Today's UNIBET Day in Union history took place seven years ago as Philadelphia Union drafted two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake at the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
Taking place in the City of Brotherly Love, the Boys in Blue up in the board to select the Jamaican goalkeeper from the University of Connecticut. Heading into the SuperDraft, Blake wasn’t sure to expect. Not long after hearing his name called by Commissioner Don Garber, Blake was still a bit stunned.
“It’s a great feeling, man,” Blake said in 2014. “I just answered that question and it’s good pressure coming with the No. 1 overall pick. Now you’ve got to go out there on the pitch and show them you got a good choice. No. 1, there’s a little bit of pressure, but I’m a goalkeeper and I’ve been under pressure all the days of my life. I want to go out on the pitch and show them it was a good choice.”
Needless to say, it's been a great selection as Brick Wall Blake guided the club to the 2020 Supporters Shield while claiming MLS Best XI honors in 2020 and 2016 as well as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors in both of those years too. Blake holds all the goalkeeping franchise records with 59 wins, 38 clean sheets and 460 saves.
