The Best Thing That Happened This Week: Andre Blake Made the MLS Best XI

The Union goalkeeper is officially the best in the league at his spot.

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) during the second half against the Orlando City FC on Oct. 16, 2016 at Talen Energy Stadium. Orlando won 2-0. Photo | Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (1) during the second half against the Orlando City FC on Oct. 16, 2016 at Talen Energy Stadium. Orlando won 2-0. Photo | Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

So let’s suppose you’re really, really tired of watching the Sixers crumble in the fourth quarter. And you’re really, really disillusioned with the Eagles—yeah, even Carson Wentz—after that Bengals game. And the offseason news coming out of the Phillies camp—yada yada yada, the Process, yada yada—is one big yawn. The Flyers? Please. Nobody’s been excited about the Flyers since the 1970s.

So what’s a forlorn sports fan to do? You might start by ruminating on Andre Blake, Jamaican-born goalie for the Philadelphia Union, who this week was named to Major League Soccer’s Best XI, meaning he’s the league’s best player between the posts. Blake also, um, started this past season’s MLS All-Star game. And happened last month to be named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (ahead of Tim Howard!). So, you know, you can keep on following those same-old, same-olds. Or you can order up a Sons of Ben shirt, snag season tickets to the Union for Christmas, and start getting ready to watch Blake and fellow XI’er Keegan Rosenberry (who played every single moment of every single Union game in this, his rookie season, without drawing a single card) set the league on fire.