Michael Steven Lapper (born August 28, 1970, in Redondo Beach, California) is an American retired soccer defender.
While in college, Lapper also played with the local Los Angeles Heat of the Western Soccer League in 1988 and 1989.
When Bora Milutinović moved to a flat-back four defensive scheme, Lapper found himself relegated to the bench in favor of Alexi Lalas.
Lapper began his professional career in 1994 with German Second Division club VfL Wolfsburg in Germany (1994–95).
He continued to start for Wolfsburg until coach Eckhard Krautzun, who had sought Lapper's services, was fired by team management.
The new manager, Gerd Roggensack, had no interest in American soccer players and Lapper found himself unable to even make the substitute list.
[2] Following the 2013 MLS season, Lapper parted ways with the Crew and became a member of the West Virginia University men's soccer staff.