PITTSBURGH – USL Championship legend Kenardo Forbes announced on Thursday his retirement from the professional game, and that he will move into a coaching role with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, the club he has represented for the past seven seasons.

Forbes completes a professional career that spanned nearly two decades as the USL Championship’s all-time leader in regular season appearances (295) minutes played (22,224) and assists (66).

The 36-year-old claimed the Championship title in 2015 with the Rochester Rhinos, won the Players’ Shield with the Rhinos (2015) and Hounds (2023), and was voted to the USL Championship All-League Team on seven occasions, the most of any player in league history.

With the Riverhounds, he steps away as the team’s all-time leader in assists (55) and appearances (226). In 2019, Forbes was one of the three finalists for USL Championship Player of the Year after leading the team to the best record in the Eastern Conference. And in his final season as the team’s captain, 2023, he became the first player to post consecutive double-digit assist seasons in league history while guiding the Hounds to their first official trophy, the USL Championship Players’ Shield.

Forbes’ tenure in Pittsburgh coincides with the Riverhounds’ most successful run in team history. The club amassed a record of 118-54-67 with Forbes on the roster, putting together a club-best run of seven consecutive seasons both reaching the playoffs and having a winning record.

“For all of his accomplishments, and they’re too many to count, Kenny has always put others first,” said Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley. “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’ unmatched playing career will be honored with a special pre-match ceremony before the Riverhounds home opener at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, March 22 at 7 p.m. against Hartford Athletic.