Andre Blake Makes History in the MLS and Hits an Impressive Milestone with the Columbus Crew | OneFootball

It's funny how some players can be absolute giants on the field but barely make a ripple off of it. Take Andre Blake, for example, the goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union. This guy just hit a staggering 300 regular season games in the MLS, a feat that only a select few players will ever achieve.

Yet, while the U.S. soccer scene still seems obsessed with the search for the next big-name forward, someone who sells jerseys, rakes in social media likes, and, of course, scores goals, keepers like Blake are out here holding their teams together without getting the credit they deserve. What Blake has done for the Union is no small feat. And if the MLS ever wants to be taken seriously as an elite soccer league globally, it needs to start putting a spotlight on accomplishments like this.

Blake isn’t just some goalkeeper who reached 300 games. He’s been a cornerstone for the Philadelphia Union, probably the best goalkeeper in the MLS over the last few years. He’s the kind of leader who doesn’t need flashy moves, hype videos, or motivational speeches to stand out. He just gets the job done, and does it damn well.

The thing is, U.S. soccer still doesn’t seem to get that all positions matter. It’s the same reason why the MLS is so desperate to bring in big-name European forwards, while the defense is often treated like an afterthought.

If the Major League Soccer actually wants to grow and be respected on the international stage, it has to ditch the video game mentality that only cares about goals and assists. Winning teams are built from the back forward. That means goalkeepers, defenders, and holding midfielders should be just as valued as the stars up top.

Blake has been named the best goalkeeper in the MLS three times, snagged individual awards, made some jaw-dropping saves, and has been the face of the Union for years. But does anyone outside the MLS bubble know about this? Meanwhile, any random European player who comes to the league for a vacation suddenly becomes an overnight sensation.

How many foreign forwards have reached 300 games in the regular season of the MLS? Almost none. Wanna know why? Because most of them come, play for a few seasons, and then either retire or head back to Europe.

Blake, though? He stuck around. Built a legacy, made history with the Union, and showed that you don’t need the spotlight to be a giant. The problem is, without the media hyping him up, his legacy might just slip through the cracks.

Now, if some offensive player scored 300 goals in the MLS, we'd be seeing tributes, documentaries, and maybe even a statue in his honor. But a goalkeeper hitting 300 games? Crickets.