Minnesota United FC has announced it has acquired midfielder Ethan Finlay from Columbus Crew SC in a trade 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. The midfielder, born in Duluth, Minnesota, brings MLS and United States national team experience to the Loons’ attack.
“I'm thrilled to be joining a club that is in its early stages in Major League Soccer,” said Finlay. “The opportunity to play in the state I was born is a boyhood dream come true. I hope to make an immediate impact on the field.”
Finlay, 27, has spent the past six years of his professional career in Columbus after being selected tenth 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 All-Star appearance that year.
In addition to his extensive MLS experience, 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.
“Ethan is a player with incredible energy, enthusiasm and drive,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I have been a big fan of his for a long time, he gets into pockets of space and is incredibly dangerous on the attack. Another huge plus for us is that he has been to finals in MLS and he has been at a club where they play a similar brand of football.
“Last but not least, the fact that he is from Duluth and knows where he is coming is huge. He wants to come to Minnesota. We are a different part of the world up here in Minnesota and he wants to come here. We didn’t have to sell anything to him, which speaks volumes.”
Finlay has made 19 appearances, including 14 starts, during the 2017 MLS campaign as a right midfielder, attacking midfielder and right wingback. He has one goal and one assist to his name so far and will look to add more under Heath.
Minnesota United FC returns to MLS action against Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, August 20 at 9 p.m. CT at CenturyLink Field.
Transaction: Minnesota United FC has announced it has acquired midfielder Ethan Finlay from Columbus Crew SC in a trade 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 on August 9, 2017.
