Carlos Mendes (born December 25, 1980) is an American soccer manager and former player currently serving as head coach of the United States Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer program. He holds American and Portuguese nationality, due to lineage. Early life Mendes grew up in Mineola, New York and attended The Wheatley School. He was voted a high school All-American his senior year. In addition to being an All-State and All-Region honoree, he was voted twice All-County (Nassau). As a student athlete at Old Dominion University Mendes was a three-time First Team All CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) selection in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Mendes was the 1998 CAA Rookie of the Year, and a two-time NSCAA United Soccer Coaches Association All-Region selection. Playing career Mendes started his career with the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Pro Soccer League in 2002. While playing for them, he became a defender. After playing for the Rough Riders in 2002 and winning the PDL title while scoring the equalizer in the Championship game against the Wilmington Hammerheads in N.C., Mendes moved up a division to play for Rochester Rhinos, where he became a consistent starter for the next two seasons. Mendes signed with the MetroStars before the start of the 2005 season, and became the starter in central defense, filling the position formerly held by Eddie Pope. During the 2006 MLS campaign Mendes started every game on the season but one, which was due to caution point accumulation. For his efforts, he was voted team Defender of the Year by members of the soccer media. Mendes continued his solid play anchoring the clubs backline during the early part of the 2007 season with New York Red Bulls. However, he fell out of favor with coach Bruce Arena and was in and out of the lineup during the latter part of the season. He concluded the campaign appearing in 23 matches (19 starts), his lowest totals since joining the club. For the 2008 season Mendes was converted into a defensive midfielder and appeared in 17 regular season matches. He returned to central defense in the MLS Playoffs starting in the club's 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, helping the club reach its first ever MLS Cup Final. 2009 was an injury plagued season for Mendes as he was limited to 12 league appearances. Mendes began the 2010 season recuperating from his injury problems, once