[NASL] The New York Cosmos' first player signing is Long Island native Carlos Mendes. The 31-year-old defender spent seven seasons in MLS, the first six with New York and the last with Columbus.
 
Mendes was born and raised in Mineola, where he played his youth soccer for the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club, and currently resides in East Meadow.

Mendes attended Old Dominion and played for the USL Long Island Rough Riders before he joined the then-MetroStars in 2005.

"Carlos is a Long Island guy, well respected in the community and a leader on and off the field,” said Cosmos COO Erik Stover. “He gives us a solid foundation to build our club around.”

The Cosmos will begin play in the NASL's 2013 fall season.