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Finlay comes off bench, sets up 89th-minute winner as U.S. tips Canada

02/08/2016, 8:30pm CST
By ERIC ANDERSON
Ethan Finlay / U.S. Soccer photo

Ethan Finlay (Marshfield) didn't get much time on the pitch in his second cap for the U.S. national team Friday night, but the Columbus Crew midfielder still made a huge impact.

Finlay came on as a sub in the 88th minute of a friendly against Canada and played in a perfect cross that set up Jozy Altidore's game-winning goal a minute later as the U.S. pulled out a 1-0 victory at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif. (Watch below)

Moments after replacing Jordan Morris, Finlay found himself alone in plenty of space on the left flank and got a pass from Michael Bradley. Canadian defender Doneil Henry tried to close down Finlay, but the former FC Milwaukee attacker worked around him and played a ball to the far post, where Altidore got up in front of Samuel Adekugbe and headed it past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau for the lone goal.

The 25-year-old Finlay, who was named to the Major League Soccer Best XI in 2015, earned his first cap in the Americans' 3-2 victory over Iceland on Jan. 31 at the Stub Hub Center.

The U.S. extended its unbeaten streak against its northern neighbors to 17 matches, and hasn't lost to Canada on home soil since 1957 – coincidentally, Finlay's father, Brent, was born in Canada.

Next up for the U.S. are a pair of CONCACAF 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala, March 25 in Guatemala City and March 29 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio – the home field for Finlay and the Crew.

On Twitter: @EthanFinlay13

Tag(s): Home  Set Pieces  U.S. National Team  International