Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp knows what it feels like to a win a trophy for your hometown. Back in 2009, the Gahanna native led his high school team to its first state championship. Six years later, Trapp has his sights set on a larger trophy - the MLS Cup.
As a Homegrown player, Trapp is well aware of what it would mean for Columbus to celebrate another national championship, seven years after Crew SC captured the first major league trophy for the city.
“It would mean everything,” the Crew SC vice captain says. “The excitement of the city, the crowds we’ve had this year, the way we play—I think being kind of a grassroots city with one of the first teams in the League starting here, it just means a lot when one of those teams really wins the whole thing.”
Crew SC won the MLS Cup in 2008, and Trapp says the city is due for another one.
“It’s been too long, in a lot of ways, since we’ve won,” he says, “and I think we owe the city, we owe ourselves. The coaching staff, the training staff has put in so much effort and so much work, and we’re prepared. It’s just all about execution now.”
With their first playoff match, a 2-1 loss at the Montreal Impact, under their belt, the road to the Cup may be challenging for the Black & Gold. But Trapp is someone who knows a thing or two about overcoming challenges. His year has been somewhat of a whirlwind. After earning his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team in January and a successful start to the MLS season, Trapp experienced a concussion in Crew SC's match in Vancouver on April 8, causing him to face an uphill battle back to the pitch.
“I would say it’s been up and down, but since recovering from the injury, I’ve felt great back on the field—kind of back at home, ironically,” he says. “It’s been a battle, it’s been a long journey, but I couldn’t be happier to be in this position with the team and pushing forward into playoffs with a little bit of a hot streak and feeling good about it.”
Trapp was sidelined for nearly three months and 13 MLS regular-season matches due to his injury. But he picked up right where he left off. In his first appearance back from injury in Crew SC’s U.S. Open Cup match at Orlando City SC, his passes were accurate, his touches were clean and everyone knew Trapp was back.
Since then the midfielder has been the anchor in Crew SC's midfield, exercising control and composure on the pitch throughout the scond half of the season. But Trapp wouldn't be Trapp if he didn't credit teammates for his performances.
“I think a large part has to do with my teammates,” he says, “just relying on them when you go through tough spells, when you go through good spells, and never keeping your highs too high and your lows too low—just trying to stay right in the middle of everything with an even keel.”
Trapp says channeling his efforts on the field to help his teammates increases his level of play and causes him to forget about himself.
“The support system from family and friends is a huge positive for me,” the 22-year-old says. “They’re always there. They’re at every home game, some away games as well, so that’s something I maybe take for granted sometimes; but I’m very, very fortunate to have that support system in place.”
It would mean everything to the midfielder to pay back his friends and family, as well as the Crew SC faithful, for their support by bringing home the Cup.
Watch Wil Trapp and his teammates continue their Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs run on Sunday, November 8. The Black & Gold host the Montreal Impact for the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium is set for 5 p.m. There are still tickets avaialable. Get them here.
