Carlos Mendes: “Last year we had success, but we fell a little short in the end, and we were disappointed in that.” (Photo courtesy of the Cosmos)
NEW YORK – Carlos Mendes is back.
The Cosmos announced Wednesday that Mendes will be their head coach entering the 2019 NPSL Founders Cup and National Premier Soccer League season.
Mendes made his coaching debut in 2018, guiding Cosmos B to a perfect 10-0-0 record in the NPSL regular season. Cosmos B also lifted a trophy, earning the North Atlantic Conference title, and reached the Northeast Region Final. Mendes also earned personal accolades during his inaugural coaching campaign. He was named the best coach in the North Atlantic Conference, the Northeast Region, and ultimately as the NPSL’s overall top coach in 2018.
“Last year we had success, but we fell a little short in the end, and we were disappointed in that,” Mendes said. “There were a lot of good results, a lot of positive things, and that’s something we want to continue to build on. I was fortunate to have a good group of guys starting from our leader Danny Szetela all the way down to some of our younger players and the work they put on the field.
“This year we want to try to win a championship. That’s what the fans expect, that’s what the New York Cosmos are about, and we’ll work towards that.”
Before taking a coaching role, Mendes was a member of the Cosmos backline. He was the first signing in the club’s reboot in 2012 and captained the team for five seasons. During that spell, Mendes lifted the North American Soccer League (NASL) title three times, reached four finals, and was named to the league’s Best XI three times as well. He made 122 appearances as a player donning the Cosmos badge.
Mendes also performed in Major League Soccer from 2005-2012, playing for the MetroStars, who became the Red Bulls, as well as featuring for Columbus Crew SC.
“It was important to bring back Carlos,” Cosmos senior vice president Joe Barone said. “He’s played at the highest level in the United States, he understands American players, he’s local, and he’s been very successful as a player in the game itself and then as a coach last year in the NPSL. More importantly, Carlos bleeds New York Cosmos.”
