Jahlane Forbes Bio
Jahlane Forbes (born February 5, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for USL Championship club North Carolina FC, on loan from Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer. Standing at 183 centimeters tall, he is recognized for his development within Orlando City’s academy system and his progression through NCAA Division I competition at Wake Forest.
Forbes built his early reputation as a youth defender in Florida before earning a senior professional opportunity with Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. His career has since included a domestic loan to North Carolina FC, providing him with senior minutes in the USL Championship.
Early Life and Background
Jahlane Forbes was born on February 5, 2002, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He grew up in the United States and later relocated to Florida, where he joined the youth development pathway of Orlando City. His upbringing in New York City placed him in a vibrant sporting environment that nurtured his early interest in soccer and competition.
Forbes entered the Orlando City Club Development Academy in 2016, beginning a four-season tenure that shaped his tactical understanding of the game. Across multiple age groups, he featured in 76 appearances and scored 4 goals, demonstrating consistency and defensive awareness at the youth level. The academy provided a structured environment that allowed him to develop alongside experienced coaches and competitive peers.
Education played a complementary role in his development. Forbes attended high school in the United States and later enrolled at Wake Forest University, where he competed for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons men’s soccer program in NCAA Division I.
Path to Soccer
Forbes’s progression through Orlando City’s academy established the foundation for his move into senior-level soccer. After completing his youth career, he stepped into the professional environment with SIMA Águilas in 2018, marking his first recorded senior club affiliation. That transition signaled his readiness for higher competition.
In 2019, Forbes joined Orlando City B, the USL League One affiliate of Orlando City, and made two appearances during the team’s inaugural season in the league. He returned to Orlando City B for the 2020 campaign, starting in the season opener on August 1, 2020, against Tormenta FC. During his development years, he also spent a month on trial with Brøndby IF in Denmark in January 2020, playing friendlies with the club’s under-19 team and gaining international exposure.
In July 2019, Forbes verbally committed to Wake Forest, where he would compete at the NCAA Division I level beginning in Fall 2020. The pathway from Orlando’s academy to collegiate soccer represented a strategic step in his growth as a defender.
Jahlane Forbes Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Forbes began his senior club career with SIMA Águilas in 2018, an important bridge between his academy years and the professional ranks. The experience introduced him to the demands of consistent senior training schedules and match intensity.
He moved to Orlando City B in 2019, appearing twice in their inaugural USL League One season, and returned to the club for the 2020 season opener. During this period, he also represented the United States under-17 national team, receiving his first call-up for international friendlies in Costa Rica on August 2, 2018.
USL League Two and Development Stints (2022–2023)
After his time at Wake Forest, Forbes joined The Villages SC in 2022, continuing his senior-level development. The following season, in 2023, he played for Manhattan SC, where he refined his defensive play and built momentum ahead of the MLS SuperDraft.
These developmental stints in pre-professional and lower-division soccer sharpened his tactical discipline and prepared him for the professional ranks.
Charlotte FC Era (2024–Present)
Charlotte FC selected Forbes in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft in December 2023. He signed a professional contract with the club in February 2024, beginning his Major League Soccer career. The contract is reported through 2025, reflecting the team’s investment in his development.
In 2024, Forbes also featured for Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC’s developmental affiliate, between 2024 and 2025. His assignments within the Charlotte ecosystem allowed him to accumulate valuable match minutes while adjusting to the professional environment.
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 provided him with an opportunity to secure regular senior minutes at a competitive level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Forbes plays as a defender, leveraging his 183-centimeter frame to compete in aerial duels and physical contests. His academy background at Orlando City and his experience in the United States under-17 setup reflect a player who values positional discipline, tactical awareness, and structured defending. His loan to North Carolina FC underscores his readiness to contribute within a senior defensive unit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Forbes’s milestone moments are his 2016 entry into Orlando City’s academy, his first United States under-17 call-up in August 2018, his start in Orlando City B’s 2020 season opener, his selection in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Charlotte FC, and his August 2025 loan move to North Carolina FC. Each step has marked a progression in his professional pathway.
Jahlane Forbes Career Wins
Jahlane Forbes’s career has been defined more by developmental progression than by championship victories. Across his academy, collegiate, and professional assignments, he has accumulated experience rather than headline silverware, with his trajectory focused on long-term growth as a professional defender.
Other Wins and Performances
Forbes earned his first call-up to the United States under-17 national team for international friendlies in Costa Rica on August 2, 2018, representing a notable achievement in his early career. His selection by Charlotte FC in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and subsequent loan to North Carolina FC highlight the most recent milestones in his competitive journey.
Jahlane Forbes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Jahlane Forbes’s family background is limited. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the United States, with his sporting development shaped largely by his enrollment in Orlando City’s academy system from 2016 onward.
Personal Life
Jahlane Forbes keeps his personal life largely private. No verified public information is available regarding his marital status, spouse, or children at this stage of his career.
2025 Season Performance
Jahlane Forbes entered the 2025 season as a member of Charlotte FC’s professional roster, with his contract extending through 2025. His assignment to Crown Legacy FC during the early part of the year allowed him to maintain match rhythm and continue his defensive development within the Charlotte ecosystem.
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 represented a strategic opportunity to gain consistent senior minutes at the USL Championship level while remaining affiliated with Charlotte FC.
As the 2025 season continues, Forbes’s performances in the loan spell will be a key indicator of his readiness for future Major League Soccer minutes. His progress within North Carolina FC’s defensive setup will likely shape his trajectory within the broader Charlotte FC organization.