JFF lauds Andre Blake for copping MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell, has extended special congratulations to Jamaica’s first-choice goalkeeper Andre Blake for being named MLS Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year 2016.
The number-one pick in the 2014 SuperDraft, who plays for the Philadelphia Union, won the award on Thursday, ahead of the New York Red Bulls’ Luis Robles and Colorado Rapids’ Tim Howard.
“Andre (Blake), who started his football career at Clarendon College and has played at the National Under-17, 20 and 23 levels for Jamaica, has consistently showed a high level of commitment, passion and patriotism for the national team and it is no wonder that he has once again shone at the international level. The JFF is absolutely delighted that this young player continues to excel in this way and this augurs very, very well for the future of our programme. This is a player with whom we are indeed proud,” stated Captain Burrell.
After playing sparingly during his first two seasons, Blake became the Union’s undisputed starter in 2016, starting 32 regular season matches to help Philadelphia qualify for the play-offs for the first time since 2011.
The athletic, six foot four goalkeeper finished the regular season with six shutouts and a total of 99 saves. The 2016 MLS All-Star earned Philadelphia several points with some highlight reel stops, and ended the year with 1.56 goals against average and a 66 per cent save percentage.
Blake, who turns 26 today, won the Goalkeeper of the Year vote by a wide margin over runner-up Robles, finishing first in the player, media and club vote to claim the award. Howard finished third in the voting while DC’s Bill Hamid and San Jose’s David Bingham rounded out the top five.
He was appointed captain of the Jamaica team for the recent Jamaica vs Suriname encounter and is one of the the youngest and few goalkeepers to captain a national senior team.
He was also the only goalkeeper in MLS history to be selected number one overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
Blake follows in the footsteps of fellow Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts, who won the award in 2010 for the LA Galaxy and again in 2013 for the Portland Timbers.
