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Both UConn soccer programs are considered major winners in the school’s return to the Big East. But the good news hasn’t stopped there. Earlier today, Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake — UConn men’s soccer legend from 2011-2013 — was named to the MLS All-Star team in 2019.
Blake is one of three goalies selected and the Union’s only All-Star, a mighty feat considering Philly is first in the Eastern Conference. While at UConn, Blake was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, the award given the best college soccer player.
He was the first overall pick for the Union back in 2014 and also earned an All-Star appearance in 2016 — the same year he won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Union games are probably hard to find, but for the next few weeks, you can find Blake manning the posts for Jamaica in the 2019 Gold Cup on the Fox Sports Networks.
There are several other former Huskies in the middle of their 2019 campaigns.
- Kwame Awuah (2013-16) has appeared in all nine games for Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League.
- Cyle Larin (2013-2014) raised eyebrows by signing with iconic Turkish team Besiktas in 2018 and has now been loaned out to Belgium club Zulte Waregem for one year.
- Jake Nerwinski (2013-16) has appeared in 12 games for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
- Abdou Mbacke Thiam (2015-18) was getting steady minutes for United Soccer League (USL) side Louisville City FC until picking up an injury.
- Scott Levene (2014-17) logged one game in league play for Memphis 901 but has also seen action in the US Open Cup.
- Jacob Hauser-Ramsey (2016-18) is teammates with Levene in Memphis and holds eight appearances on the season.