The end of an era is upon the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Midfielder Kenardo Forbes, the club’s captain and all-time leader in matches played (226), announced his retirement Thursday.
Forbes, 36, will transition to a coaching role with the Riverhounds, whom he also leads in career assists (55).
A native of Kingston, Jamaica, who has represented his country internationally three times, Forbes began his Riverhounds career in 2018.
He retires following a 10-year career within the USL Championship, three of which (2015-17) were spent with the Rochester Rhinos prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh.
“To all the Riverhounds staff, my teammates, coaches, trainers and the devoted supporters — especially the STEEL ARMY — you have made this journey truly special,” Forbes posted to Instagram as part of his retirement announcement.
The most decorated player in Hounds history. Thank you, King Kenny. ????????⁰⁰#ThankYouKenny #Grittsburgh pic.twitter.com/5zelbsEHNS
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 13, 2025
With him, the Riverhounds compiled a 118-54-67 record and made seven consecutive postseason appearances, a club record.
Forbes goes out as the USL Championship’s all-time leader in regular-season assists (66), matches played (295) and total minutes (22,224).
“For all of his accomplishments, and they’re too many to count, Kenny has always put others first,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said in a statement. “For 10 years, and the last seven in Pittsburgh, he has championed his teammates, entertained the fans and cherished the club and people associated with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
“He has been loyal, but more importantly, invested; consistent, but more importantly constant; and of service to all those around him in an effortless and humble manner. We have all been blessed to share our journeys with King Kenny, and I can assure you the bar has risen because of him.”
Forbes, who earned USL All-League honors seven times, won a championship in 2015 with Rochester.
In 2019, he was one of three finalists for USL Championship MVP.
The Riverhounds plan to honor Forbes on March 22 with a pregame ceremony at Highmark Stadium before their 2025 home opener vs. the Hartford Athletic.
