PITTSBURGH – In the seconds after Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC forward Neco Brett won a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time of its top-four clash with Louisville City FC this past Saturday, Pittsburgh’s captain on the night Kenardo Forbes could be seen looking towards the bench to get confirmation that he, not Brett, would take the penalty kick.

Despite Brett’s team-leading 14 goals, Riverhounds SC Head Coach Bob Lilley entrusted Forbes with the responsibility of stepping up to the spot to tie the game at two goals apiece with just 120 seconds remaining. After a short run-up, Forbes fired his penalty kick into the bottom-right corner, sending Louisville goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh the wrong way as the side earned a crucial point in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

“I wasn’t feeling nervous or anything,” Forbes said after the match. “I just stepped up. I knew it was a big penalty to get a point.”

The goal was Forbes’ second in as many games as he continued an impressive first campaign in Pittsburgh. With six games remaining in the regular season, Forbes has already set a career high in assists (8) and leads the side with 39 chances created from open play – 13 more than any of his teammates.

“We have a good relationship,” Forbes said. “This is my fourth year with Bob Lilley. He is very demanding. He sees things in you that you don’t see. He’s helped me a lot over these past four years.”

Over that span, Forbes has quietly developed into one of the USL’s best playmakers and has shown off his quality while transitioning seamlessly into Pittsburgh’s lineup this season. Forbes has completed 81.44 percent of his passes this year – the highest percentage among Pittsburgh players that have made at least ten appearances – which has simplified the game for his new teammates.

“When you’re playing defense, it is easy to find Kenardo,” Pittsburgh defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele said. “He’s always available and moving around. It’s easy to give him the ball, and we trust him with his passing ability. He can make good passes to the forwards.”

Forbes will try to maintain that influence in the attacking third on Saturday when the Hounds face Indy Eleven at Highmark Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+) with a chance to clinch the team’s first playoff berth since 2015 potentially in the cards should Bethlehem Steel FC and Ottawa Fury FC both fail to take victory on Saturday.

With the array of talent surrounding him, including that of fellow Jamaican standout Brett, Forbes’ confidence in his own ability is flying high as he helps lead his new side into the postseason. 

“We have a lot more offensive players here in Pittsburgh,” said Forbes. “They make the runs for me, and I know I’m going to play a good ball most of the time.”