After over 27,000 minutes and 329 games spread across 13 MLS seasons, the legendary Wil Trapp has finally given me the content necessary to complete a list I started in 2014, back when I was still a young man. Now, at the ripe old age of 25, I can complete my ranking of the top five goals in my favorite defensive midfielder’s career — so far.
Why am I doing this, you ask? He’s not a goal scorer, you say? Well, folks, stick with me, and you’ll surely see what I’m getting at. It’s about time the rest of the world put some respect on Trapp’s shooting ability. I’ve been carrying this torch for more than a decade, insisting that the Columbus native has got some magic in those cleats of his, and after witnessing his first two professional goals when I was a teenager, I was always going to be a believer.
Before we get into the highlight reels, a few notes: First, pop your popcorn now so you can throw it into the air while you roleplay being in the stands. That really adds to the experience.
Second, you should know that Trapp scored two goals with his hometown club, the Columbus Crew, before adding three more in Black and Blue. And while this isn’t a Columbus Crew website, we’re not above appreciating spectacular goals from our beloved Wil’s yesteryear, particularly when yours truly is the author.
Third, perhaps for some context as to why I am so passionate about this topic, I want you to know that I was in the Nordecke — Columbus’ supporters section — to witness number one with some teammates of mine, and I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that it remains one of our favorite memories of all time.
Without further ado, the moment we’ve all been waiting for — or at least, that I’ve been waiting for since I was in high school — is finally here. Get ready for the top five MLS goals of the legendary Wil Trapp’s career, ranked from most epic to ever so slightly less epic:
5) 90+9’ - FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United, 6/19/24
We’ve got a spot-kick to kick things off, and while it was a well-taken strike, the context of this one hurts it in the ranking. The 5-3 loss in Dallas was filled with goals, and though it ended as a tough loss, this silver lining made the scoreline look a little better and, at the very least, helped me go to bed with a smile.
4) 29’ - NYCFC vs. Minnesota United, 4/6/25
The latest addition to the list: the clever free kick routine from last weekend. This was a well-executed goal, confusing the keeper and somehow finding its way through the mess of legs in front of the net.
3) 22’ - San Jose vs. Minnesota United, 8/17/21
Who doesn’t love a late run into the box? Trapp finishes off some pretty passing for his first MNUFC goal, and, in my humble opinion, his best one in Black and Blue. This leveler earned the Loons a road point on their way to a fifth-place finish in 2021.
2) 48’ - Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew, 9/13/14
We’re getting into rarified air now, so take deep breaths and take your time. Unless you’ve been watching MLS since 2014, this will be a new treat for you: Wil Trapp’s first professional goal. Enjoy, and take note of where he hits this one from. Might come up again later, who knows.
1) 90+3’ - Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City, 7/21/18
The cream of the crop. If you want the full story, watch the whole video. If you only came for the stunner, skip to 3:00. In the dying moments of stoppage time with the score knotted at one apiece, the captain decides to have a hit. Just imagine you’re listening to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” while you watch the only home goal that Trapp has ever scored. What. A. Beauty.
There you have it, the definitive ranking of Wil Trapp’s five career goals. Two out of five are certified long-range bangers, meaning that 40% of his goals are liable to get any crowd on their feet and send me into hysterics while I try to comprehend what I just witnessed. That’s a better rate than most strikers, so I think it’s pretty clear what the strategy is here: quality over quantity. At least, that’s what this totally unbiased writer thinks.
No, it’s not Trapp’s job to score goals. If that’s how we measured success for defensive midfielders, we’d think nearly all of them were terrible. His role demands defensive discipline, providing a springboard from which his teammates can attack, and he’s done that better than almost anyone in the league across the last decade. A 2016 All-Star nod and an appearance in the 2015 MLS Cup Final are just a few of the credits to his name, along with 20 USMNT caps. He’s rarely the headline stealer or the last-ditch defender, but he’s been both. Though it’s often a thankless job, Wil Trapp and his fellow midfield engines have consistently been just that: the engines that make their teams run.
Wil, thank you for doing the work that no one else wants to do, and thanks for finally completing my list. I’ll see you all again for the top ten ranking: only 13 more years to go.
