Andre Blake gets Jamaica National Team call-up

Andre Blake is set to miss this Saturday's match against the San Jose Earthquakes, as he'll be with the Jamaican National Team as they do a home-and-home series with Nicaragua in the first round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. The 24 year old goalkeeper will look to supplant Ryan Thompson in goal for the Reggae Boyz in their first action since losing to Mexico 3-1 in the 2015 Gold Cup Final in July. Blake did not feature for Jamaica, even when Dwayne Miller sustained a head injury during the July 14 match against El Salvador. Blake was coming off of his second meniscectomy in six months, and it was thought Thompson (who plays for the USL's Pittsburgh Riverhounds) was the safer choice.

Blake has made nine appearances for Jamaica, and won the Golden Gloves award during the 2014 Caribbean Cup. Jamaica is scheduled to host Nicaragua on Friday, September 4 and will go to Managua on Tuesday, September 8 for the second leg of the series.