Ex-Reggae Boy Cements Himself Into USL Record Books

Kenardo Forbes, a former Jamaican international, has etched his name into the United Soccer League (USL) record books by becoming the championship’s all-time leader in goal assists.

The Kingston-born central midfielder contributed his sixth and seventh assists of the current season during Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s 4-0 thrashing of visiting Philadelphia Union II on 1 August, which moved him to a record-breaking 38 career goal assists.

The 32-year-old set up Steevan Dos Santos on 22 minutes and curled his corner for Thomas Vancaeyezeele to score at on 36 minutes at the behind closed doors Highmark Stadium. Formidable Forbes, who made his debut for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz 10 years ago, was unaware of his achievement but explained this week: “To be honest I didn’t even know about this record until I got an email about the record, I didn’t come into the season trying to break the record.”

He kicked off his career with Portmore outfit Naggo Head FC in Jamaica’s South Central Confederation Super League for the 2005-06 campaign, before moving to Red Stripe Premier League giants Waterhouse FC the following season. A move to the US in 2011 with New York-based Utica City FC resulted in over 100 appearances in the Eastern Conference of the indoor Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) that comprises Canadian, Mexico and US professional teams.

Forbes briefly returned to his homeland but after just a trio of appearances with Waterhouse FC was snapped up by Rochester Rhinos in 2015, where he helped the club reach the USL Championship final.

Since signing for Riverhounds in December 2017, former Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley followed the versatile Forbes who has often been employed as an attacking midfielder and whizzy left winger.

Standout midfielder Forbes, a key figure in the recent rise of Riverhounds, will be aiming to increase his goal assists record when the club tackle the New York Red Bulls II at fanless-Highmark Stadium on 8 August.