Players

2012: Toronto FC selected UConn defender Nickardo Blake as the 14th pick of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. He joined the club during preseason camp, but was let go shorty after. Blake returned to Florida to spend preseason trialing with his local NASL club, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Blake, 22, signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on March 28, 2012 following a successful preseason with the club. He wears the number six jersey, last worn by compatriot Lance Laing who switched to number 16.

On April 7th Blake made his professional debut for the Strikers, starting and completing the entire 90 minutes at right back against FC Edmonton in the first match of the 2012 season.

College: Attended the University of Connecticut where he was a starter for the men’s soccer team for during his two years at the school. The right fullback started every game for the Huskies his senior year.

Blake started his college soccer career at East Central Junior College. In two seasons with the Falcons he was a two-time NJCAA Men’s Soccer Second Team All-American, and a NSCAA All-American in 2009. Blake was selected to the NJCAA Region XVI First Team and the Midwest Community College Athletic Conference First Team each year.

Blake was teammates with current Strikers’ goalkeeper Lionel Brown at East Central Junior College and the University of Connecticut.

Personal: Blake moved to the United States as a 13 year-old from Clarendon, Jamaica. He settled in Lauderhill and attended Boyd Anderson High School, where he was a standout on the soccer team, as well as a track star and a field goal kicker for the football team.