PITTSBURGH (March 1, 2023) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC moved closer to filling out its 2023 roster with a pair of signings announced today — Burke Fahling, a midfielder with USL Championship and League One experience, and Tola Showunmi, a first-year pro forward and former All-American. The deals are one year with a club option for 2024, both pending USL and U.S. Soccer approval.
About Burke Fahling
Fahling, 25, spent his first two seasons under contract with the Charleston Battery in 2021-22, making 27 appearances, scoring twice and adding two assists as a rookie in 2021. Last season, he joined FC Tucson of USL League One on a season-long loan deal, and he again logged 27 appearances and had a pair of assists for his new team.
“Burke has had a good preseason with us and brings energy every time he steps on the pitch,” Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley said. “He is versatile and can play multiple positions, out wide or in the midfield, and he poses a threat in attacking areas. We’re glad to have him in Pittsburgh for the 2023 USL Championship season.”
Hailing from Tupelo, Miss., Fahling played as a youth in the Seattle Sounders academy. He began his college career at the University of Memphis, where he played two seasons before transferring back to the Pacific Northwest and finishing his career with Seattle University.
This preseason with the Hounds, Fahling recorded a goal and an assist in the team’s 3-0 win over Penn State earlier this month.
About Tola Showunmi
Showunmi, 22, comes to the Hounds after three successful seasons at the University of New Hampshire. While with the Wildcats, Showunmi was a Third Team All-American and the America East Conference Striker of the Year in 2021, while he picked up First Team all-conference honors in ’21 and a Second Team selection last season.
“Tola is a hard-working forward with good size and pace. With refinement, he will be a handful for opposing defenses, and we think he will be a great addition for our team here in Pittsburgh,” Lilley said.
Showunmi was a third-round MLS draft pick of Atlanta United prior to the 2022 season, but he returned to New Hampshire instead of turning pro. For his college career, which included his first two seasons at Merrimack College, the 6-foot-3 striker scored 27 goals and had nine assists.
The native of Enfield, England, also picked up his first goal in a Hounds shirt this preseason, heading home a goal in the team’s 3-0 win over Penn State earlier this month.
The two signings bring the Hounds roster to 19 players announced for 2023, and more signings are being finalized ahead of the team’s final preseason match this Saturday, March 4 at 2 p.m. against Louisville City FC at Highmark Stadium.
