Going toe-to-toe with the reigning champions is never easy, especially when tasked with a two-goal deficit with less than five minutes to play.
As unlikely a comeback were to happen, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC had an opportunity to come away with the improbable following a Louisville City FC own goal and foul inside of the penalty area. To take a point, midfielder Kenardo Forbes would need to strike home a goal from the penalty spot – and he did.
The Hounds (13-4-11) will now attempt to carry the momentum of this late-game magic into their final match of a three-game homestand, as the squad battles Indy Eleven (12-8-9) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
“I wasn’t feeling nervous or anything,” Forbes said about his penalty kick goal last time out against Louisville. “I just stepped up. I knew it was a big penalty to get a point.”
This goal marked his second straight game with a tally. Sitting at three goals this year, Forbes finds himself in the midst of one of his best statistical seasons.
The Kingston, Jamaica native has already set career highs in assists (eight) and points (14). He also leads the squad with 42 chances created this season.
Playing into Forbes’ success is the growth he has had under head coach Bob Lilley. This is the fourth season the midfielder has competed in Lilley’s system, having been with him since he entered the USL with the Rochester Rhinos in 2015.
“I think Kenardo gets better every year and still has that appetite to grow and learn,” Lilley said. “It’s what’s keeping him at the top of his game. Even though the league is getting stronger and stronger, I think he is one of the best midfield players in the league – no doubt in my mind.”
Although much of his success this season has been visible on the offensive side of the ball, Forbes also impacts the game defensively. As much of the time he patrols the center of the field, he has earned many possessions for the Hounds. He is tied for the team lead with 32 fouls won and also ranks tied for third with 127 duels won.
“When you’re playing defense, it is easy to find Kenardo,” 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.”
Being strong on both sides of the ball will be key this Saturday against Indy Eleven, as their two previous meetings this campaign have played quite differently. The first match, more of a defensive struggle, consisted of both squads combining for just one shot on target in a 0-0 result whereas their second contest was more open with the clubs combining for 12 shots on goal in a 2-2 draw.
This weekend would be an opportune time for the Hounds to notch their first-ever victory against the USL newcomer. Third-place Pittsburgh sits five points ahead of fifth-place Indy in the Eastern Conference playoff race. If the Hounds finish in the top four of the conference, they will host their first-ever postseason game at Highmark Stadium.
“Last game, we made two mistakes and it cost us two goals,” Vancaeyezeele said. “But besides that, they didn’t have any chances. We’ll try to do the same against Indy.”
