Wisconsin Soccer Central

As Ethan Finlay (Marshfield) was wrapping up his breakout 2014 season with the Columbus Crew, the Major League Soccer club signed the midfielder to a two-year contract extension. On Monday, on the heels of another huge season, Crew SC announced that Finlay has signed another contract extension.

Terms of the latest deal weren't disclosed. Finlay's guaranteed compensation for the 2015 season was $142,500, according to the MLS Players Union.

The 25-year-old Finlay set career highs with 12 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances (all starts) in 2015 and was named to the MLS Best XI, becoming the first Wisconsin player to make the honor team. He's currently in training camp with the U.S. national team in Carson, Calif., after his first international call-up.

"Ethan has performed at an extremely high level over the past two seasons and we are pleased to have him commit to the club long term,” said Gregg Berhalter, the Crew's sporting director and head coach. "He is an important part of the core of this team, has embraced the playing style and embodied the team culture from Day One. We feel his national recognition is a result of his day-to-day efforts and we look forward to helping him build on his performances in 2016 and beyond."

Since scoring his first career goal May 17, 2014, Finlay has 23 goals and 20 assists in regular-season play – the only MLS players with more combined goals and assists in that span are the Los Angeles Galaxy's Robbie Keane (55) and the New York Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips (44).

"I've enjoyed my time at Columbus Crew SC and I'm honored to receive this extension," said Finlay, who was the 10th pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and helped the Crew advance to MLS Cup in 2015. "I hope we'll have many more good years ahead of us and I'm happy to be part of this organization for years to come."

On Twitter: @EthanFinlay13

• Kinley McNicoll (UW) was one of 145 players on the preliminary list of players eligible for selection in the National Women's Soccer League College Draft, which is Friday in Baltimore. McNicoll, a Canadian youth international, had 22 goals and 29 assists in 78 appearances (76 starts) as a midfielder and defender with the Badgers. She was a first-team All-Big Ten Conference pick in 2014, a second-team choice in 2013 and made the All-Freshman team in 2012. On Twitter: @kinleymcnicoll
• Whitefish Bay's Peter Wilt will leave his role as club president of Indy Eleven of the North American Soccer League and join sports consulting firm Club 9 Sports, a group pursuing an NASL team in Chicago. Wilt will continue as Indy Eleven's general manager into the team's spring season. On Twitter: @PeterWilt1