Floridian Rookies Series: Charles Ahl

From Hatter to Riverhound

Born: January 1, 2002

Current Team: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Connection to Florida: born and raised in the state, he learned to play here before turning professional with a USL Championship club in Pennsylvania

Stetson University doesn’t have a long history of producing professional soccer players. More of a baseball school, a couple individuals came for a few years and left to move up the ladder, including Scott Bower (who finished his eligibility at Clemson) as well as Eugene Starikov and Fredrik Brustad, who both left the NCAA ranks before graduating. However, Charles Ahl is looking to buck that trend after growing up a short distance from campus in Winter Park.

Before joining the Hatters, Ahl played his youth soccer for the Orlando City academy as well as for Trinity Preparatory School. He seemed to always have the goal of top level soccer on his mind, as he also played for National Premier Soccer League side Central Florida Panthers. The NPSL is a league largely populated by talented young players of high school and college age looking to stay fit during the NCAA offseason. Ahl’s play among all these teams led to interest from some colleges, and he ultimately decided to go to Stetson.

While in DeLand, Ahl continued to gain experience and playing time as the years went by. He became a regular starter during his sophomore season in 2022, leading the team with eight assists. In 2023, he was named to the Second Team All-ASUN for the second time, before finally being named First Team in his senior season. In fact, he was named the ASUN Player of the Year for 2024, becoming only one of three Hatters to win the award.

Despite this decorated period in college, he went undrafted by Major League Soccer teams. Undeterred, he continued to search around, ultimately finding a home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the next two years. Upon joining the Riverhounds, Ahl said, "it's a dream to play professional soccer, and it means a lot to be able to live out that dream. Stetson has prepared me not only as a soccer player but also as a person. I can't thank the coaching staff enough for always believing in me and making me the player and person I am today."

His new head coach Bob Lilley has a history of plucking unheralded players out of NCAA soccer and making something out of them. He praised his latest rookie, saying, “Charles is a busy midfielder with the ability to break lines off the dribble and deliver the final pass. He was consistently dangerous at our combine, and we look forward to seeing him develop here in Pittsburgh.”

Ahl made his first professional appearance in the first match of the season, a 1-1 draw against North Carolina FC. After a spell on the sidelines, he worked his way back into the lineup and earned his first start in a 2-1 win against Floridian side, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He should continue to grow in strength and confidence in 2025 under the watchful eye of the Riverhounds coaching staff.