A pair of UConn men’s soccer standouts, Andre Blake ’13 and Cyle Larin ’14 will represent the program at the 2016 Major League Soccer All-Star game on Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Blake, who earned a berth into the game on July 9 via a fan vote, plays for the Philadelphia Union. He has tallied 17 starts for the Union in his third season, putting together a 6-6-5 overall record. The keeper holds a .679 save percentage and has notched three clean sheets in the net. In addition to stopping 53 opponents’ shots, Blake holds a team-best 1.41 goals against average.
The keeper had a tremendous career in a Husky uniform from 2011-13, earning 36 shutouts in his three years as a starter. Blake was twice named the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and capped off his impressive run as the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year in 2013.
Blake’s 36 career shutouts rank third all-time in program history, while his 46 wins are the fourth most by a Connecticut goalkeeper. In 2013, the keeper amassed a 0.75 goals against average and helped lead the Huskies to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal match. He was named as an NSCAA First Team All-American for the second consecutive season after being tabbed a Third Team All-American following his freshman campaign in 2011.
Larin, who is in the midst of his second season with Orlando City, earns All-Star honors is the youngest player on the roster. The 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year leads the Lions with nine goals in just 18 games played. Additionally, he has scored four goals in 17 matches for the Canadian National Team since the start of the 2014 campaign.
Larin appeared in 39 matches for UConn during his two seasons in Storrs, totaling 52 points on 23 goals and six assists. He was tabbed the American Athletic Rookie of the Year after tallying a league-best 22 goals in 2013, and he earned Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors this past fall. His 1.31 points per game in 2014 ranked 29th among Division I players.
