'King Kenny' Poised to Rule the Hounds' Record Book
June 25, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
It's no secret that Kenardo Forbes has long been one of the USL Championship's best distributors.
Last season, Forbes passed Maikel Chang for the most assists in USL Championship history, and he ended the season increasing his total to 39.
Now, the man nicknamed "King Kenny" has his sights on another record. He is just two assists away from surpassing Kevin Kerr's total of 27 for the most in club history.
Kerr, who played alongside Forbes for two years, is happy to see the record broken.
"When Kenny came here, I figured it wouldn't be long until he broke the record," Kerr said. "Of course, I was happy when I broke the record, but I'll be happy when Kenny breaks it too. And I have no doubt he will. I think he'll go far beyond 27 assists."
Just like his record last season, Forbes wasn't aware that he was close to cementing his name in Riverhounds history.
"I didn't know that I was close to breaking Kevin's record, but it's a big accomplishment for me as a player," he said. "I've become a lot more confident in the final third since leaving Rochester, and I'm going to work hard to get the record."
Before coming to Pittsburgh in 2018, Forbes spent three years playing for Bob Lilley with the Rochester Rhinos. While he was a very good player for Rochester, earning Second Team All-USL honors in 2016, he's become a great player for the Hounds.
Since the start of the 2018 season, Forbes has racked up 26 assists, the second-most of anyone in the league that span.
"When we first got him (in Rochester), he was a winger," Lilley said. "He was very good out there, always with an attacking mindset. The more time I had with him, the more I learned what he can do and began to use him in different ways. He's done a lot of work to become the player he is now. I thought he was an excellent player for us (in 2015), but he's a more complete player now. He's been a massive player for us. He's been a massive player for this league."
Kenardo's favorite assist as a Hound came in a 3-0 victory against New York Red Bulls II on June 16, 2018.
After almost allowing a goal on one end, the Hounds were on the counter-attack in the attacking third. Forbes had possession near the center of the penalty box when he sent a pass to Neco Brett, who then chipped the ball over the keeper to give the Hounds a two-goal lead. The assist was his first ever at Highmark Stadium, and it came after a rough stretch at home for the club.
Forbes earned his first helper of the 2021 season in the Hounds' last match - a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium - which brought his career total to 40. He set up Russell Cicerone with a perfect ball in the 55th minute to give the Hounds a 2-0 lead and what would be the deciding goal.
Although he only has one assist this season, the positive impact Forbes brings is immeasurable.
"His feel for the game is unique. He has a sense of where his teammates are at all times," Lilley said. "He obviously brings a lot of experience. He works tirelessly to get in the right spots. He makes players around him better."
The coach continued: "He's been off to a slow start this year, but the last few performances, he's shown he's rounding into top form. It's nice to have a player who is as creative as he is, but reliable too."
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