Q: In the past we’ve seen some impressive drum work from you on Cosmos TV. Where did that come from?

Carlos Mendes: I’ve been playing the drums as long as I can remember. I did it on my dining room table with pots and pans, and I would drive my parents crazy. Finally, I convinced my dad and my mom to buy me a drum set when I was maybe 11 or 12. Then I picked up guitar in college because I couldn’t bring my drum set.

Music has been a big passion of mine. It’s something I love to do to relax during my downtime.

What would you say has been your proudest moment in music?

My brother-in-law, Bryce Larsen, he plays for a living. He’s a teacher but he plays on the side. He was in bands and actually released an album a while ago, and I was a drummer for his CD release party.

He put together a band, we learned some of the songs and played a pretty big show in the city. So that’s probably my one legit proudest moment, especially because it was my brother-in-law and some friends. That was fun.

If you could tour with one band or musician, who would it be and why?

Dave Matthews Band. Their energy live… they’re one of my favorite bands. Carter Beauford is the drummer I grew up idolizing. The guy is incredible. If I could play or just be around that band, and be around Carter, that’d be unbelievable.

Switching gears to soccer now. Is there a particular player you looked up to as a kid? We know you’re a Benfica fan.

I grew up watching a lot of the Portuguese league with my father. I always loved Luís Figo. I mean, of course [Diego] Maradona and a lot of the other players around the world, but I would say I grew up watching the Portuguese national team and the Portuguese league the most.”

Have you always played as a central defender?

I actually played midfield my entire life. Up through college and everything. I started playing at the back when I played with the [Long Island] Rough Riders for a couple of months [in 2002] and they needed a center back. They put me there temporarily and I did well.

Rochester saw me play there, and eventually [then New York/New Jersey MetroStars head coach] Bob Bradley brought me in as a central defender. So really the switch happened as I came out of college, but it took me a couple of years. You don’t just switch positions at the pro level and pick it up right away. It was a learning process for me, but obviously something that I’m very comfortable with now.

The Rough Riders won a championship in the brief time you were there, fresh out of Old Dominion University. What do you remember about that?

It happened so quickly. I had been injured, I came home and I was unsure of my future. I didn’t have a contract. The Rough Riders were a local team and they picked me up for a couple of months and obviously the season went pretty well. We didn’t lose a game after that and ended up winning a championship. I actually scored a goal on a free kick in that championship game, which was pretty fun. Next I went to Rochester, and from there I moved to the MetroStars/Red Bulls.

What’s your favorite memory from your time with the Red Bulls?

I think definitely the [2008] MLS Cup. It was special because it was out in Los Angeles and a lot of family and friends flew out for the game. Anytime you’re playing in a cup game and you’re playing a final, it’s huge.

There were lots of other good games, but two that still stick out to me were playing against Barcelona the first time at Giants Stadium and playing at the Emirates against Arsenal. We went back with Thierry [Henry] for the second one. That whole experience was amazing, and we ended up winning the tournament.

Finally, can you take us through the process of coming here, being the first player signed by the Cosmos in the reboot era and being named captain?

Mendes: Gio [Cosmos head coach and sporting director Giovanni Savarese], just being a New York guy, being local in the area and also having ties with the Red Bulls and even working for them when I was there, we’ve known each other a very long time. When he called me and said I could come play for this club for him, it was a no-brainer.

Gio called me up and basically let me know about the project. Of course I knew the Cosmos being from here, so when I heard they were coming back I was interested. To be the first player signed meant a lot. I’m very proud. Hopefully I can keep helping this club grow and be a part of the history. 

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