COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew SC today announced it has signed Homegrown Player Wil Trapp to a multi-year contract extension. The 24-year-old is in his fifth season with the Black & Gold and was named captain of the club ahead of the 2017 Major League Soccer Season. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used in this transaction. Trapp has made 95 regular-season appearances (92 starts) for Crew SC and was named to the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Roster.
The Gahanna, Ohio native made 30 appearances (29 starts) last season, providing one assist and playing a career-high 2,543 minutes. Per Opta, Trapp was one of only two players to successfully complete more than 1,600 passes (1,734) during the 2016 MLS regular season. Out of the 93 MLS players to attempt at least 1,000 passes that same year, Trapp ranked second in passing accuracy with a rate of 88.06 percent.
“We are thrilled to announce that Wil has committed to remain in Columbus with a new multi-year contract extension. He is one of the leaders of our club, a model professional and an important part of our community,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "He was raised in Gahanna, he is a product of the Crew SC Academy, he played at the University of Akron, he represented our country at the international level and now he is the captain of Columbus Crew SC. Wil has illuminated a path for any young players in Ohio who are hungry for success in this sport.”
Trapp was signed by Crew SC as a Homegrown Player on December 13, 2012 at the age of 19. He made 16 appearances (all starts) during his debut season in 2013, notching one assist and playing 1,389 minutes. That year, he was also awarded the “Breakthrough Performance of the Year” honor by Crew SC.
The midfielder was named vice captain ahead of his second season with the club. He made 28 appearances (28 starts), scored his first career-goal, and provided four assists in 2014, a year in which he was named to and represented the Black & Gold at the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game as part of the AT&T MLS All-Star Game festivities.
Trapp followed up in 2015 with 19 appearances (17 starts) and notching three assists while playing a key role in Crew SC’s run to MLS Cup. The midfielder also made his first All-Star appearance in 2016, as he was on the AT&T MLS All-Star side that played against Premier League club Arsenal on July 28.
“I’m excited to stay here in Columbus and build this club and its brand on and off the field,” said Trapp. “It’s a wonderful opportunity with a great group of players to continue to push this club, style of soccer and my career forward. Playing in Columbus means a great deal to me and my family and I am humbled to remain a Crew SC player.”
At the international level, Trapp has earned two senior National Team caps for the United States. He earned his first cap for the Stars and Stripes on January 28, 2015 in a friendly against Chile, entering as a second-half substitute. Trapp earned his second senior team cap for the U.S. against Canada on February 6, 2016 helping the squad to a 1-0 victory.
At the youth level, he has been a member of the Under-14, U-15, U-18, U-20 and U-23 U.S. National Teams. In March 2016, Trapp was called-up again by the U-23s ahead of their home-and-home playoff against Colombia for a berth in the Summer Olympics. He started as the team's captain and played all 180 minutes over both contests, with the first coming at Colombia (March 25) and the second in Frisco, Texas (March 29). He participated in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, winning the U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Award that same year.
Prior to being signed by Crew SC, Trapp made 45 appearances (all starts) for the University of Akron over the course of two seasons (2011, 2012). He twice earned All-Mid-American Conference First Team honors (2011, 2012) and was the MAC Newcomer of the Year in 2011. A product of the Crew SC Academy, Trapp served as the team captain for the U-16 and U-18 Crew SC Academy squads, twice winning the Crew SC Player of the Year Award (2009, 2010).
Crew SC next faces D.C. United on March 18 at 7 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Black & Gold return home on March 25 to host the Portland Timbers for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.
TRANSACTION
Columbus Crew SC signs midfielder Wil Trapp to a multi-year contract extension on March 14, 2017. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) was used in this transaction.
Name: Wil Trapp
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 150
Born: January 15, 1993 in Columbus, Ohio
Hometown: Gahanna, Ohio
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Trapp was signed by Columbus as a Homegrown Player on December 14, 2012 and signed to a multi-year contract extension on March 14, 2017.
Previous Experience: Columbus Crew SC (2013-present)
