Jahlane Forbes Bio
Jahlane Forbes is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender. After progressing through the youth system at Orlando City, Forbes went on to play college soccer at Wake Forest University before being selected in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC. He has spent time on loan in the USL Championship and USL League One, and he has also represented the United States at the under-17 level.
Early Life and Background
Jahlane Forbes was born on February 5, 2002, in Brooklyn, New York, in the United States. Growing up in New York gave him early exposure to a competitive soccer environment, and he developed his game in youth setups in the region before joining a major academy system further south.
Forbes entered the Orlando City Club Development Academy in 2016, where he would spend the next four seasons working his way up through the age groups. Across those years, he made 76 appearances and scored 4 goals, building a defensive foundation that would later support his move into the professional ranks.
Path to Soccer
Forbes’s rise through Orlando City’s academy gave him a clear path toward a professional career. He made his first senior appearances for Orlando City B during the club’s inaugural 2019 USL League One season, recording two appearances that year.
After committing verbally to Wake Forest in July 2019, Forbes returned to Orlando City B for the 2020 season, starting the opener on August 1 against Tormenta FC. He also spent a brief trial with Danish club Brøndby IF in January 2020, playing friendlies with their under-19 side. In December 2023, Charlotte FC selected him in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, and he signed a professional contract in February 2024.
Jahlane Forbes Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Forbes began his senior career in 2018 with SIMA Águilas, a brief stint that gave him a first taste of adult soccer. He then joined Orlando City B for the 2019 and 2020 USL League One seasons, making two appearances in the club’s inaugural 2019 campaign and starting the 2020 season opener against Tormenta FC.
During this stretch, Forbes split time between club play and his international duty with the United States under-17 team, balancing academy training with early senior experience.
College Career (2020–2023)
Forbes enrolled at Wake Forest University, where he played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men’s soccer program from 2020 through 2023. He competed in NCAA Division I competition while continuing to develop as a defender.
While at Wake Forest, Forbes also added senior-level minutes outside the college schedule, keeping his match fitness sharp during the off-season.
Orlando City B and Senior Pathway (2019–2020)
Forbes made two appearances for Orlando City B during the team’s first USL League One season in 2019. He returned to the squad for 2020 and started in the season opener on August 1 against Tormenta FC, helping him transition from academy football into a regular senior environment.
Crown Legacy FC and Charlotte FC Era (2024–2025)
Charlotte FC selected Forbes in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft in December 2023, and he signed a professional contract with the Major League Soccer club in February 2024. He was assigned on loan to Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte’s developmental side, for the 2024 and 2025 seasons to gain regular senior minutes.
North Carolina FC Loan (2025)
On August 22, 2025, Forbes joined North Carolina FC of the USL Championship on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move gave him a chance to test himself at the second tier of American soccer.
Las Vegas Lights Era (2026–Present)
In January 2026, Las Vegas Lights FC announced the signing of Forbes to a one-year contract with a club option for 2027, bringing him to the USL Championship on a more permanent basis.
Notable Events and Milestones
Forbes earned his first call-up to the United States under-17 national team for international friendlies in Costa Rica on August 2, 2018. His selection in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC marked another key milestone in his professional pathway.
Jahlane Forbes Career Wins
Jahlane Forbes is an early-career defender whose professional résumé is still being built, with stints at several developmental and USL clubs rather than a long list of senior titles. His achievements to this point center on reaching the professional ranks through the MLS SuperDraft and earning international youth recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
Forbes’s notable performances include 76 appearances and 4 goals across multiple age groups in four seasons with Orlando City’s academy, two appearances for Orlando City B in their inaugural 2019 USL League One season, a start in the 2020 season opener against Tormenta FC, and a United States under-17 cap in 2018.
Jahlane Forbes Family
Personal Life
Jahlane Forbes was born in Brooklyn, New York, and stands at 6 feet 0 inches tall. Public details about his family and personal life are limited, and he is known primarily for his work as a professional soccer player.
2025 Season Performance
Forbes began 2025 on loan at Crown Legacy FC, continuing his development within the Charlotte FC pipeline. On August 22, 2025, he moved on loan to North Carolina FC of the USL Championship for the remainder of the season, gaining experience at a higher competitive level.
His 2025 campaign has been defined by steady defensive minutes across two USL environments, a step up from his previous USL League One assignments. The loan to North Carolina FC provided a platform to show his readiness for a larger role heading into 2026.