At the beginning of October, the MLS Players Assocaition released its list of players headed toward free agency at the end of this season.
Minnesota United stalwarts Wil Trapp and Michael Boxall were among those grouped with pending contract options for 2026. Not exactly.
Both veteran had clauses in their contracts based on the number of games played this season and both “options” were triggered in late summer, setting up their returns to the Loons for next season. Trapp shared this news with the Pioneer Press this week, grateful he doesn’t have to go into the offseason with uncertainty.
“That’s nice to just know where you’ll be,” Trapp said. “But again, for us as the veteran players and the guys that have been the league longer, it’s just wanting to win trophies. You just want to find ways to start to cement those legacies of bringing something special to the club.”
Trapp, 32, and Boxall, 37, played vital roles for a Loons team that finished fourth in the Western Conference and have home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs first round series. Game 1 against the Seattle Sounders is set for 8 p.m. Monday at Allianz Field.
Trapp and Bongi Hlongwane were the only two MNUFC players to take the field in all 34 games this season. Trapp led MNUFC in minutes played (2,717), adding two goals and two assists. Boxall was third in playing time (2,651 minutes) across his 31 matches, chipping in a goal and assist.
Both players have been important to a stout United defense that allowed the third-fewest goals in MLS this season. The Loons gave up 39 goals in 34 games, behind only Vancouver (38) and MLS Supporters Shied winner Philadelphia (35).
Boxall served as the Loons’ captain 28 times this season, while Trapp wore the armband five times and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, a pending free agent, put it on once.
The MLSPA said Boxall’s guaranteed compensation was $827,500, while Trapp’s was $552,500.
Young prospect
The Pioneer Press confirmed Thursday that MNUFC is targeting 17-year-old Australian midfielder Haine Eames, who has been playing for Central Coast Mariners in A-League and on the Socceroos Under-17 national team. Last week, Eames was named to The Guardian’s project: “60 of the best young talents in world football.”
Leave a Reply