*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:10, October 22, 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of February 5, 2016
Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Finlay's family moved across the U.S. during his childhood and he grew up in Minnesota, North Carolina and Wisconsin where he played high school soccer for Marshfield, Wisconsin as well as youth soccer for FC Milwaukee.[1][2]
Finlay played college soccer at Creighton University between 2008 and 2011. Ethan finished his career in the top 5 all time in Bluejay scoring,[citation needed] and leading the Bluejays to the 2011 NCAA Final Four in Alabama. During his time at Creighton, Finlay was a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy finalist (3), finishing second in the voting for College Soccer's player of the Year award in 2012, the first ever player from Wisconsin to be a finalist for college soccer's most prestigious honor.[citation needed] Finlay was a NSCAA All-American First Team 2011, NSCA Academic National player of the Year 2011, College Soccer News All-American First Team 2011 and was Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011.[citation needed] Finlay was elected as the Fred Ware Award winner in 2011 as Nebraska's College Athlete of the Year.[3]
Professional
Columbus Crew selected Finlay in the first round (No. 10 overall) of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.[4] Finlay made his debut during a 2–0 loss at Colorado Rapids, coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Dilly Duka in the 12th minute on March 10, 2012.[5] Ethan scored his first MLS goal vs the Portland Timbers in a 3–3 tie in May 2014.
On August 9, 2017, Finlay was traded to Minnesota United FC in exchange for $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money for the 2017 Major League Soccer season, $250,000 in Target Allocation Money for the 2018 MLS season and $75,000 in General Allocation Money for the 2018 MLS season.[7]
On December 20, 2021, Finlay signed as a free agent on two-year deal Austin FC.[8] As a role player for Austin FC, Finlay has continued to produce. Becoming the sixth active player with 50 goals and 50 assists in his career, after he produced one of each in a 2–1 win against Seattle Sounders FC.[9]
International
Finlay made his international debut for the United States men's national soccer team on January 31, 2016, in an international friendly against Iceland. In his second game with United States men's national soccer team, Finlay recorded an assist on the USA's game-winning goal against Canada. Finlay was eligible to represent the United States, his country of birth, or Canada, through his Canadian father.[10] He was cap-tied for the United States in the March 29, 2016, qualifier versus Guatemala.
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