The New York Cosmos announced today that Carlos Mendes will lead the club as its head coach entering the 2019 NPSL Founders Cup and NPSL 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 stalwart in the back line of the Cosmos. 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 featured in Major League Soccer (MLS) from 2005-2012, playing for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, which became the New York Red Bulls, as well as featuring for the Columbus Crew.

 

“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.”

 

More info on the team and 2019 NPSL Founders Cup will be announced at a later date.