About the photo: Woodward (middle row, 5th person from left) is pictured with his team, SC Concordia.
When offered the chance to play abroad, Woodward jumped on it, only to later realize “it was tough going in blind.” He didn’t speak German. He didn’t know how he’d establish residency. He also didn’t know what his new coaches were looking for. However Woodward quickly earned a starting position and played all of the pre-season games.
He says it’s difficult for American players to gain the trust of the coaching staff. The Americans are stereotyped as being athletic but not very technical. In
Hamburg , there are just three other Americans players, two in the first division, and one in the third division.
SC Concordia plays in the fifth division, an in-state league of 18 teams. If the team were to finish at the top of the table, they’d be promoted to the fourth division which is a regional league with a greater opportunity for sponsorship.
“There is more urgency, a level of seriousness…” says Woodward. He explains how the German teams have a different attitude going into games. “In the if you lose, you just finish last in league…” If a team such as SC Concordia finishes in the bottom three, it means relegation to a lower division, in turn “upsetting the sponsors who apply pressure to the managers…who apply pressure to the players.”
Woodward, a Glendora High School Alumni, will be leaving SC Concordia and plans to return home in March to continue pursuing his playing career. In January he was able to spend some time at home in the with his family while the league was on winter break. The season resumes in March and finishes in May.
For other players desiring to play abroad, Woodward advises, “If you get the chance, make it happen. But have a plan for how you will establish residency and where you are going to live.” He says the most challenging aspect is acquiring the visa.
Perhaps we will see Woodward back in action with the LA Storm.
