 31 in Orlando. The MLS will play 10-time La Liga champion Atletico Madrid in this year’s game.

It will be Blake’s second All-Star appearance. He previously was named in 2016, when he was also selected as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and to MLS Best XI.

Blake has appeared in 12 matches. He has a 1.47 goals-against average and two shutouts this season. He currently is competing with the Jamaican national team at the the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Blake, 28, was selected first overall in the 2014 MLS Superdraft out of the University of Connecticut. He has made 110 career starts for the Union, with 29 shutouts.

The Union are 9-4-4 (31 points) and are in first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Union issued this statement from manager Jim Curtin on Blake’s All-Star selection:

“It’s another great accomplishment for Andre in what is a busy summer for him. Obviously being away with Jamaica right now, we just sent him the message that he was selected for the [2019 MLS] All-Star team. Again, deserving, a guy that will represent the Philadelphia Union. I think we had a couple of other players that were also worthy, but Andre certainly has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in our league. He’s a major reason why we are in first place in the Eastern Conference right now, and we wish him all the best down in Orlando for the [2019 MLS] All-Star Game.”

Blake is the first player to earn multiple All-Star berths while playing for the Union.

Here are the previous Union All-Stars:

2010: Sebastien Le Toux

2011: Faryd Mondragon

2012: Michael Farfan, Carlos Valdes

2013: Jack McInerney

2014: Maurice Edu

2016: Blake, Keegan Rosenberry