ORLANDO, Fla. ā If thereās one player on Minnesota Unitedās squad who demands a lot from himself, itās Ethan Finlay.
A two-goal performance from Finlay on Saturday night earned the Loons their first three points of the season, as well as their first away win of the year ā the latter an achievement they didnāt reach until Aug. 26 in 2017 ā amid warm praise for the winger.
āHeās been working so hard,ā said Minnesota coach Adrian Heath after his team's 2-1 win over his former club, Orlando City. āHeās been a bit frustrated with the level of his own play. One thing about Ethan Finlay, he gives you everything heās got every single time he steps on the field. Heās the same in training, so we know what weāre getting out of him, but this will do his confidence no end-no good. I think heāll be able to build from that now.ā
Finlay gave Minnesota the early lead after connecting with a through ball from Kevin Molino and slotting the ball past Joe Bendik for his first goal of the season in the 12th minute, then scored the eventual game-winner in the 79th minute after finishing a pinpoint cross from Miguel Ibarra.
Finlay was even involved in Orlandoās goal, when a Video Review ruled he fouled Richie Laryea in the penalty box, opening the way for Yoshimar Yotun to convert a penalty kick in the 42nd minute to level the game for the Lions.
Finlay celebrates | USA Today Sports Images
Afterward Finlay brushed off talk of his heroics.
āTonight, wasnāt about scoring goals, but affecting the game in a positive way,ā he said. āI felt I was able to do that ā unfortunately involved in all three goals. Iām proud of myself and this group fought back. Itās an important attribute as we go on this season.ā
Finlay notched a career-high 12 goals and 13 assists for Columbus Crew SC in 2015, helping that club reach the MLS Cup final. But he hasnāt matched those numbers in the past two seasons combined, enduring a loss of form in Columbus before a trade to Minnesota last summer.
Will 2018 prove a ābounce-backā year for the winger? Finlay said each weekās positive effort will decide that.
āItās a long year, thereās going to be ups and downs,ā he said. āIāve said that thereās always two things I can control, itās my attitude and my work ethic. Iāll continue to work hard, whether the results are going our way or not, whether my performance is good or not. Itās about putting a good positive effort out there every time.ā