USL legend midfielder retires and drops a bombshell decision | OneFootball

Kenardo Forbes is hanging up his cleats, but his connection to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is still strong. Having spent seven seasons in the club's uniform and having made history in the USL Championship, he is now embarking on a new endeavor as part of the team's coaching staff. The on-field leader to off-pitch role transformation isn't a career shift, it's the beginning of a new chapter for one of the greatest players in league history.

The weight of a legend

Forbes built an unprecedented legacy. Over nearly two decades of professional soccer, he left his mark indelibly on the USL Championship, including as the all-time leader in many key statistics. He is the record holder for the most regular-season appearances with 295 games, has accumulated the most minutes in league history with 22,224 on the pitch, and is the all-time leader in assists with 66 assists. These statistics aren't just records, they're evidence of his consistency, ability, and endurance in a sport that requires ceaseless ferocity.

If Forbes was already the standard-bearer in the USL Championship, with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, he was the institution. He is the most productive player to ever play for the club, the all-time assists leader in the record at 55 assists and the Riverhounds most-capped player in history with 226 appearances. The side has enjoyed their most consistent times since his presence, making seven consecutive playoff trips and amassing a record 118-54-67.

Titles and awards

Forbes' career has been marked by awards and trophies. He was crowned USL Championship champion with Rochester Rhinos in 2015, the team with which he had also taken home the Players' Shield the same year. He repeated this feat in 2023, but this time with Pittsburgh Riverhounds, solidifying his place as one of the greatest players ever to grace the league.

Beyond the team accolades, his own greatness has been limitless. He was a seven-time USL Championship All-League Team pick, which no other player in league annals achieved. He was a top-three candidate for USL Championship Player of the Year in 2019, with his Riverhounds having the best record in the Eastern Conference. Even in his final year as a pro back in 2023, he continued to make history, as the first player in league history to have back-to-back double-digit assist seasons, and leading the Hounds to their first-ever official trophy.

Forbes' new soccer job

Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley, who coached Forbes for the majority of his Riverhounds career, referenced the influence the Jamaican midfielder had on the team.

"For everything that he has done, and there are too many to enumerate, Kenny always put others first. For 10 years, and the last seven in Pittsburgh, he protected his teammates, entertained fans, and provided value for the club and everyone affiliated with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC."

Lilley also spoke to Forbes' leadership and personality in the locker room: "He has been consistent, but more importantly, steady; loyal, but more importantly, invested; and a servant to those around him in a way that is both effortless and humble. We have all been blessed to walk our own paths alongside King Kenny, and I can assure that the level raised because of him."

Forbes' addition to the coaching staff was the natural progression for a player who has always been a leader both on and off the field. Familiar with the Riverhounds' identity and a role model for the team, he will be central to shaping the future of the club. His winning attitude and experience will be invaluable as Pittsburgh looks to make the most of its success.

A final farewell before a new beginning

Before officially taking on his new role, Forbes will be celebrated by Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The team will have a farewell ceremony before their home opener against Hartford Athletic at Highmark Stadium on March 22. It will be the last time fans will have to enjoy a player who not only made history on the field, but is now ready to help, help write a new narrative for the Riverhounds.

Forbes' retirement ends an era, but it seems that his legacy is not decreasing, it's just evolving into a new scale. The game is losing a legend on the pitch, but Pittsburgh Riverhounds is acquiring a future leader.