Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Kansas City is the World Capitol for Soccer and is stacked with phenomenal soccer talent. Here at High School Soccer KC, we are committed to highlighting top female high school soccer talent on both sides of the state line.
In this series, we are featuring Top Committed #KCSoccerTalent and sharing their soccer journeys as well as looking forward to their next chapters playing collegiate soccer. Our desire in this series is to applaud these hard working players, share prime examples of how talented players are in Kansas City, as well as give advice and encouragement for younger players wanting to play soccer at the next level.
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Charlotte Woodward center forward for Staley & KS Rush GA |
Q&A with #KCSoccerTalent Committed Player:
Charlotte Woodward
Grad Year: 2025
Position: 9 - Center Forward
Secondary Position: 7/11 - Wing
High School: Staley (Kansas City, MO)
Club Team: Kansas Rush GA 07
College Commitment: Louisiana Tech University
Division: NCAA Division 1
Conference: C-USA
City, State: Ruston, Louisiana
X - @CharWoodward5
Instagram - @Char.lotteWoodward
Charlotte Woodward, a Top 20 #KCSoccerTalent player from the class of 2025, is a force to be reckoned with. An early 2025 commit, Woodward was a top recruit who makes her presence known on the pitch with her strong abilities, skills, and gifts she brings. Woodward first caught our attention from word of mouth about this scrappy, tenacious, goal hungry forward back when she was in middle school. All we needed to concur with the aforementioned assessment was to watch five-minutes of her game performance. In addition to her tenacity and passion for the game, Woodward's soccer IQ is high level. This can be accredited to her quick thinking, listening, and coachability. If you didn't know she was a hard worker, just watch her off ball movement. When many forwards are resting, Woodward's off ball movement, and positioning creates space and opportunity for her and her team, while confusing and disorganizing the opposing defense. As are many forwards, Woodward is fast, but what makes her speed different is the ability to accelerate in an instant; we have yet to find someone with faster feet - especially on the ball.
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| Charlotte Woodward (center) striking the ball while playing for Staley High School |
HSSoccerKC (HS): What's your favorite thing about playing with your high school teammates?
Charlotte Woodward (CW): I love the family environment and how much we bond together!
HS: Why did you choose to play soccer for your high school?
CW: I chose to play high school soccer because it makes me remember why I love soccer and have fun while playing soccer.
HS: What do you plan to study in college?
CW: I plan to study Business and Sports Marketing
HS: Why did you choose to play collegiate soccer & continue your academics at the university you are committed to?
CW: The environment at Louisiana Tech is elite. I love how the staff and coaches treat the athletes. They care about their mental health and education. The most elite part is the training environment and games. Always at the highest level so I will be able to push myself to my limits at Louisiana Tech.
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| Charlotte Woodward announced her verbal commitment to play collegiate soccer at D1 Louisiana Tech (LA Tech) |
HS: What are you most looking forward to about playing college soccer?
CW: Even though it is scary to move away to another state, I am excited for the new opportunity it will hold for me. I'm excited to move to the warmer weather! I'm also excited to keep growing as a player and a person while I am playing college soccer.
HS: What advice would you give to a younger player in KC wanting to play college soccer?
CW: Do not be afraid to reach out!! And if they don't respond, keep reaching out!! It's very important in the recruitment process to put yourself out there and don't be shy!
HS: What makes KC such a great place for some of the best soccer talent in the United States?
CW: I believe KC has the best soccer talent because we have the best opportunities here! The first women's stadium! A top performing NWSL team with the KC Current! Women's Semi-professional teams! ECNL, GA, and many other successful and amazing soccer programs for the youth!
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| Staley High School Junior Charlotte Woodward represents her high school |
What Others are Saying
When asked to describe Charlotte Woodward, her club and high school teammates say she is an encourager, she will push you & herself, and she is loyal like a sister.
Woodward's past and present soccer coaches and trainers join in the positive attributes of the impressive forward:
"Charlotte is a very dynamic athlete," shares sports performance coach Drake Pollard of Feat Performance. "...most importantly she has invested the time in learning how to become a complete athlete." Coach Pollard has worked with Woodward for many years through sports performance. "As her sports performance coach, there are many different attributes Charlotte has cultivated over the years, but the most important one is her mindset." Coach Pollard continues, "When I first started coaching Charlotte, I noticed very quickly she is an athlete that is all in, willing to learn, and very mentally tough." Coach Pollard believes this is one of the reasons why Woodward will be successful for Louisiana Tech. "These attributes continue to grow throughout the years of training and I would continue to challenge her on and off the field." Coach Pollard concludes that her future success in college is because of her mental strength, "with Charlotte's mindset she is willing to adjust, lead teammates, and carry and push her teammates through challenging times." Coach Pollard shares his final thought about Woodward, "I am very proud of Charlotte and can't wait to see this next chapter for her!"
"Charlotte has an extremely high work ethic," informs soccer trainer Vahid Assadpour of VAST Vahid Assadpour Soccer Training. When asked what about Charlotte Woodward makes her an impact player for her team, Coach Assadpour shares, "Charlotte is technically sound, a versatile player, and coachable; she will execute the task at hand until it is done right." Coach Assadpour believes her commitment attributes to her success, "She has a deep dedication to the game." Coach Assadpour believes Woodward's work ethic makes her the impact player she is and believes she will be a huge asset at Louisiana Tech, "Charlotte is very motivated and driven; she understands that hard work and success go hand in hand."
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| Charlotte Woodward, a top 2025 soccer recruit, commits to play D1 collegiate soccer at LA Tech |
"Charlotte is quite strong technically," says Staley High School Varsity Soccer Head Coach Johnny Chain, "and she understands how to keep the ball to include her teammates in the buildup." When asked what qualities Woodward brings to her position, team culture, and team performance, Coach Chain discusses Woodward's technical skill, soccer IQ, athleticism, work ethic, and ability to be fun-loving. Referencing Woodward's soccer IQ Coach Chain says, "She has a nice understanding of the game and has good input at halftime from a tactical standpoint." Like Woodward's other coaches, Coach Chain is impressed with Woodward's work ethic. "Charlotte shows up to training everyday with the goal of making herself and her teammates better." Speaking to Woodward's fun-loving nature Coach Chain adds, "She also does a nice job of keeping things light at times when the team needs a good laugh." Watching Woodward grow as a player and a person has been a source of pride for Coach Chain, "it's been a pleasure to watch Charlotte grow and mature during her time with us." Coach Chain continues, "her growth off the field has made her a better teammate and player." Woodward's work ethic is not just in soccer, but in the classroom, too. "Charlotte is not afraid to put the work into her craft as a student-athlete; she understands that hard work pays off in all areas of life."
