Ethan Finlay had the ball at his feet, time on his side and a clear look at goal.
Minutes into a July 3 match in Kansas City, the Crew SC midfielder lined up a shot from the right side of the box. It’s the kind of chance he’s buried so often over the past two seasons to earn MLS recognition and national-team attention.
This season, however, Finlay has been on the wrong end of too many highlights. His low shot across goal was saved by Sporting KC keeper Tim Melia in a 3-2 loss for the Crew.