Ethan Finlay got his wish.
The Minnesota United winger burned his former club on Saturday night, scoring the game-winner in a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew SC at a chilly but raucous Allianz Field.
A few days after admitting that "I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't want to beat up on them pretty bad," Finlay was the man on the spot at the far post when his fellow Minnesota native Brent Kallman leaped headlong to head a Romain Metanire delivery across the face of goal for an empty-net finish in the 70th minute.
It was the decisive moment in a match brimming with intensity but short on finishing, with each side entering the night with only one win in their past month's slate.
Goals
- 70' – MIN – Ethan Finlay | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: This one had the crisp, edgy feel of a playoff game, while also showcasing the attacking concerns that could jeopardize both sides' postseason prospects. Slumping Crew SC have now scored just 12 goals across their 14 matches, the third-lowest total in the league, and have netted just five times during their current 1-7 skid.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: When Kallman and Finlay linked up, both euphoria and relief washed across Allianz Field...
- MAN OF THE MATCH: No surprises here. Ethan Finlay earns the nod not only for his goal but his work rate and intensity along the Loons' right flank.
Next Up
- MIN: Saturday, May 25 vs. Houston Dynamo (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE — Full TV & streaming info)
- CLB: Saturday, May 25 at Colorado Rapids (9 pm ET | TSN, MLS LIVE — Full TV & streaming info)
