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Riverhounds sign former WVU All-American defender Max Broughton to reinforce back line

Photo courtesy West Virginia Athletics

Riverhounds SC has signed defender Max Broughton, a West Virginia University All-American and former England youth international, to bolster the team’s back line entering the 2025 season.

Broughton, a 23-year-old native of Rawtenstall in the northwest of England, signed with a club option for 2026, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

“Max reads the game well and makes good decisions on the ball. His composure for a young player stands out and should serve him well adjusting to the pro game,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said.

“We are excited to have him on board for 2025 and beyond.”

For now, Broughton stands tallest among the Hounds back line at 6’2″ .

Broughton was recruited by WVU’s Dan Stratford, a fellow native of England. Prior to his time at WVU, Broughton played three seasons at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville,

With the Mountaineers, Broughton appeared in every match over the past two seasons for the Mountaineers as the team reached the 2023 College Cup semifinals and won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in 2024. Broughton led the team in minutes played in both of his seasons in Morgantown, and last season, he was named a Second Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches and First Team All-Sun Belt anchoring a defense that was fourth in the nation with 10 shutouts.

At SIUE, Broughton was a Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 2021. Across both schools, he finished his college career with eight goals and five assists, starting all but three games in which he appeared.

Broughton first came to the U.S. after playing his youth career in the academies of Bolton Wanderers and Salford City in his native England. He also made three appearances for England’s Under-17 National Team, which included captaining the squad in his debut against Turkey on Aug. 18, 2017.

Broughton is the fourth new addition for 2025 to the Hounds.

John K’s Immediate Thoughts on Max Broughton Signing

Watching the Hounds train on Monday, Broughton stood out, if for any other reason for his composure and physical presence (including his height and bright hair).

Playing alongside a few veterans on the back line in some of the scrimmages and drills, he more than held his own.

Bob Lilley has always had a keen eye for budding defending talents out of some prominent regional college programs which have reached College Cups and National Championships.  These are all players who Lilley’s had significant exposure in seeing and for whatever reasons, have slipped under the radar and have become good fits at the USL Championship level.  Just look at the Hounds’ roster in recent years — Illal Osumanu and Nate Dossantos (Marshall), Shane Wiedt, Robby Dambrot and Arturo Ordonez (Pitt), Thomas Vancaeyezeele (Charleston) and now Broughton (WVU).  Luke Biasi (Syracuse) and Sean Suber (Charlotte) are others with similiar backgrounds and experience levels when they signed with Pittsburgh.

With his pedigree that includes playing at very high level as youth/academy player in Europe and contributing to a revitalized WVU program that reached a College Cup and achieved a No. 1 ranking in 2024, Broughton should be an asset to a back line that brings back three experienced, battle-tested defenders and were among the best in the league a year ago.

Look for another one or two center backs to be added to the mix to provide much needed roster depth.

With the additions of Broughton and proven veteran scorer, Augi Williams, this week, the Hounds now have 17 players signed to the roster.  Trialists will continue to complete in the coming weeks for more roster spots, as the Hounds certainly need more options and depth added to the roster on the flank and at outside back, plus another forward or two and a third string goalkeeper.

Riverhounds 2025 Roster (as of 1/29/2025)

  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. Bertin Jacquesson F (signed for 2025, with contract option for 2026)
  14. Charles Ahl MF (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
  15. Brigham Larsen F (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
  16. Augustine ‘Augi’ Williams F (signed for 2025, with contract option for 2026)
  17. Max Broughton D (signed for 2025, with contract option for 2026)

Riverhounds Projected Depth Chart

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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