OBETZ, Ohio – Wil Trapp and his Columbus Crew SC coaches came into the year thinking he would miss a large portion of the summer.
Trapp was supposed to be preparing for the Olympics, where a promising US under-23 national team full of talent was expected to avenge the “lost generation” of four years ago. But a disappointing qualifying run was capped by a 3-2 aggregate loss at the hands of Colombia in March, and Trapp is now a member of yet another “lost generation,” sitting in limbo between being a youth standout and a full US national team contributor.
The midfielder admittedly was hoping to make a case for a jump to the senior side while in Brazil, and wishes he and his teammates could have lived up to their potential.
“It’s one of those chances that comes around once in a lifetime, so it’s disappointing to not be there,” he said. “But those youth tournaments are huge building blocks for the next wave of players that come into the national team in any country. It’s disappointing to not be there because I think the group of guys we would have had maybe would have taken the next step through that tournament.”
At 23 years old, Trapp has time. The Olympic setback also isn’t his first.
He missed a large portion of the 2015 MLS season while dealing with the first concussion of his career, and the injury derailed what was supposed to be an important campaign for him. But Trapp has had two January call-ups for the full USMNT, is now back to full health, and believes he’s on the precipice of making the next step.
“I think I’m still one of those guys who has to be,” he said. “I’ve had a couple opportunities, but I’ve still been on the periphery for the most part. Obviously, that’s something I want to work on and break through a little more and get some more opportunities. But I’m just focused on good club form and playing well here. That’s, in my eyes, the way to get those opportunities.”
Trapp knows there’s room to better his game, too. The Crew SC linchpin has craves improvement, and wants to add better defensive and physical attributes to his technical skills and passing accuracy. He even used one of US boss Jurgen Klinsmann’s favorite phrases to describe the strides that Trapp is looking to take.
“I want to continue the ball-winning side of the game,” Trapp said. “I think that’s something he looks at, as well, as a major component of someone in that position. They kind of go hand-in-hand. Something I want to work on and something he sees I need to work on. It’s just a nastiness, a comprehensive battling every time you’re in training or on the field.”
Hit with a number of injuries, Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter is “thankful” Trapp won’t be leaving this summer. However, Berhalter said Trapp is a “great player” and believes the youngster is on the level of similarly-aged players like Perry Kitchen, who was on the US roster for the Copa America Centenario.
“By Wil continuing to have good seasons here, I think it will put him in position to be on the national team,” Berhalter said. “I’m not sure when that time will come, but I can imagine it won’t be long coming.”
Trapp isn’t concerned with when that call will come. He is focused on his club form, but will still be thrilled when Klinsmann gives him another chance to show how much he has grown.
“You can’t get in the mind of the coach too much, so all you can do is focus on playing,” Trapp said. “Hopefully when the opportunity comes, you take advantage of it.”
