Original. Energetic. Authentically Columbus. These are the three pillars that shape the identity of the soon-to-be Columbus Crew SC. But before the men in hard hats are replaced permanently, they have one final project to complete, a job that starts this Saturday afternoon at Crew Stadium.
No one is more versed in the blueprint of this job than Homegrown midfielder Wil Trapp. Authentically Columbus through and through, the Gahanna native starred for the club's Academy, Gahanna Lincoln High School and the University of Akron before inking his professional contract.
Now a highly regarded United States youth international and included in the prestigious 24 Under 24 list, Trapp is the personification of the Homegrown initiative: the player whose development arc is what all clubs' academies want to produce for themselves.
Trapp has only been a rostered Crew player for a little over a year now, but if it feels like he's been ingrained in club culture for many seasons prior. That's because in many ways, he has been.
"It's the one club here in Columbus," said Trapp. "This is the team. From when they started until now, I've always been a big fan, going to the games when my brother, sister and I were really, really young, up until I signed."
As such, Trapp knows the history that exudes from Columbus Crew Stadium in the context of MLS. He knows that this club is responsible for this city's only major professional championship. He's seen it grow in all facets over the years, from the youth programs to the Academy to the in-stadium atmosphere. In many ways, he represents the progress and the model of growth of this sport in this city.
Now that he has a chance to bring it another championship as a major cog of a club that's become one of the most exciting in MLS, it's an opportunity he's not about to pass up.
"I think about it pretty much every night," said Trapp.
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"I keep that goal in mind all the time because that's what you're working for. The ups and downs of a season happen, but as long as you keep that ultimate goal in your mind's eye, you can achieve it."
The goal of simply making it to the MLS Cup Playoffs was a minor step along the way that Trapp is proud to have helped the club achieve. This city has shown that it can create special moments in rallying around its teams. For the first time in four years, the Crew has its moment to shine on the big stage in this city.
"2011 was the last time [the Crew made the Playoffs], and it's been too long," said Trapp. "You look at the Blue Jackets with last year how they made the [Stanley Cup Playoffs], just the electricity around the city and how excited everyone was. We like winners here in Columbus. When you don't win, it's hard for people to really get behind you. I think we owe it to this club, the fans who have been fantastic, the organization, the coaching staff, as well as ourselves – the body of work has been frustrating at times, but we're in a fantastic position moving through into the Playoffs."
It's also an opportunity for the Crew to display its brand of soccer to the MLS community as a whole.
"I think for being my hometown team and for being a small market team, sometimes we don't maybe get all of the hype as a big club in other places, but we're doing things well and we're doing the right things here," said Trapp.
This won't be the first opportunity that Trapp has to earn a trophy in his soccer career, but it's the first opportunity that he has to win one here, and that's special.
"Winning a championship for Columbus will mean that much more because I'm from here."
For his city. For his club. For Columbus.
