Talen Energy Stadium has been a fortress for Philadelphia Union. Since 2016, the Union own a home record of 19-9-9 and in 2017, the club set a franchise record for home wins in a season with 10. The strong play at home is much in part to the form of their man in net, Andre Blake.
The Captain of the Reggae Boyz has put up video game type of numbers at home since he took over starting the job full-time in the 2016 campaign, making 32 career starts. In those starts, Blake owns an impressive 16-8-8 record at home.
The stats go beyond the win column for Blake. In 2016, the Jamaican international made 35 saves in 16 starts while posting 1.38 goals-against average at Talen Energy Stadium. Of those 16 home starts, Blake recorded five shutouts in a season that saw accolades come in left and right.
Blake was named to the 2016 All-Star Game in San Jose, California where he was the starting goalkeeper for the MLS side in their match against English Premier League's Arsenal. Blake would go on to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016 and was named to MLS Best XI, much in part to his stellar performances at Talen Energy Stadium.
The following season Blake did the unimaginable and improved his stat line in home contests from the year before. Blake finished the 2017 campaign with an 8-3-3 record at home, including five shutouts. The Jamaican international also recorded 43 saves and allowed just 1.21 goals a game at Talen Energy Stadium last year.
This season, Blake has stayed true to his home form. In the first two matches of the 2018 campaign, the Union have played both contests at Talen Energy Stadium and have yet to allow a goal.
Blake is the only regular starting goalkeeper in MLS to own a perfect 100 save percentage, and not allow a goal this season. Blake is also tied for the league lead in shutouts with two, despite playing in few matches.
Overall in his career behind the support of the Union faithful, Blake has posted 13 of his 19 career shutouts at Talen Energy Stadium and owns an all-time goals against average at home of just 1.18.
Blake will get his next opportunity to flex his muscles in front of the home fans when they host San Jose Earthquakes on April 7 at Talen Energy Stadium, with a kick-off set for 7 p.m.
