WATCH: Introductory Press Conference With Coach Mendes

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Director of Physical Education & Athletics Kristofer Schnatz announced the hiring of Long Island-native Carlos Mendes as the head coach of the Mariners' women's soccer program. Mendes officially came on board at Kings Point on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, and the following morning the USMMA Athletic Department celebrated his hiring with an introductory press conference live on our Facebook page which can be viewed by clicking here.

"Coach Mendes brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him to the Academy," commented Schnatz. "We are excited to bring him aboard the athletic program as we continue to build our women's soccer program. We believe that he will be an outstanding addition to our USMMA Physical Education & Athletics community."

In 2022, Mendes led the Mariners to a winning record (9-6-1) in the program's very first season, and had three players land on the All-Skyline Second Team. Additionally, Cassidy Jester '23 earned regional praise as she was selected to the All-ECAC Second Team. The team also enjoyed success in the classroom, as a  total of six Mariners landed on the Skyline Academic Honor Roll For Fall 2022.

Mendes came to KP after a very successful professional playing career, as well as a coaching career that spans from the youth ranks, to collegiate and even professional. He holds a "B" Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation.

Most recently, Mendes was an assistant coach with the Queens College men's team for the 2021 season which just concluded. He helped lead the Knights to an eight-win campaign, which was a two-game improvement over their last full season.

He spent the three previous seasons as the head coach of the New York Cosmos of the National Premier Soccer League from 2018 to 2020. He was voted as the NPSL Coach of The Year after his first season in 2018. Throughout his time coaching the Cosmos, he helped lead the squad to a 35-6-9 record, including two long win-streaks of 10 games and 13 games over their first 25 matches throughout 2018 and 2019.

Prior to coaching with the Cosmos, Mendes spent one year as an assistant coach with the former Division II Long Island program LIU Post in 2018. He helped guide the Pioneer men to a 14-5-1 record, an East Coast Conference Championship and a run to the third round of the NCAA Division II National Championships.

After a Hall of Fame collegiate career as a defender at Old Dominion, Mendes had a long professional playing career, which started with the Long Island Rough Riders in 2002 and continued on to the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division in 2003 and 2004.

He then spent eight years playing in the United States' top tier, Major League Soccer, suiting up with the New York Red Bulls for seven of those years from 2005-2011, before finishing his MLS career with the Columbus Crew in 2012. He is in the top-10 all-time in player appearances for the Red Bulls and helped lead the organization to an appearance in the 2008 MLS Cup Final.

Mendes finished his professional playing career with the New York Cosmos for five seasons from 2013-2017. He was the first player signed by the historical organization during their "reboot" and he helped lead them to three NASL Championships, before the team hired him as the head coach. He also has served as the director of coaching the Mineola Soccer Club boys and girls youth club teams, and started the CM4 Soccer Academy on Long Island in 2016, which operates camps and clinics for the youth throughout the New York Metropolitan Area.

"I am very honored and excited to join the staff at the United States Merchant Marine Academy," said Mendes. "I want to thank our Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz and the entire administration for giving me this tremendous opportunity. My values and beliefs on and off the field are very much in line with those of the Academy. I look forward to mentoring our midshipman both in the classroom and on the soccer field. GO MARINERS!"

Mendes graduated from Old Dominion in 2002 with a degree in Physical Education. He is a native of Mineola, N.Y., and currently resides in East Meadow, N.Y., with his wife, Jillian, and sons, James and Johnny.