Ethan Finlay

ACQUIRED: Traded from Columbus Crew SC on 8.9.2017

United States international Finlay joined MNUFC on August 9, 2017 and debuted with the club on August 20 at Seattle Sounders FC, scoring his first goal in a 2-1 defeat. He surged from there on out, contributing two assists in a 2-1 victory at Chicago Fire, the lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia Union, the match-winning assist in the 3-2 victory at Montreal Impact and the third goal in the 4-1 win over FC Dallas. In total, the Duluth native notched three goals and three assists in 11 appearances (11 starts) for the Loons during their inaugural campaign.

The midfielder started his professional career with Columbus Crew SC, where he spent six years after being selected No. 10 overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. He first broke out under Head Coach Gregg Berhalter in 2014, leading Crew SC in goals (11) and assists (seven) en route to sharing the club’s Budweiser Golden Boot. Finlay then became the second player in Columbus history to tally double figures in goals (12) and assists (13) in 2015 –– enough to earn him a spot in the MLS Best XI and an MLS All-Star appearance that year.

Finlay started 79 of 79 matches over his four-year career at Creighton University, scoring 43 goals and leading the Bluejays to their first College Cup appearance since 2002 and a record of 21-2-1 during his senior season. Among many accolades, he was named a MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist, first-team NSCAA All-American, three-time first-team All-Midwest Region and two-time Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Year. Additionally, he led the MVC in game-winning goals all four years of his career (20 of 43).

The winger totaled 98 goals and 59 assists and was honored as an NSCAA Youth All-American during his time at Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin. He also played club soccer for FC Milwaukee, winning four state championships, two regional titles and sealing third and second-place finishes at nationals.

2021: Made first start on April 16 at SEA...Scored first goal on July 31 at VAN...Provided first and second assists of the season on August 28 at HOU...Scored second goal of the season on September 18 vs LA...Scored third goal on September 25 vs HOU

2020: Made first start and provided first and second assists of the year on March 1 at POR...Scored first and second goals of the year on July 22 vs COL...Scored third and fourth goals on October 18 vs HOU

2019: Made first appearance on March 2 at VAN...Provided first assist of the year on April 13 vs NYC...Scored first goal of the season on May 18 vs CLB...Scored first goal in the Open Cup on June 12 vs SKC...Provided first assist in the Open Cup on June 18 at HOU...Scored second goal and provided second assist on June 29 vs CIN...Provided third assist on July 3 vs SJ...Scored third goal on July 6 at MTL...Scored forth goal on August 4 vs POR...Scored fifth and sixth goals on August 10 at FCD...Scored seventh goal on September 15 vs RSL

2018: Made first start on March 3 at SJ...Scored first and second goals of the year on March 10 at ORL...Provided first assist of the year on March 17 vs CHI...Subbed off due to injury at halftime on April 22 at SEA...Missed remainder of the season due to an ACL tear

2017: Made MNUFC debut on August 20 at SEA and scored his first MNUFC goal ... Provided first and second assists for the club on August 26 at CHI ... Scored second MNUFC goal on September 9 vs PHI ... Provided third MNUFC assist on September 16 at MTL ... Scored third MNUFC goal on September 23 vs FCD

INTERNATIONAL: Finlay has earned three caps for the U.S. He was first called up in January 2016 under then-Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann and went on to debut in a friendly match against Iceland later that month. As a substitute, he provided the game-winning assist for Jozy Altidore in the 89th minute against Canada in his second appearance with the national team.