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Veteran midfielder Ethan Finlay thriving for Austin FC in 13th MLS season

colby gordon, austin american-statesman
·3 min read
Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay and his daughter take the field at Q2 Stadium following El Tree's 2-2 tie with the San Jose Earthquakes in late April. Finlay, who'll turn 33 on Aug. 6, is the third-oldest player on the roster and Austin FC's oldest regular field player. He has played more than 300 career MLS games.
Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay and his daughter take the field at Q2 Stadium following El Tree's 2-2 tie with the San Jose Earthquakes in late April. Finlay, who'll turn 33 on Aug. 6, is the third-oldest player on the roster and Austin FC's oldest regular field player. He has played more than 300 career MLS games.

Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay is giving Father Time a run for his money.

Finlay, who turns 33 on Aug. 6 and is El Tree’s oldest regular field player and third oldest on the team — reserve defender Hector Jiménez and little-used forward Will Bruin edge him out in that category — is playing his 13th season in the MLS like someone several years younger.

While most non-goalies around his age are coming off the bench and hoping to squeeze another year or two out of their careers — few players are like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, who are effective into their late 30s — Finlay is thriving as an outside winger.

Splitting time with designated player Emiliano Rigoni at the position for most of the season, Finlay has started the last seven games for El Tree and arguably been the club’s most consistent player during the stretch.

Since May 17, he’s produced four goals and three assists, and while those numbers may not initially be eye-popping, they translate across a full season to double-digits in both, which would put him in elite company.

Austin FC midfielder Ethan FInlay has avoided major injuries throughout his career save for a 2018 torn ACL. He has made at least 30 appearances across all competitions six times, and will do so again when El Tree faces FC Juarez in the second Leagues Cup game.
Austin FC midfielder Ethan FInlay has avoided major injuries throughout his career save for a 2018 torn ACL. He has made at least 30 appearances across all competitions six times, and will do so again when El Tree faces FC Juarez in the second Leagues Cup game.

Finlay credits multiple things to his longevity, but specifically something he calls “prehab” — constantly keeping his body in good condition — as the key to still being productive.

“I’ve had some great role models,” Finlay said. “When I was younger and first entered the league, there were guys doing prehab, and I was like, ‘What the heck are these guys doing?’ I learned a lot about it … and just taking care of your body. Guys that have had long careers are constantly taking care of their body.”

More: Manchester City's Rodolfo Borrell steps in as Austin FC's new sporting director

Outside of a torn ACL that cost him most of the 2018 season, Finlay has been impressively durable in his career, which had stints in Columbus and Minnesota before coming to Austin last year.

He’s made at least 30 appearances across all competitions six times and will do so again this season on Saturday when Austin FC hosts FC Juárez in its second Leagues Cup game. El Tree dropped its opening match of the Leagues Cup 3-1 last Friday against Mazatlán FC of the Mexican league. Juárez and Mazatlán play each other Wednesday night at Q2.

Austin FC players celebrate a goal scored by midfielder Ethan Finlay, center, against the Seattle Sounders on May 17 at Lumen Field. Earlier this season, Finlay became the 28th player in MLS history to record 50 goals and 50 assists.
Austin FC players celebrate a goal scored by midfielder Ethan Finlay, center, against the Seattle Sounders on May 17 at Lumen Field. Earlier this season, Finlay became the 28th player in MLS history to record 50 goals and 50 assists.

Earlier this year, Finlay became the 28th player in MLS history to record 50 goals and 50 assists, and he played his 300th MLS game during El Tree’s 3-1 win over Kansas City on July 15, punctuating the accomplishment with a brilliant one-touch goal.

“I’m just, honestly, really proud of that number because of having to come back from that ACL and having some 130 games past that,” he said. “You see plenty of players who aren’t able to come back from that.”

As Austin FC enters the final stretch of the season, Finlay will likely play a critical part.

And whether it’s providing the periodical goal or assist, or just being a quality player, he’s enjoying every moment of a career he hopes has no end in sight.

“I’m still the same guy I was earlier in my career mentally, and physically I’m probably a bit more tired,” he said. “I’m just fortunate to be out there, be healthy and be able to compete and play the game I love. … When I got into the league 12 years ago, I never thought I’d be here. But I’m extremely blessed, and every day is a great day.”

Saturday's match

FC Juárez at Austin FC, 7:30 p.m., Q2 Stadium, Apple TV, 97.5

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Veteran Ethan Finlay defying time, playing near his peak for Austin FC