Riverhounds sign rookie defender Lasse Kelp

Riverhounds SC has signed first-year pro defender Lasse Kelp to a one-year deal with a team option for 2027, pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

Kelp, 23, just completed his college career at the University of Maryland, where he was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist as one of the top 15 players in college soccer in 2025. The Terrapins conceded just 12 goals in the regular season last fall and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight before losing to eventual champion Washington.

Kelp also was selected in the third round of this year’s MLS SuperDraft but went unsigned by D.C. United.

“Lasse is a young, left-footed center back coming off an outstanding senior year at the University of Maryland. From our first conversation, it was clear he has the mindset and work ethic to become a strong professional,” Dan Visser, Riverhounds Sporting Director said.

Originally from Bonn, Germany, Kelp began his college career at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, where he was a three-year starter for the Retrievers. He was a two-time All-America East First Team selection for UMBC, and across his full college career, the defender contributed five goals and five assists.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Kelp spent the last three years of his youth career with SC Fortuna Köln in his native Germany, appearing for the club at both the Under-19 and Under-23 levels.

John K’s Thoughts on Signing of Lasse Kelp

With the addition of Kelp, the Riverhounds roster of field players heading into the 2026 regular season appears to be mostly complete.

Much like the addition of another first-year player, Owen Mikoy, the signing of Kelp provides the Riverhounds with a pair of young, promising players along the backline who will provide depth and will make the Pittsburgh center back rotation filled with a plethera of first and second year players who could all be under contract for at least the next two seasons, in addition to Illal Osumanu.

Much like the additions of Beto Ydrach and Guillaume Vacter a year ago, Kelp is a battle-tested collegiate player who comes to Pittsburgh a little less under the radar since he was a MAC Hermann semifinalist at Maryland.  The Riverhounds have in recent years valued intangibles such as durability and leadership when adding young players to the roster, and it appears that Kelp fits this bill.

The German is also known for his aggressive slide tackling, earning 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors while anchoring one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division I the past few years (nine clean sheets and surrendered just 12 goals in 2025).

Kelp has also been a player who has come up with a goal in crucial moments, including a 2025 late-match equalizer against Penn State.

With 22 players signed, all but one being field players, t

Riverhounds 2026 Roster (as of 2/20/2026)

1. Junior Etou — MF — (re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
2. Illal Osumanu — D –(re-signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
3. Charles Ahl –MF — (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
4. Brigham Larsen — F — (signed for 2025-26, contract option for 2027)
5. Jorge Garcia — MF — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
6. Guillaume Vacter — D — (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
7. Beto Ydrach — D — (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
8. Perrin Barnes — D — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
9. Bradley Sample — MF – (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
10. Jackson Walti — MF – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
11. Danny Griffin — MF / Captain – (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
12. Robbie Mertz — MF  – (signed for 2026-27, contract option for 2028)
13. Nico Campuzano — GK – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
14. Eliot Goldthorpe — MF – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
15. Albert Dikwa — F — (reacquired from Rhode Island — terms TBA)
16. Victor Souza — D – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
17. Warren Agostini – MF – (USL Academy Contract)
18. Trevor Amann — F — (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
19. Owen Mikoy – D (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
20. Aldi Flowers-Gamboa – MF/F – (USL Academy Contract)
21. Sam Bassett – MF – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)
22. Lasse Kelp – D – (signed for 2026, contract option for 2027)