Jamaica will likely have to play this summer’s Copa América without captain Andre Blake.
The Philadelphia Union announced Wednesday that the goalkeeper will miss the next four-to-six weeks after surgery to repair a small meniscus tear.
“It was a minor surgery where there were a couple of little loose flaps in there and they cleaned up his meniscus, which had a little minor, minor tear,” said Union head coach Jim Curtin.
Blake’s recovery timeline will make it very difficult for the goalkeeper to join up with the Reggae Boyz at the 2024 Copa América, which starts in just over three weeks.
A four-week recovery for the 33-year-old would prevent him from playing any part in Jamaica’s group-stage opener against Mexico on June 22. If his return-to-play process carries into the long end of his recovery timeline, Blake wouldn’t be able to play unless Jamaica went to at least the semifinals (July 9-10).
However, in quotes published by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Curtin said that he couldn’t make any declarations about Blake’s status for the tournament.
“It’ll be touch-and-go for him [at Copa América],” said Curtin. “He’s not formally out — it’ll be a week-by-week thing. I’m not here to rule Andre out of anything. Four-to-six [weeks] is just a guideline.”
Even if Blake were to return quickly, there will be questions about just how sharp he can be. The veteran has not appeared for the Union since April 30, and Blake has appeared in just eight of Philadelphia’s 19 games during the 2024 season.
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