There was elation in Talen Energy Stadium when Drew Fischer announced that Cory Burke’s goal stood, putting the Union up 1-0. But that energy would have evaporated in an instant if Andre Blake had not played like, well, Andre Blake. The big Union goalie was beaten by a deflected strike and an unstoppable header in New England, and he was out to prove that nothing was unstoppable for him Saturday night.
The Revolution barely generated anything offensively before the Union went ahead, and afterwards their chances came quite suddenly, often out of nothing. This meant Blake had to be ready for anything. First he controlled a long Cristian Penilla shot from the top of the box. Next, he somehow had enough finger strength to push Penilla’s blazing strike around the far post from close range. And, finally, he met Juan Agudelo’s strong header with a stunning save. Agudelo had made a wonderful run, sneaking into space behind Keegan Rosenberry after Penilla went front post. Blake was moving left to right and had to stop and propel himself back in the other direction to paw away the shot. It was a special save, but it still felt fairly routine because Blake is such a special goalie.
And that is why fans voted him Man of the Match against New England Saturday night.
