Jack Blake
- Years with club: 2016
- Position: Midfielder (Central Midfield / Attacking Midfield)
- Nationality: English
- Acquisition: Signed May 26, 2016
Jack Blake is an English midfielder who joined Minnesota United FC during the club’s final season in the North American Soccer League (NASL). A product of the Nottingham Forest academy in England, Blake was an energetic, technical player used in the central midfield. His time with the Loons was brief but marked his first professional contract in the United States, transitioning his career from English lower leagues to North American soccer.
Key stats with Minnesota United (NASL):
- NASL regular season appearances: 11 (7 starts)
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- US Open Cup appearances: 1
- US Open Cup goals: 1 (Scored his first professional goal in the 2016 US Open Cup)
- Total club appearances: 12
- Total club goals: 1
Memorable moments:
- Professional US debut: He made his debut and scored his first professional goal for the club in the third round of the 2016 US Open Cup, a 3-0 victory against Saint Louis FC.
- Youth career: Blake was part of the youth system at Nottingham Forest, having been with the club from the under-10 level up through the academy.
- International experience: He represented the Scotland U19 national team, having earned five caps between 2011 and 2012 through his grandfather’s lineage.
Where is he now?:
- After leaving Minnesota United at the end of the 2016 NASL season, Blake went on to have a highly successful career in the NASL and USL Championship.
- In 2017, he was named the NASL Young Player of the Year while playing for the Jacksonville Armada FC.
- He won the USL Championship Final in 2019 while captaining Real Monarchs.
- He is currently a central midfielder for USL Championship club Indy Eleven, where he has played since 2023.
- Blake has been a key contributor for Indy Eleven, leading the team in goals in recent seasons and earning multiple USL Championship Team of the Week selections. His contract runs through November 2026.
