Philadelphia Union veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake was ruled out of Saturday’s game at CF Montreal with a Grade 1 adductor strain.
Blake, 32, was injured in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire, departing in the 33rd minute when the game was still scoreless.
Joe Bendik is set to replace Blake in goal Saturday. He entered in the first half against the Fire and was in goal for the Union’s 4-0 victory over Alianza FC on Tuesday that advanced the club to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The Union hope to get Blake back for a March 25 matchup with Orlando City SC, but head coach Jim Curtin is taking a cautious approach.
“Andre has typically been a quick healer so I don’t want to sit here and say two or three or four weeks, but I don’t want to say he’ll play against Orlando because I’m not positive,” Curtin said. “Right now he hasn’t stepped on the field with us in training but he’s going to work like heck and our medical staff does an amazing job getting guys back as quickly as possible.”
Blake is in his 10th season with the Union, recording 65 shoutouts over 208 regular-season games played, all starts. He has played 236 games across all competitions. Blake is signed with the club through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
The Jamaica native, who attended UConn, has played 64 games with the Jamaica national team since 2014.
–Field Level Media