Mon | Dec 16, 2024

Reggae Boyz Blake, Burke, Powell could miss MLS Eastern Conference Championship

Published:Saturday | December 4, 2021 | 8:47 PM
Pause
Andre Blake
File
Andre Blake
Cory Burke Jamaica forward Cory Burke (9) heads the ball away from Guadeloupe defender Kevin Moeson, back left, during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C soccer match, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
File
Cory Burke Jamaica forward Cory Burke (9) heads the ball away from Guadeloupe defender Kevin Moeson, back left, during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C soccer match, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Alvas Powell (No.5)
Ricardo Makyn
Alvas Powell (No.5)
1
2
3

The Philadelphia Union's Jamaican trio of national goalkeeper Andre Blake, defender Alvas Powell and Cory Burke could be at risk of not taking the field for their club's biggest game of the season.

The group were among 11 players who have entered Major League Soccer's health and safety protocols, which were constructed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Union are scheduled to face New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Championship, which kicks off at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

According to the measures, a player is listed as out for quarantine because of participating in high-risk behaviour, quarantine-related to being a high-risk close contact, pending COVID-10 test results, an inconclusive COVID-19 test result, a positive COVID-19 test or a confirmed case or other illness not related to COVID-19.

However, the trio could still clear the protocol in time for the game, provided that they return a negative COVID Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to and before the game tomorrow afternoon.

In mid-October, Union head coach Jim Curtin said that all his players were vaccinated. However, Thursday's scheduled practice was cancelled and training resumed on Friday with reduced numbers. Cutin said that despite the latest adversity being faced by the team, they are not deterred in their goal of a first MLS Cup final appearance in team history.

"Our players have worked tirelessly to get to this point. I know they'll be brave even in the adversity that we're facing," Curtin said in Friday's press conference. "We've stepped up in big moments all year long -- be it international absences, the challenges of Concacaf, players losing loved ones. Adversity on and off the field, this group always finds a way to step up. We will make our fans proud."

Blake, Burke and Powell all played during the Union's Eastern Conference semi-final win over Nashville SC last Sunday, a match which saw Blake make two penalty saves in the shoot-out to lift the Union to the deepest MLS play-off run in their history. Blake was a finalist for the 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, losing out to the New England Revolution's Matt Turner.

The Union are amining for a madien MLS Cup title, after winning the Supporter Shield (regular season championship) last season, their first piece of silverware in club history.

Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.