Union's Blake Set for New Season After 2025 Disappointments

Veteran goalkeeper looks to rebound from World Cup qualification failure with Jamaica and playoff exit with Philadelphia Union.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Andre Blake, the starting goalkeeper and captain for the Jamaican national team as well as the Philadelphia Union, is facing a pivotal 2026 season after a difficult 2025. In November, Blake's World Cup qualification dreams with Jamaica were dashed, and his Union team was ousted from the MLS playoffs. This winter has required a psychological and emotional reset for Blake as he prepares for the upcoming season with the Union and a career-defining week in March when Jamaica will attempt to qualify for the World Cup through the inter-confederation playoffs.

Why it matters

Blake is a franchise stalwart for the Union, having been with the club since being drafted first overall in 2014. His performances are crucial to the Union's success, and his leadership will be even more important this year as the team rebuilds following the departures of several veteran players. Qualifying for the World Cup with Jamaica would be a crowning achievement in Blake's career, but the stakes are high as the Reggae Boyz look to make just their second World Cup appearance.

The details

Blake missed significant time in 2024 and 2025 due to various injuries, including adductor, hamstring, and knee issues. He played in 21 games for the Union last season, keeping nine clean sheets as the team won the Supporters' Shield. However, the playoff loss to NYCFC ended the Union's season on a sour note. With Jamaica, Blake was part of the team that squandered its path to the World Cup, drawing 0-0 at home against Curacao in November to miss out on automatic qualification.

  • In November, Jamaica's 0-0 draw at home against Curacao cost them a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
  • In March 2026, Jamaica will face New Caledonia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the inter-confederation playoffs, with a spot in the World Cup on the line.

The players

Andre Blake

The starting goalkeeper and captain for the Jamaican national team, as well as the starting goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union. Blake has over 300 career appearances for the Union and 92 caps for Jamaica.

Alejandro Bedoya

A veteran midfielder for the Philadelphia Union who, at 38 years old, is one of the few players older than 30 on the team's roster.

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What they’re saying

“I'm the goalkeeper, and while I can stop us from losing the game, if we don't score a goal, we can't win the game. So that's kind of where I find some peace, but also, you want to accomplish stuff. And while you can say you did your best and you can put your hand up and say you leave it all out there, you know you still want more. I want more.”

— Andre Blake, Goalkeeper, Philadelphia Union (The Times-Tribune)

“It would be, for me, the biggest accomplishment in football. That goes without saying. But I also have to understand that it's a team sport. It's not a one-man sport. I can do everything I can, and we can still not make it. So with that, it's very hard for me to live with that, but I have to also understand that it is what it is.”

— Andre Blake, Goalkeeper, Philadelphia Union (The Times-Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.