The following is a press release from the communications department of Columbus Crew SC.
COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC today announced that midfielder Ethan Finlay has received a senior United States men’s National Team call-up from head coach Jürgen Klinsmann. Finlay is set to join the senior team in advance of two CONCACAF qualification contests for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Ethan Finlay Called Up To USMNT Ahead of March World Cup Qualifiers
Finlay and the USMNT have two matches against Guatemala as part of Group C play in Fourth Round CONCACAF qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Stars & Stripes play in Guatemala City on March 25 before traveling to Columbus for the rematch at MAPFRE Stadium on March 29 in a contest presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance. The call-up for Finlay is his second all-time after previously receiving the nod from Klinsmann for U.S. Soccer’s annual January camp earlier this year. Finlay earned his first and second caps during that camp, recording a game-winning assist during his second appearance on February 5 against Canada at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
During the contest in Columbus on March 29, both Finlay and Black & Gold teammate Rodrigo Saravia (who was previously called up by Guatemala) could become just the fourth and fifth players to ever appear in a senior international match at MAPFRE Stadium while a rostered member of Columbus Crew SC. The first three players to achieve that feat to date are Brian McBride (2001, 2003), Frankie Hejduk (2003, 2005, 2009) and Tony Sanneh (2004), all for the United States.
Additionally, before joining Columbus Crew SC, current Black & Gold players Conor Casey (2004) and Michael Parkhurst (2013) as well as Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter (2000, 2001, 2005) and Assistant Coach Josh Wolff (2000, 2001) have all previously appeared in senior international matches at MAPFRE Stadium, all with the Stars & Stripes.
Of the 26 players currently on the Black & Gold active roster, 14 have received a senior National Team call-up throughout their careers (Harrison Afful, Corey Ashe, Conor Casey, Finlay, Waylon Francis, Kei Kamara, Ola Kamara, Emil Larsen, Cedrick Mabwati, Justin Meram, Michael Parkhurst, Rodrigo Saravia, Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp).
The Black & Gold continue the 2016 Major League Soccer campaign by playing their second of three consecutive road regular-season contests on Saturday, April 2 at FC Dallas.
