Carlos Mendes Returns Home with Cosmos

To help lead the Cosmos’ revival – and appeal to their hometown crowd – the first thing they did was sign Mineola-native Carlos Mendes to their defense.

“It’s amazing, it’s full circle for me,” Mendes commented on his return to Long Island following a practice at Mitchel Field. “I started playing here, on the island and now to finish my career and play for a club like the Cosmos, it’s extra special. I have a lot of friends and family and to play in front of them and have the opportunity to play on the fields, I grew up playing on Mitchel Field, and going to tournaments, it’s extra special for me.”

Mendes is a seven-year veteran of the MLS; he spent six seasons with the New York MetroStars/Red Bulls and spent the 2012 season with the Columbus Crew.

The Wheatley School alum says he is grateful and lucky to be playing in his community. The support and involvement is something Mendes holds dear.

A youth soccer player for the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club, Mendes was inducted into the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club’s Hall of Fame in 2009. His brother is still a member of the men’s club.

“There is always ups and downs, you can’t get too high when things are good and you can’t get too down when things are tough,” Mendes said. “Continue to enjoy and play hard and always improve your game, because I feel all of us can continue to improve and you have to take that attitude. For me it’s kind of balancing everything out. There is going to be good and bad times, keep your head down, keep working, and that’s probably the best advice I can give, and enjoy playing. It goes fast.”

The New York Cosmos currently have a 1-1-1 record in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and play their home games at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium. Their next home game is Saturday, Aug. 24 against the San Antonio Scorpions.

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