CARLOS MENDES NAMED HEAD COACH OF NEW YORK COSMOS B

NEW YORK (March 9, 2018) – The New York Cosmos announced today that recently retired club captain Carlos Mendes has been hired to be the Head Coach of New York Cosmos B.  Mendes will lead Comsos B as the team competes in the North Atlantic Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in pursuit of its 2nd National Championship since 2015.

“Carlos Mendes is a club legend, and a leader on and off the field,” said Cosmos Chief Operating Officer, Erik Stover. “It’s been a tumultuous time for our organization and Carlos brings much needed stability.  We’ve always been a family here and I’m certain he will continue that tradition.”

“I’m so thankful to the Cosmos and Rocco Commisso for this opportunity,” added Mendes. “I had a great five years as a player and I can’t think of a better way to begin my coaching career.”

Mendes became the first player to be signed by the reboot Cosmos in December 2012, and was an anchor on the back line while captaining the club for five straight seasons.  In 122 appearances for the Cosmos, Mendes recorded four goals and two assists, while becoming the first member of the modern era club to reach 100 games played (2016). He was named in the North American Soccer League’s best XI three times.

Also announced today, Luis Gutierrez is returning to the organization as Cosmos B First Assistant and Strength and Conditioning Coach.  Gutierrez has been an integral part of the club since 2015.  He first started as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Cosmos B before being promoted later that year to the first team in the same position.  In 2017, he added assistant coach to his responsibilities.

Steven Dias, former New York Cosmos goalkeeper, returns as the goalkeeping coach for Cosmos B, a role that he has held the past three seasons.