Matt Freese’s ‘maturity, character’ key during Andre Blake absence

Shivant Krishnan Thursday’s match against the New York Red Bulls will be the first for the Philadelphia Union without the players selected for the upcoming Gold Cup.

Alvas Powell and Cory Burke will both be in Orlando ahead of Jamaica’s opener with Suriname, but it is the Reggae Boyz’ presumed No. 1 — Andre Blake — that will be the most important piece to replace.

In Wednesday’s press conference with the media, head coach Jim Curtin appeared to give the nod to Matt Freese over Joe Bendik.

“[Freese] will be called upon to play big minutes for us now with Andre’s absence,” Curtin said. “Him and Joe Bendik will have a job to do, obviously when you miss the best goalkeeper in the league that’s…