Wil Trapp Bio
William Alexander Trapp (born January 15, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Trapp graduated from Lincoln High School in nearby Gahanna, where he earned recognition as the 2010 NSCAA National High School Player of the Year. He went on to play two seasons of college soccer at Akron before turning professional with his hometown club, eventually becoming a captain and a U.S. international.
Trapp began his professional career with Columbus Crew as a Homegrown Player, the fourth in club history, and spent the better part of seven seasons developing into one of the league’s most reliable holding midfielders. He later represented Inter Miami CF briefly in 2020 before joining Minnesota United as a free agent in January 2021. At the international level, he has represented the United States across youth and senior teams, captaining the U-20 side at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and earning his first senior cap in 2015.
Early Life and Background
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Trapp grew up in the nearby suburb of Gahanna and attended Lincoln High School. He comes from a family with deep soccer roots; he is of Greek descent through his maternal grandfather, a former semi-professional soccer player in Greece. In May 2018, Trapp became a Greek citizen and acquired a Greek passport, adding a second international affiliation to his American upbringing.
At Lincoln, Trapp played only two seasons of high school soccer with the Golden Lions, but he was named a high school All-American in each of those years. He led Lincoln to its first-ever state title in 2009, and was recognized as the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. The following season, he was honored as the NSCAA National High School Player of the Year in 2010. In 2014, Trapp had his number 20 jersey retired by Lincoln, a rare distinction for a young professional still in the early stages of his career.
On the club side, Trapp played four seasons in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with the Columbus Crew Academy, captaining his sides at the U-16 and U-18 levels. He was named the Crew Academy Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010 and was rated as a five-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, eventually committing to play for head coach Caleb Porter at the University of Akron.
Path to Soccer
Trapp committed to the Akron Zips and joined a program that was emerging as one of the top college soccer destinations in the country. He made his collegiate debut on August 27, 2011, notching the game-winning assist against Cleveland State and finishing his freshman year with five assists. As a freshman, he started all 23 games and earned recognition as the top freshman player in the country, MAC Newcomer of the Year, and a place on the All-MAC First Team.
As a sophomore, Trapp was named to the All-MAC First Team for a second consecutive season and earned NSCAA Third Team All-American honors. He tallied three assists in 22 games and scored his only collegiate goal, the winning strike against Bowling Green in the MAC Tournament semifinals. Over his two seasons, he made 45 appearances for the Zips, helping Akron win three MAC titles and qualify for the NCAA Tournament in both years. His performances at Akron accelerated his move to the professional ranks.
Wil Trapp Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
On December 13, 2012, Trapp signed a Homegrown Player contract with his hometown club, Columbus Crew, becoming the fourth Homegrown signing in club history. After missing the early part of his first season on international duty, he made his professional debut on July 7, 2013, starting and playing the full ninety minutes in a 1–0 victory against the Portland Timbers. He was named the club’s Man of the Match after completing 86 percent of his passes and went on to start the final sixteen matches of the season, earning the Crew’s Breakout Performer of the Year honor.
Ahead of his second professional season, Trapp was named vice captain of Columbus, serving as understudy to Michael Parkhurst. He wore the captain’s armband for the first time on May 17, 2014, against Portland, becoming the first Homegrown Player in MLS history to captain a league fixture and, at 21, the youngest captain in league history. He scored his first professional goal on September 13, 2014, in a 2–2 draw against Houston Dynamo and finished the season with one goal in 31 total appearances, including postseason starts in the Eastern Conference semifinals against New England.
Columbus Crew Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Trapp’s 2015 campaign was shaped by injury and international duty, but he delivered when it mattered most. He started all five postseason matches as Columbus made a run to MLS Cup 2015, recording a shot and committing three fouls in the 2–1 defeat to Portland. In 2016, he became the first Homegrown Player in Crew history to be named an MLS All-Star, entering the game as a halftime substitute for Giovani dos Santos in a 2–1 defeat to Arsenal. He signed a contract extension ahead of the 2017 season that ran through 2020.
When Columbus traded Parkhurst to Atlanta United ahead of 2017, Trapp was elevated to full-time captain. Working alongside a five-man leadership council that included Federico Higuaín, Ethan Finlay, Justin Meram, Jonathan Mensah, and Josh Williams, he started all 40 games Columbus played that season, setting personal bests with five assists, more than 3,000 minutes played, and three MLS Team of the Week nods. He marked his 100th MLS appearance on April 15, 2017, in a 2–1 victory over Toronto FC.
Trapp remained captain in 2018 and scored just his second professional goal on July 21, 2018, a long-range strike nearly 40 yards out in second-half stoppage time that gave Columbus a 3–2 victory over Orlando City and was named MLS Goal of the Week. He continued to lead the side through 2019, capping a seven-year run with the Crew that established him as one of the most respected midfielders in the league.
Inter Miami Era (2020)
On January 31, 2020, Trapp was traded to MLS expansion side Inter Miami CF. In exchange, Columbus received $100,000 in General Allocation Money and an international roster slot. His time in Miami was brief, lasting only the 2020 season before he moved on as a free agent.
Minnesota United Era (2021–Present)
On January 5, 2021, Minnesota United announced the signing of Wil Trapp as a free agent. In a statement at the time, Trapp said he was delighted to be joining a team with high ambitions and praised the energy of the squad and the support of the Twin Cities. He has since settled into a central role for the Loons, bringing veteran leadership and defensive cover to the midfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Trapp is widely regarded as a disciplined, ball-winning defensive midfielder whose strengths lie in distribution, positional awareness, and reading of the game. He consistently completes a high percentage of his passes, sets the tempo of possession, and provides a steady shield in front of the back line. His comfort in possession and willingness to start attacks from deep have been central to his value at every stop in his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Trapp’s signature moments include his 2014 distinction as the first Homegrown Player to captain an MLS match, his run to MLS Cup 2015 with Columbus, his 2016 MLS All-Star selection, and his 100th MLS appearance in 2017. His 40-yard strike against Orlando City in 2018 and his captaincy of the U.S. U-20 side at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup are also defining memories of his career.
Wil Trapp Career Wins
While Trapp has not lifted an MLS Cup, his career is decorated with a series of captaincies, All-Star nods, and tournament recognitions that mark him as a consistent winner at club and international levels. He has won three MAC titles with Akron, captained multiple U.S. youth teams to deep tournament runs, and helped Columbus reach the 2015 MLS Cup final.
Columbus Crew Highlights
Trapp made 25 appearances in 2015 as Crew SC advanced to MLS Cup 2015, and he posted a career-high five assists in 2017 while captaining the club to the playoffs. He became the first Homegrown Player in Crew history to be named an MLS All-Star in 2016 and set personal records for minutes played and Team of the Week selections during his captaincy years.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Trapp captained the United States U-20s at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was named to the tournament’s Best XI at the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, and was recognized as the 2013 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year. He also helped the senior U.S. side reach the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, finishing as runner-up.
Wil Trapp Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Trapp is of Greek descent through his maternal grandfather, who was a former semi-professional soccer player in Greece. This family connection helped shape his early love for the sport and led to his acquisition of Greek citizenship in May 2018.
Personal Life
Outside of soccer, Trapp has built his life around the game, with close ties to the Columbus community where he grew up and the Greek heritage that connects him to his maternal grandfather. He has continued to maintain his dual American-Greek identity since obtaining his Greek passport.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Major League Soccer season, Wil Trapp remains a central figure in the Minnesota United midfield, providing veteran leadership and tactical stability. His experience captaining Columbus and representing the United States at multiple levels makes him a calming presence for a Loons side looking to climb the Western Conference standings. Trapp’s role continues to emphasize ball circulation, defensive cover, and organizational discipline.
The 2025 campaign presents Trapp with an opportunity to extend his influence on a young Minnesota squad while contributing to the club’s push toward the MLS Cup playoffs. His familiarity with the league’s demands, having now played more than a decade in MLS, positions him as a key resource for the coaching staff and a steadying influence in tight matches.
With the season still unfolding, Trapp’s combination of experience, composure, and tactical awareness will remain central to Minnesota United’s ambitions in 2025. His continued presence in the holding midfield role reinforces the team’s identity and provides a platform for the club’s attacking players to thrive.