PAYBACK TIME: Jamaican duo look to reward club’s faith with MLS Cup win

Winning today’s Major League Soccer (MLS) championship would be equal parts receiving reward as well as giving it for Reggae Boyz Andre Blake and Cory Burke.

After multiple hiccups, which cost them chunks of MLS playing time and football treasure in recent years, the Jamaicans are in position to partially make amends for not just a disappointing World Cup campaign, but repay their club Philadelphia Union’s unwavering faith by winning the MLS Cup, symbol for champions in the top professional league in the United States and Canada.

“I have to be grateful for what they (Philadelphia Union) did for me,” Burke said Thursday in California, where his team will face Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) at 4 p.m. E.T. (3 p.m. Jamaica time).

In 2019, Burke was denied an American visa. He stayed in Jamaica, representing Portmore United on loan. Philadelphia Union backed him, not just with talk, but the club’s cheque book.

“When I went to Portmore, they were still paying my full salary,” Burke said.

Blake was at the University of Connecticut when Philadelphia Union bucked history and made him the top pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the first goalkeeper taken that high. That came with massive expectations. But in the years since, the Union never won a major trophy. Blake had to overcome multiple medical issues, including knee surgery and a lacerated right hand suffered while playing for Jamaica in the 2017 Gold Cup final. Philadelphia Union stood by him. Like Burke, he’s eager to reward the club.

“I’m glad I’m in the position to pay them back,” Blake said Thursday. “(Today’s MLS final is) the biggest game in the club’s history.”

Burke has represented the Union more than 100 times, scoring 27 MLS goals. Among the most important was a stunning 76th-minute effort against New York City F.C. (NYCFC) in the Eastern Conference final on October 30. With the Philadelphia clinging to a come-from-behind 2-1 lead, the six-foot-four-inch, 181-pound Burke, who entered the game as a substitute, outmuscled a New York player to win the ball near half line and surged forward. He powered past multiple defenders before pouncing on a generous deflection inside the penalty box to rocket a shot past US international goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The 3-1 win launched Philadelphia into the final.

Medical issues cost Blake at least 100 days for the Union between his rookie season and last year. This year, he won his third MLS goalkeeper of the year award, the most by anyone in league history.

Yet, last year, Blake and Burke were helplessly locked in COVID-19 protocols when Philadelphia lost to NYCFC in the conference final, one step from MLS Cup.

TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW

“It was a tough moment, a tough pill to swallow,” Blake said. “It was beyond our control. There was nothing we could have done.”

This season, the Boyz believe, is finally time to reward the Union. Blake was recognised by Philadelphia for his contribution to the city. The 31-year-old started all 36 MLS games for the club last year and was a finalist for MLS’s most valuable player honour. Burke too has delivered.

“I’ve shown my appreciation by my performance,” he said after scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 32 MLS games this season. “Being in the final means a lot … We’re really happy to be here.”

Just not satisfied. Injuries and puzzling selection policies limited Burke’s appearances to less than half of the Boyz’s 14 Concacaf round qualifiers, where Jamaica squandered another World Cup opportunity.

“We had a perfect chance to go,” Burke said, “but we blew it.”

He and national captain Blake don’t compare World Cup qualification with Philadelphia Union’s mission. But they don’t hide the disappointment caused by Jamaica’s failure. Today’s game has become top priority.

“Obviously, I would have been happy to go to the World Cup,” said Blake. “But, of course, I would love to win (MLS Cup).”

He’s already cashed in with individual awards and lucrative pay during his time in Philadelphia. Fans in the City of Brotherly Love regular chanting “MVP! MVP”, although major title success has been elusive for the Union’s prized recruit.

Yet, for Blake and Burke, today’s final also showcases the value of Jamaican players, whose MLS numbers have dwindled rapidly in recent years. Once, as many as 20 Boyz roamed the league. Eight were on MLS rosters last year.

“Me and Andre always talk about how there used to be more Jamaicans in the MLS,” said Burke.

Jamaica’s talent pool is no secret to MLS. Boyz like Alvas Powell, Omar Cummings, Andy Williams and Tyrone Marshall have played key roles in winning MLS Cup. Jamaicans have been all-stars. Montego Bay-born Jeff Cunningham was once the league’s all-time leading goalscorer.

“Yeah, they (clubs) already know,” Burke said. “Even though we see more Jamaicans going to Europe, we’d like to see a lot more Jamaicans in MLS because there is a lot of talent in Jamaica.”

So Blake and Burke understand people see them as standard-bearers. It’s important they impress, especially today.

“We have to continue to open doors,” added Blake. “Raise the (Jamaican) flag high. Keep the flag high. We have to really go out there and give a good performance.”

Blake is a certain starter. Burke is likely to be on the bench at kick-off. He started eight of 33 regular MLS games played this season. Not ideal, but he understands the club’s approach.

“The other guys (starters) in front of me are doing pretty well,” Burke said. “But I’d love to start.”

He could be a game-changer, however, in a game which might need one. The finalists’ records mirror each other. They drew 2-2 in their only meeting this season in May. Each club was ranked top seed in its respective conference after finishing equal on points with 67. Western Conference champs LAFC were awarded the Supporters Shield, given to the team with the best record, because it lost fewer games. That’s why today’s final is being played at the club’s Banc of California Stadium.

Yet, the teams’ images are decidedly different. LAFC are seen as the glamour, ‘Hollywood’ team, boasting world-recognised names, such as Gareth Bale, Giorgio Chiellini and Carlos Vela. The Union are recognized for power, guts and grind. Burke believes that should worry LAFC.

“With our team, and how we play, it’s going to be tough on them (LAFC),” he said.

Despite LAFC’s home advantage, the two Jamaicans don’t plan to shrink in today’s spotlight.

“They (LAFC) have a really good team,” said Blake. “But we’re going to fight. We’re not going to lay down.”

There’s plenty to stand for.

“It means a lot (playing as Jamaicans in the MLS Cup),” said Burke. “Jamaica is supporting us.”

“I wouldn’t say this final is a make-up (for failing to qualify for the World Cup), but it’s a chance for me and Andre to win something meaningful.”

For club. For country.

Gordon Williams writes for MWD Media LLC. You may contact him at MWDmedialink@gmail.com.