Soccer Star Mendes Leaves Red Bulls for Columbus

The last MetroStar is no more.

Twelve days after being in the expansion draft by the New York Red Bulls, Carlos Mendes is headed off to Ohio.

According to a report on Big Apple Soccer, the Mineola native had his option declined by the Red Bulls Monday and was selected by Columbus in the reentry draft under the terms of his option with New York.

According to Big Apple Soccer: 

Mendes earned a base salary of $98,175 in 2011 and a guaranteed salary of $101,300.

Mendes, who earlier this year , is the only member of the Red Bulls who remains from when the team was known as the MetroStars before it was purchased in 2006 from the Anschutz Entertainment Group.

Mendes, who turns 31 on December 25, joined the Red Bulls in 2005 and has the longest current tenure with the team, playing in the last seven seasons. He ranks third on the club’s game career list with 146 appearances and 128 starts.

“Carlos is a proven player with a lot of game experience in our league,” Crew head coach Robert Warzycha said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “He also brings leadership qualities and is highly regarded by his peers. We are very happy to be able to add him to our team.”