Andre Blake leaves Chicago Fire game with an injury in 33rd minute

An injury to Andre Blake forced Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin to make the one sub he never wants to make.

Blake, the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, was visibly in pain after catching a floating cross, falling backwards and losing the ball in the 17th minute. He later appeared to exacerbate the injury and was in visible pain when he was forced to make a diving save on a Kacper Przybylko header in the 30th minute.

Joe Bendik replaced the Jamaica international in the 33rd minute with the game still scoreless.

Bendik, the 33-year-old in his 12th season in MLS, last logged minutes in MLS in September 2021 against the New England Revolution. The 1-0 loss in that match was the Union’s last regular season home loss at Subaru Park.

Bendik’s only appearance in 2022 was for Philadelphia Union II in the MLS Next Pro Playoffs. Bendik became the backup keeper when Matt Freese was traded to NYCFC in the offseason. MLS SuperDraft pick Trent Holden was signed as the third keeper while Brooks Thompson is back for a second season with Union II. Thompson regularly trains with the first team.

UPDATE:

Curtin on Blake: "He'll get an MRI." Apparent groin injury. "Sometimes these take a week, sometimes 4 weeks, sometimes 8 weeks."

— Brotherly Game / Philadelphia Soccer Now (@BrotherlyGame) March 12, 2023