Wil Trapp pens farewell to Crew fans on social media

It’s been an interesting time following Columbus Crew SC this offseason and business has picked up over the last couple of weeks. Kickoff for the 2020 season is just four weeks away, a new stadium is under construction, the front office has completed meaningful signings in the transfer window and the captain gets traded to Inter Miami.

Wait, what?

Fans learned that former captain Wil Trapp is heading to the expansion side as part of a deal that sees the Crew acquire a 2020 international roster spot and up to $300,000 in General Allocation Money.

The transaction marked the end of a seven-year run in which Central Ohio saw one of its own captain a professional sports franchise. Trapp, a native of Gahanna, Ohio, grew up inside the Crew system. He played for the Crew Academy, went on to thrive at the University of Akron and returned home to sign his first professional contract in 2013.

Trapp’s family is rooted in the sport of soccer and in Crew history. His brother (Christian) and sister (Julia) both played soccer for Gahanna-Lincoln High School, and his grandfather played abroad in Greece. All three accompanied the former Crew captain to the fairgrounds on match day.

Fans have watched the 27-year old grow up right before our eyes. Whether it was his first start against the Portland Timbers in 2013 or his screaming shot howler against Orlando City in 2018, Trapp has grown from a boy into a man.

Given the gravity of his life-changing situation, the former Crew captain took to Instagram to release his statement and a thank you to Black & Gold fans and the city of Columbus.

Trapp’s statement via Instagram:

To the city of Columbus, what can I say? You have been my home since I was a boy. You have embraced me as a son and held me close for 27 years. I will never be the same because of you and I will carry you wherever I go.

To the Club, you fostered my love of this great sport since I was young, you adopted me in as a teenager, and have forged me into a professional for these past 7 years. The experiences on and off the field have been and always will be some of the best of my life. Thank you.

To the Fans; your strength, resilience, determination, and compassion were tested and your mettle withstood what countless others could not. You are an inspiration to me and to countless others. Thank you for never giving up, never giving up on me, this team, this club, nor this city. Thank you for allowing me to share a part in that wonderful story for but a brief time, and for embracing me as your Captain for these past three years, the honor and privilege was truly all mine.

To my Teammates and Coaches; I have forged some of the closest relationships of my life with you, been through the highest and the lowest with you. Thank you for pushing me to be better, to lead, to learn the meaning of culture, and represent this club and city with pride. I have become a better man and player because of you.

Lastly, to my Family, who’s roots here are deep and who have supported me through it all in these 7 years. Without you I have nothing. I have tried to always think about representing you the best I possibly could each time I stepped onto the field, remembering the WHY behind what I get to do everyday. To remember my blessings and those that built so much before me, honoring them and God with my actions. Your strength has become my strength, and your heart, my own.

It’s been an amazing story, with many more chapters to write. Columbus, you will always be Home to me, thank you and see you soon. Wil