Blake, Burke get shot at MLS Cup appearance after COVID-19 sitout
Published:Sunday | October 30, 2022 | 12:10 AM
LAST YEAR, national goalkeeper Andre Blake and striker Cory Burke had to watch from the sidelines as their Major League Soccer club lost the Eastern Conference final to eventual MLS Cup winners New York City FC (NYCFC)
Tonight, both have a shot at setting things right with the same teams meeting again in this year’s Eastern Conference final at 7 p.m. Jamaica time, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Blake and Burke were unable to play in last season’s contest as they were among six players under COVID-19 protocols. The depleted Union squad lost 2-1 to NYCFC.
Burke will hope to play his part in a season where he has scored seven goals and registered four assists in 33 games.
With another opportunity at hand to get to their first MLS Cup final, Blake was happy about having his squad at full strength this time, and optimistic because of the level that his team is playing at.
“We have another shot. Not very often do you go to the conference finals two year’s in a row. It shows that the guys are doing a really good job. Head coach Jim Curtin is doing a really good job. The organisation is doing a really good job. The guys are hungry and motivated,” Blake said after their 1-0 Eastern Conference semi-final win over FC Cincinnati on October 20.
BEST SHOT
“I’m very happy to be back. Hopefully, this time we will have everybody and we will give it our best shot.”
FC Cincinnati also featured national defender Alvas Powell who was with the Union last year during their play-off run and was one of the players ruled out of the conference title game because of the protocols.
An MLS Cup title is the major piece missing from Blake’s resume’ in the league after another stellar season in which he was named MLS goalkeeper of the year for a record-breaking third time in his career.
He also received the John Wanamaker Athletic Award last week, given to the team or organisation which has done the most to represent the city of Philadelphia. He is also in the running for the MLS MVP award for the second time in three years, and could become the first goalkeeper since 2000 to win the award.
Curtin could not praise Blake enough after their semi-final, saying that he is the type of goalkeeper needed for deep play-off runs.
“We’re fortunate to have [Blake]. It was a great game from him, he keeps you in it when you need it most,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said after the game.
“Any play-off run, you need big saves from your goalkeeper. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the best defensive team in the league keeps a clean sheet in the play-offs.
“The lost art of defending, I’m still a believer. That’s what wins championships,” he added.