NPSL, Stetson University Standout Charles Ahl Finds Home with Pittsburgh Riverhounds
By Colton Coreschi/NPSL.com
As the Pittsburgh Riverhounds get their preseason training underway, if you pay attention to the center of the field during practice, you’re likely to see a new face in midfield spending a lot of time on the ball and looking comfortably at home.
Charles Ahl impressed at the Hounds’ combine and first week of camp, and earned his first professional contract with the club for the 2025 and 2026 USL Championship seasons. Coming off an impressive four-year tenure with Stetson University and in the National Premier Soccer League with his hometown Central Florida Panthers, the reigning ASUN Conference Player of the Year now finds himself following in the footsteps of dozens of NPSL players before him into the professional ranks.
“Stetson was a great time,” Ahl said of his collegiate experience. “All four years I was there were good, especially my junior and senior years. I had a lot of assists in my time there, and I think that’s what I’m good at – making players around me better, getting them goal-scoring opportunities.”
Ahl was a prolific talent while captaining the Hatters, registering at least five assists every year and 18 total over his career. As the midfield engine of the team, Ahl led the Hatters to an undefeated ASUN Conference record, earning All-ASUN First Team honors and NCAA All-Region honors.
“Charles epitomizes our program and will be a true ambassador of Stetson University as he begins his professional journey,” Stetson head coach Emmett Rutkowski said. “He truly changed the trajectory of our program as a player, but most importantly, as a person. He exemplifies all the best qualities you want in an elite student-athlete: high intelligence of the game, elite athleticism and technical skill, and selfless service for the good of the team. I couldn’t be more proud of him, and I’m looking forward to following his journey.”
As he left his mark on Stetson’s soccer program, Ahl was also honing his skills in the NPSL as a leading member of the Central Florida Panthers. There, Ahl earned Best XI honors in an extremely competitive Sunshine Conference in the 2021 season – an opportunity that meant a lot to Ahl personally and for his development as a player.
“It was an honor to play at home for my hometown team,” said Ahl. “The NPSL is a good level, especially for college guys in the summer. It’s good to get touches on the ball and keep your level up, and there was really good competition in Florida in the league.”
“The NPSL is great, it has a ton of division one players coming from all over,” Ahl added. “It keeps your level high in the summer and keeps you fit. It was really helpful preparing me for every season in college.”
Ahl’s performances caught the eyes of professional clubs, many of whom had familiarity with the talented midfielder from his days in the academy system of MLS club Orlando City SC. But ultimately, it was the Riverhounds who brought Ahl into their combine, where he thoroughly impressed and earned his spot on the club’s roster.
“Charles is a busy midfielder with the ability to break lines off the dribble and deliver the final pass,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “He was consistently dangerous at our combine, and we look forward to seeing him develop here in Pittsburgh.”
“Bob [Lilley] has a lot of experience, and I really thank him for bringing me in and taking a chance on me,” Ahl said of Coach Lilley’s expectations. “He wants me to be that creative spark, whether that’s starting the game or off the bench. Just getting on the half-turn, getting players involved, making the guys around me better, and at the end of the day generating goal contributions, because that’s what wins us games.”
Those skills and qualities that make Ahl a force pushing the ball forward through the midfield are key qualities the Hounds sought to address this offseason. With the top defense in the USL Championship in 2024, it was offense that was the focus of much of the Hounds’ off-season, where the club sometimes struggled to generate chances and to finish them.
As the club sought to fill these gaps, Ahl stood out as exactly the type of solution Lilley was seeking. He’ll slot into and learn from a veteran-laden midfield alongside longtime pros such as Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz, and USL legend Kenardo Forbes. And he’s also looking forward to partnering with the prolific forward the Hounds also acquired this offseason – Sierra Leone international Augustin Williams.
“Yeah, it should be easy,” Ahl laughed as he spoke of linking up with prolific USL and MLS veteran Augustin Williams at forward. “Just find him and get him the ball, and it’ll end up in the back of the net, and I can just rack up the assists.”
Ahl and the Riverhounds kick off their preseason schedule on Saturday, February 1st, against the Columbus Crew of MLS, as they prepare for their regular season opener, and Ahl’s potential pro debut, on March 8th at North Carolina FC.
Photo Credit: Mallory Neil/Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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