Riverhounds Sign Aldi Flowers-Gamboa to USL Academy Contract

The 18-year-old Pittsburgh native returns home after spending last season with Texoma FC in USL League One.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Riverhounds SC has signed forward Aldi Flowers-Gamboa to a USL Academy contract, bringing the 18-year-old Pittsburgh native back to his home city after he spent last fall with Texoma FC in USL League One. The deal is pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.

Why it matters

The signing of Flowers-Gamboa to a USL Academy contract continues the Riverhounds' focus on developing local talent and providing a clear professional pathway for the region's top young players. The club has had success with this approach in recent seasons, adding several USL Academy players to its roster.

The details

Flowers-Gamboa made his senior-level debut with Texoma FC last season, making five appearances including his first start in the season finale. He played locally at Plum High School and with AAFC and BVB Pittsburgh clubs before joining the FC Cincinnati youth system in 2023, where he spent two years. The Riverhounds signing means the club will have two USL Academy contract players this season, with Flowers-Gamboa joining previously signed midfielder Warren Agostoni.

  • Flowers-Gamboa has been training with the Riverhounds since the start of preseason.
  • He made a splash in his first preseason match with the team, recording a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over the Richmond Kickers.
  • The Riverhounds' season-opening roster will be finalized in the coming week, as the team prepares for its season opener on March 7 against the Charleston Battery.

The players

Aldi Flowers-Gamboa

An 18-year-old forward from Pittsburgh who returns to his home city after spending last fall with Texoma FC in USL League One on an academy contract.

Dan Visser

The Riverhounds Sporting Director, who said the club is thrilled to welcome Flowers-Gamboa home and continue showing there's a clear professional pathway in Pittsburgh for the region's top talent.

Raf Kolankowski

The Plum High School boys head coach who has coached Flowers-Gamboa at different levels, and said the young player possesses a high IQ, composure, and attacking flair in the final third.

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What they’re saying

“Aldi is a local player who left Pittsburgh to join the FC Cincinnati Academy and later gained professional experience with Texoma FC. We're thrilled to welcome him home and continue showing that there's a clear professional pathway in Pittsburgh for the region's top talent.”

— Dan Visser, Riverhounds Sporting Director (pittsburghsoccernow.com)

“Good for him. He's worked hard — and pursued some good opportunities and has traveled a lot as a young player. It's great that he can come back home with the Riverhounds.”

— Raf Kolankowski, Plum High School boys head coach (pittsburghsoccernow.com)

What’s next

The Hounds season-opening roster will be finalized in the coming week, as the team prepares for its season opener March 7 on the road against the Charleston Battery.

The takeaway

The signing of Aldi Flowers-Gamboa to a USL Academy contract demonstrates the Riverhounds' commitment to developing local talent and providing a clear professional pathway for the region's top young players. This approach has paid dividends in recent seasons, and the addition of Flowers-Gamboa, along with the previously signed Warren Agostoni, shows the club's continued investment in its youth development efforts.