Waylon Francis


Waylon Dwayne Francis Box is a Costa Rican footballer who plays as a left-back for Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer.

Career

Club career

Waylon Francis began his career in the youth system of Deportivo Saprissa. He made his First Division debut with Brujas on January 13, 2011 in a match against Barrio México. After a brief stay with Brujas he joined Limón, remaining only for one season with the Caribbean club. In 2012, he joined Herediano. He scored the first goal of his career playing for Herediano at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama against Tauro FC in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League. He was a high-profile subject of racist slants in a game against Cartaginés, prompting the referee to stop the game.
His play with Herediano in the Champions League drew the attention of Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew SC who made him the club's first signing for the 2014 season. Francis made his MLS and club debut on March 8, 2014 in a 3–0 victory over D.C. United. In 2015, Francis was selected along with two other teammates, to participate in the MLS All-Star Game versus Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League. He missed the end of the 2016 season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in early October. On December 1, 2017, Crew SC declined Francis' contract option, ending his four-year tenure with the club.
On 14 December 2017, Francis was traded to Seattle Sounders FC for $50,000 of General Allocation Money.
On 5 February 2019, Francis was traded to Columbus Crew SC for $50,000 of General Allocation Money.

International career

Waylon Francis was part of Costa Rica's Under-23 side. He made his debut with the full national teams during the 2013 Copa Centroamericana against Nicaragua and was a non-playing squad member at the 2014 World Cup.

Personal life

Francis was married to Stephanie Gonzales Dávila, but they were divorced in 2016.
Francis earned his U.S. green card in June 2016. This status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.