Andre Blake Must be Awarded the Start for US Open Cup Final

John McCarthy has been in net for the entire US Open Cup run, but should be supplanted by Andre Blake.
from mlssoccer

It will be tough for Jim Curtin to approach John McCarthy and say thanks for getting us to the US Open final, but you are going to be sitting this one out.

McCarthy, a Philadelphia native, a fan-favorite and the man who has saved the Union in net many times during this Open Cup run that has seen the Union reach the final for the second consecutive season has earned the start.

He saved the Union when he guided his squad through PKs against Rochester Rhinos.  He saved them at Red Bull Arena a man down and through PKs, and kept the clean sheet against the Fire in the semifinal.

There is no question McCarthy deserves the chance, he has done nothing wrong, but it is more about what Andre Blake has done right.

However, Andre Blake is the real deal.

His ten-save, heroic performance earned the 1-1 draw against the Revolution at the weekend, a performance reminiscent of Tim Howard’s against Belgium, and he singlehandedly stole a point for the Union.

Blake has impressed in each start he has made and now just 2 days from the final, should be in net for Union.