Carlos Mendes has forged a reputation as a hard-working defender during a 10-year professional soccer career.
The Mineola native is also a pioneer.
Mendes was the first player to sign with the New York Cosmos for their second incarnation in the North American Soccer League.
“It’s an honor to be the first player signed,” Mendes said. “When I knew the staff and saw the front office, I believed in it. It was a great opportunity for me. We have very good people here. That was a big part of my decision.”
That leap of faith by Mendes, who spent seven years with the New York Red Bulls and also competed for the Columbus Crew, was greatly appreciated by Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese.
“We have to give a lot of credit to Carlos because he took a responsibility and accepted an offer for just a name that had a great history, to two people in the organization that he trusted,” Savarese said.
By signing with the Cosmos in December, Mendes also helped pave the way for other players, guys like Hunter Freeman, Kyle Reynish and Danny Szetela, who have each competed in Major League Soccer.
“[He helped] confirm that we are for real, that we are a true soccer organization trying to build up,” Savarese said. “Definitely his signing gave us a little more strength to attract more players. If Carlos could trust this project that means that other players could trust it as well because of his reputation and what he has done in soccer here in the United States.”
Mendes, 32, said the decision to return home was a personal one.
“This is my community. I grew up playing on these fields. For me, it’s special,” Mendes said. “Playing for a club with so much history, we know what the fans expect. I’m just excited to have soccer back in New York and Long Island because it’s a big soccer community and we have a lot of youth who play it. Hopefully we can bring a high level of soccer.”
Like so many who grew up in the New York area, Mendes Cosmos roots run deep. He said when his parents moved here from Portugal, they attended Cosmos matches. While Carlos was too young, he is certainly well aware of what that team meant.
“This club has a lot of history, a great tradition and it’s an honor to play for them,” he said. “I’m excited to be here and we’re looking forward to the season.”
Mendes will wear the No. 4 jersey, just like soccer hall of famer Werner Roth did in the Cosmos first season in 1972. Like Mendes, Roth is a New York native who was excited to start something new with the Cosmos.
“It wasn’t planned, but I think sometimes those coincidences are important for building the future,” Savarese said.
That’s just what Mendes wants to do. He’s influential for the team’s younger players as well as being an ambassador to the Long Island soccer community.
“Hopefully we bring high quality professional soccer,” Mendes said. “Long Island is a hot bed for soccer. I think people are excited about it. My job here is to work hard, stay focused and help in any way I can.”
