Refuse to Lose: Cole Freeman’s Commanding Rise in the Hops Net
Wearing jersey No. 0, Cole Freeman has stepped into the Charlotte Hops FC net with presence and poise well beyond his years. In his first season with the team, the goalkeeper from Ardrey Kell High School has already made an impression, backed by a work ethic rooted in resilience and a vocal leadership style that commands the backline.
Freeman made his Hops debut on May 23rd against Burlington United FC, coming on in the second half and immediately making his mark with several impressive saves. Given the opportunity, he didn’t hesitate. He took it, just like he did in high school to pave the way for his future in soccer.
“It was definitely up and down. I was a benchwarmer until four games into my sophomore year,” Freeman recalls. “Got an opportunity to start and ran off from there.”
After beginning soccer at the age of two, Freeman worked his way through the Charlotte Soccer Academy system for four to five years. When the U.S. Development Academy dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, he started from the bottom at CSA and pushed his way back up. His hard work didn’t go unnoticed. After training with the Hops last summer, he officially joined the team once he turned 18.
“My biggest strengths are that I’m vocal, I’m good with my feet, and I claim the box. I own the 18-yard box,” Freeman says.
His goals for the future are clear: lock in a college commitment by the end of summer, continue building physically and elevate his game to the next level. Off the field, he’s just as driven. He graduated high school with three associate degrees while also working as a goalkeeper coach for soccer and futsal at CSA.
Freeman credits his parents for keeping him grounded and motivated. “My mom backs me with everything I do. My dad, he was the motivator. He’d get me out of a rough slump or keep me focused when times were good,” he shares.
“The level here is a lot faster. The guys are a lot bigger,” he adds. “You have to really be confident in yourself, or else you’re going to get hurt.”
He plays with a mindset rooted in one phrase: “Refuse to lose.”
“This experience has taught me that I can compete at this level,” Freeman says. “Hopefully it’s going to allow me to play at the highest level possible, even beyond college if that’s an option.”
To high school players chasing the next level, Freeman has an important message. “Don’t ever sleep on an opportunity. Treat every chance like it’s your last, and pursue it with everything you’ve got.
Sage Branch