Union's Blake is confident in net

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake appeared to be extremely lucky during Sunday's 3-0 Major League Soccer League win over the New England Revolution when a Lee Nguyen 26-yard blast on a direct kick hit both posts.

The one person who didn't feel it was good fortune was Blake himself, which gives a little insight into the confidence the third-year keeper and first-year full-time starter has in his ability.

"Well, people normally say you're lucky when you hit the post, but for me, I don't really think that way because the post is not inside the goal - it's more like the ball hit the post and goes in - so you know it's not like it even saves you if it hits the post and doesn't go in," Blake said. "It's just what it is, but I'm thankful for it not going in."

Earlier in the game, Blake made a sensational stop, diving to his right on a 20-yard bullet from Nguyen, who was his usual dangerous self against the Union.

Blake stayed on the ground for a few moments. After the game, coach Jim Curtin said that Blake had been having some previous shoulder issues, but Blake said he didn't hurt himself while making the save.

"Yeah I'm fine, it had nothing to do with my shoulder, I just had the wind knocked out of me a little bit," he said.

Blake leaves Monday to join Jamaica's National Team, as it will play two World Cup qualifiers, but he will return before the Union's next game, April 2 at the Chicago Fire.

All three Union goals came from crosses into the box from the left side. C.J. Sapong scored twice on crosses by Fabinho and Warren Creavalle, respectively, and Sebastien Le Toux one-timed a Leo Fernandes cross for the third goal.

It apparently wasn't a coincidence that the Union attacked frequently from the left. Curtin was asked if there was anything specific in the game plan in attacking on the left.

"Yes," he said. "And again, I don't want to get into singling anything out, but we had an idea of where we wanted to get at them, and the guys executed well, did a good job attacking down that side. . . ."

Not only did Sapong score twice, but he had to battle Jose Goncalves, one of the more highly regarded center backs in MLS.

"It's a matchup I'm used to," Sapong said. "I'm trying to get a little better at going to the ball and not getting too lost, and struggling with the bigger center backs in this league, but that's a kind of game I like to play. It keeps me in the game and it keeps my warrior mentality."

Sapong is among the more physical forwards in the MLS. New teammate Roland Alberg, who also enjoyed a strong game, was among many impressed with Sapong.

"Magnificent, what a striker," Alberg said. "Two goals - very important for us. He can hold the ball, can score, good header - he's very important for us."

Lost in the loss was the fact that Revolution keeper Bobby Shuttleworth blocked two penalty kicks, one by Ilsinho, in which he made a diving save, and one by Sebastien Le Toux that was kicked at him toward the center of the goal.

"I have never done that before," he said. "It's one of those things, but there were plenty of times where I had the defenders bailing me out."

The pairing of Ilsinho and Alberg in the midfield produced dynamic results. Sapong says what is most impressive is their creativity.

"I think we've always had that within this team, may have been a little bit dormant, but you have guys that have played in the top-tier of Europe and are willing to make those creative plays and make it a fun game for the fans to watch as well," Sapong said. "That's always a good thing."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard