Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Kenardo Forbes fell in love with soccer at an early age. Forbes’ exposure to the sport started when he began attending his older siblings’ soccer games; however, it was one of his older brothers who inspired him to take soccer seriously.
“He acted as a mentor for me,” Forbes explained. “He always told me that if I had the right mindset and work ethic, I would get to play.”
In addition to watching his siblings, Forbes would also watch his country play. At 10 years old, Forbes watched the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Jamaica’s first appearance in the tournament. From then, he knew he would want to represent his country.
To do this, he dedicated countless hours to his craft and debuted with the Jamaican National Team in 2010.
“It was a cool moment, seeing everything come together,” Forbes said. “It meant a lot, from watching them play in the ‘98 World Cup, to playing for them in 2010. It was a dream come true.”
Around 2010, Forbes was starting to gain recognition. He began his professional career in Jamaica at 18 years old, playing for Naggo Head FC of the Jamaican National Premier League. He moved to the USL Championship in 2015, where, as a key member of the Rochester Rhinos, he assisted the game-winning goal in the 2015 USL Cup.
Now in his third season with the Hounds, Forbes continues to be a force in the league. He was named to the All-League Second Team in 2018 and was named to the All-League First Team in 2019. He was also an MVP Finalist in 2019. Because of a great work ethic, Forbes has improved each season.
While he values these accomplishments, it is evident he cares more about the team as a whole. To Forbes, showing up with the right mindset and being a student of the game are more important than individual accomplishments.
Forbes has been participating in voluntary small-group practices with the team recently in an effort to strengthen team chemistry. He also bought a treadmill recently and uses it in his downtime.
Following his brother’s example, Forbes has also made sure to keep his mind right during these difficult times. He has thought about his goals for when the season starts up.
“To get to the championship and improve on each season are my main goals,” Forbes said. “My first year, we finished third and were knocked out on penalty kicks in the playoffs. My second year, we won the East and lost to Louisville. This year, I want to bring a championship to Pittsburgh.”
