Riverhounds sign attacking midfielder Charles Ahl to his first pro contract

File photo courtesy Stetson University

On Wednesday, Riverhounds SC announced they’ve signed midfielder Charles Ahl, a first-year pro out of Stetson University, to a two-year contract with a third-year team option for 2027. The deal is pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

Ahl is the first new player addition to be announced to the Hounds’ 2025 roster.

Ahl was the 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year, leading the Hatters to an undefeated conference record and a share of the A-Sun regular-season title.

– Mid-major conference player of the year
– Captain's armband
– Midfielder

This is the recipe for the Lilleyball party drug of choice.

Welcome to the Burgh, Charles!#UNLEASH https://t.co/EXotGrZOUj

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) January 8, 2025

The attacking midfielder from Winter Park, Fla., was also named to the All-Atlantic Sun First Team in 2024 after being a Second Team selection in both 2022 and ’23.

“Charles is a busy midfielder with the ability to break lines off the dribble and deliver the final pass,” Bob Lilley, Riverhounds head coach, said.

“He was consistently dangerous at our combine and we look forward to seeing him develop here in Pittsburgh.”

As a senior, Ahl posted two goals and five assists, marking the third straight season he posted five or more assists. He finished his career with 18 assists, ending his career seventh in Hatters’ history.

Prior to Stetson, competed for the Orlando City SC Academy and played in the National Premier Soccer League for the Central Florida Panthers, where he was named to the Sunshine Conference Best XI in 2021.

He also earned all-state honors as a high school player for Trinity Prep in his Winter Park hometown.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2025 roster (as of 1/6/2025)

1. Danny Griffin MF (signed through 2025)
2. Kenardo Forbes MF (signed through 2025)
3. Robbie Mertz MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
4. Eric Dick GK (picked up 2025 contract option)
5. Jackson Walti  MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
6. Luke Biasi MF / D (picked up 2025 contract option)
7. Sean Suber D (picked up 2025 contract option)
8. Bradley Sample MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
9. Aidan O’Toole MF (picked up 2025 contract option)
10. Jacob Randolph GK (picked up 2025 contract option)
11. Junior Etou MF (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
12. Illal Osumanu D (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
13. Charles Ahl (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)

Contract Expired

1. Langston Blackstock  F / D –  Signed with Charleston Battery 
2. Edward Kizza F – Signed with Indy Eleven 
3. Dani Rovira MF / D
4. Patrick Hogan D – Signed with Indy Eleven 
5. EJ Johnson  F  (was on one-year deal without contract option)
6. Gabriel Perrotta GK (was on one-year deal without contract option)

Hounds Opted Not To Pick Up Contract Option (Now Free Agents)

1. Pierre Cayet D
2. Babacar Diene  F
3. Kazaiah Sterling F
4. Nate Dragisich MF
5. Jake Kent-Loop D

Others

Pablo Linzoain, a senior high school student at Fox Chapel, was under USL Academy Contract (through the end of this season), which expired at the end of the 2024 season.