Carlos Mendes on his first MLS match in 2005: “I think there might have been 105, mostly my family. Just my family soaking wet. They’re holding up signs. So proud of me.” (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

After competing in more than 300 professional soccer matches, a player certainly will accrue some intriguing memories.

Cosmos center back and captain Carlos Mendes, who will play his final home game for the two-time North American Soccer League champions at MCU Park Saturday, certainly has several on his list.

What tops the list just might surprise you.

It was his first Major League Soccer game with the MetroStars at Giants Stadium in 2005.

“I’ll never forget that day,” Mendes said. “I had 80 people, maybe 100 people, family and friends that I’m going to have this Saturday also. It was almost like a hurricane out there. We were playing Real Salt Lake and they were the only people in the stadium. I think there might have been 105, mostly my family. Just my family soaking wet. They’re holding up signs. So proud of me. That obviously stuck with me.”

The Mineola, N.Y. native then rattled off several other big matches, such as when the Red Bulls took on Barcelona in an international friendly at a packed Giants Stadium in 2006.

“Having the opportunity to play teams like Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world in front of 80,000 people, is something you’ll never forget.”

Neither would be reaching the 2008 MLS Cup with the Red Bulls on their improbable run during the playoffs, and of course, the three NASL championships he skippered with the Cosmos.

“And of course, coming back home to represent the New York Cosmos,” Mendes said. “To be the first player signed. My very first game at Hofstra when we had Pele and all these players who were a huge part of the history of the club and soccer in the U.S. They were there and the atmosphere. The championships, winning the championships. Winning it in front of our family and fans and friends was extra special.

“There was a lot. I probably could go for another 10 minutes, talking about some of the ones early on,” he said with a laugh.

Then Mendes became serious.

“I’m so grateful,” he said.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.