Union’s Andre Blake has been nominated for CONCACAF player of the year

Last night, CONCACAF announced their nominations for the potential player of the year. To no one’s surprise, Andre Blake was one of the 6 men nominated for this honor. Obviously, the best goalkeeper in the MLS needed to be one nominee alongside Tyler Adams (US Soccer Player of the Year), Alphonso Davies (Canada Soccer Player of the Year), Christian Pulisic, and Jonathan David (CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers Starting XI Best) and Guillermo Ochoa (CONCACAF World Cup Starting XI).

Obviously, Blake has been thrown in with some elite company, but the 2x MLS Best Goalkeeper will have my vote. It is hard with Tyler Adams, who played exceptionally well in the World Cup for Team USA, and Christian Pulisic (Chelsea forward and hometown boy) both in the mix, but honestly, if Jamira was a much better team up front, Blake could be in the World Cup and maybe in some of these world tournaments because of how good he is.

In Blake’s 8-year MLS career, he has notched 65 clean sheets. In 208 games, Blake has given up 257 while making 642 saves. That’s no easy task to accomplish, but he has hands down been the franchise player for the Union and has given the Union a lot of stability in the back field. While we may never see a goalkeeper win MVP in the MLS, but he has more than earned it.

In his recent absence, the team clearly missed his calming presence in the back. I personally don’t know if that meltdown happens. What I do know, is an MVP is usually the player not only excels but is the leading cause for their team’s success. It is more than clear that the Union needs Blake in the backfield to be successful and to win matches.

If you want to vote, you can do so here, 2022 CONCACAF Awards | Vote now!