Defender
Mike Lapper
6' 0"
Biography of retired USMNT soccer player Mike Lapper who was part of the 1994 World Cup squad and now coaches college soccer.
Caps: 43 | Goals: 1
Playing in 44 games for the USMNT, Mike Lapper scored one goal and was a member of the 1994 World Cup team. After retiring as a player with the Columbus Crew, he joined the club’s front office as the Director of Soccer Business Development, which focuses on the growth of the Crew’s camps, clinics and soccer academies. He later served as an assistant coach before leaving to join the coaching staff at West Virginia University.
Before joining the Crew in 1997, Lapper played professionally for Southend in the English first division (1995-97) and with VfL Wolfsburg of the German second division (1994-95). Lapper played collegiate soccer at UCLA where he helped the Bruins win the national championship in 1990.
Youth and college:
Spent four seasons at UCLA from 1988-1991. Lapper was a first-team All-America pick in 1991 and a two-time first-team All-Far West pick (1989 and 1991). He helped the Bruins win the 1990 National Championship.
USMNT Experience
1995
Helped the U.S. win U.S. Cup '95 and advance to semi-finals of 1995 Copa America.
1994
Was a member of the 1994 World Cup team, which advanced to the Round of 16.
1994
Scored his only goal with the national team on Apr. 20 against Moldova in a 3-0 USA win.
1993
Led the U.S. defense in minutes played with 2,205 and was second on the team in starts with 25.
1992
Started for the U.S. Olympic team and played every minute of the summer games in Barcelona.
1991
Debuted on the USMNT on Apr. 7 against South Korea.
Professional Experience
2002
Retired from Columbus on July 11.
2001
Saw action in 24 matches, starting 21 of them.
2001
Scored a goal and assisted on the game-winner against Dallas on June 23 in a 2-1 win, tying his career-high for points in a game.
2000
Appeared in 24 games, starting 20.
2000
Served as a team co-captain.
1999
Played in 31 games, starting 30 of them, logging 2,700 minutes second highest on the team.
1999
Tallied a career high six points with a goal and four assists.
1998
Started seven matches before tearing his left ACL May 9 against Miami causing him to miss the rest of the season.
1997
Played in 20 games, all starts.
1997
Scored his first MLS goal on Aug. 4 against Los Angeles.
1997
Made his MLS debut on June 7 against Tampa Bay.
1997
Allocated to Columbus in June.
1994
Scored a goal with his first shot for VfL Wolfsburg in a 3-0 win over Fortuna Koln on Sept. 25.
