Red-hot Union G Andre Blake Primed for Big Challenge in Seattle

CHESTER, Pa. -- Andre Blake can admit it.

In the days following the Union's 2-1 win over Orlando City last week, he watched the replay of his incredible stoppage-time save a couple of times.

And he's still not quite sure just how he managed to stop the last-gasp Adrian Winter volley to preserve the Union's hard-fought victory, calling it one of the top two or three saves of his career.

"It was pure reflex," Blake said. "As I said before, for me, I think there was some divine intervention. It was just lucky to be at the right place at the right time."

While not all have been quite to that magnitude, Blake has been making big saves throughout the first five games of the season - and is one of the big reasons why the Union are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 record.

But the Jamaican goalkeeper has still only made 12 starts in his professional career, so he knows that the Union's upcoming game vs. the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Saturday night (10 p.m., TCN) will serve as an important step for his growth.

"I mean, these are the moments I really live for," he said. "If you want to be a great soccer player, you have to be able to go into situations like these and shine and make a difference."

The Sounders are off to a rough 1-3-1 start but still boast one of the league's premier offensive stars in Clint Dempsey and one of the league's more fearsome home-field advantages, playing in front of 40,000 boisterous fans.

Union head coach Jim Curtin called it a "helpless feeling" trying to yell out instructions from the sideline when his players can't hear him. It could also prove to be a tough spot for Blake trying to bark out his own instructions to the backline during the game.

But the 25-year-old 'keeper has already shown Curtin a lot when it comes to his poise, leadership and, of course, momentum-shifting shot-stopping abilities.

"He's been special, there's no doubt about it," the Union coach said. "We'll still work to push Andre - he's young, he's still getting better each game - but it does make you feel confident that there's a guy back there that can save what he's supposed to save and makes the big saves too to win you a game and win you points.

"There's always a little room for growth, but he's a confident guy. He's got a good, level head on his shoulders, and I think the sky's the limit for him."

Although he said he's played in front of 40,000 fans before, Blake has never before manned the net in Seattle.

But the former top overall pick is ready for the eye-opening experience - and, perhaps, to make another save that secures points for his team.

"I remember going there my rookie year just sitting on the bench and it was amazing," Blake said. "So to know that I get the chance to go out there and play right now against great players, it gives you great confidence. It's a great experience, and something you can later fall back on."

Blake, Barnetta snubbed for weekly awards
Speaking of Blake, his stoppage-time save somehow didn't get enough fan votes to win MLS Save of the Week. Tranquillo Barnetta, too, won't win MLS Goal of the Week for his brilliant game-winning tally in the 90th minute of the Union's 2-1 win over Orlando.

That didn't sit particularly well with Curtin, who chided the voting results in a lighthearted way during his weekly press conference.

"It's not the first time the Internet's got something completely wrong," the Union coach said. "I mean, it's embarrassing, I guess. You know, anyone who knows the game knows that Tranquillo's goal was a special one.

"But we're not too concerned with winning Internet polls. We're concerned with getting better as a team and getting wins."

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