For many people, soccer is more than a sport. It is a lifestyle choice, something you follow with relentless passion. For many professional players, their interest in the sport follows them off the field. In the case of the New York Cosmos, two defenders, Carlos Mendes and Ryan Richter, have already started preparing to keep soccer in their life after their playing days are over.

 

“I have been working with kids for the last couple of years, working with the Philadelphia Union Juniors program,” said Richter. “This past off-season, I worked with 8 and 9-year-olds with an amazing program called Continental 2008, run by Steve Graham. His vision for the program is incredible, and the fact that I can be part of that program is something that I am really excited about and something that has helped me evolve as someone who wants to coach in the future.”

 

 

Richter is equally effusive when talking about his other coaching experience. “When I am coaching with kids, I try to share my knowledge. I have had an amazing time both with Continental 2008 and with the Philadelphia Union Academy, run by Ritchie Graham. Both programs do an excellent job developing younger players.”

 

Similar to Richter, Carlos Mendes has enjoyed becoming a mentor to younger players through his academy, Gold Coast Sports Academy, in multiple New York locations. “These camps, which can be found at cm4soccer.com, have been something I have always been passionate in. I love seeing the kids develop, and working with them has been really fun.”

 

Mendes has found success with his academy, which helps improve the skill set of aspiring players. “For me, the important thing is that they are enjoying it, and I think that our camps help the kids learn to enjoy soccer, as well as teaching them the important skills like first touch and technical ability to succeed as a soccer player.”

 

Mendes is quick to point out how the coaches he has had have helped shape his playing and coaching style. “I was very lucky, I have had a lot of great coaches throughout my career. I have played for many coaches, some really talented coaches with top level experience. When you play for coaches like Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena, you take a little bit from each coach.”

 

Even though he is aspiring to be a coach, Richter knows the importance of making sure to make a clear distinction between when he is a coach, and when he is a player. “When you start thinking too much like a coach, you start to question what people are doing,” Richter admitted. “Right now, it is not my job to be a coach for this team. When I pull on the Cosmos jersey I’m not a coach, I’m a player.”

 

Richter also thinks there is a lot he can learn from the current Cosmos staff. “These coaches have so much experience and so much knowledge, it is my job to learn from them. Every day after I go home I write down what we did in training, so that I can do these exercises when I become a coach myself.”

 

 

Mendes also sees value in making the distinction between being a player and a coach. “It’s a total separation for me. When I step on the field or training pitch, my job is to be a player. I don’t consider my coaching career or my future when I play, and I try my best to help the team forward in any way that I can.”

 

Mendes knows that throughout his career, his experience with the coaching staff for other teams and for the Cosmos has put him in a position to succeed off the field. “You develop and take these things in so if you decide you want to coach in the future, that is something you can do.”

 

Carlos Mendes and Ryan Richter have both been fundamental players for the Cosmos this season. While they continue to develop as players, they are both already preparing to stay involved in the game after retiring from playing. For the Cosmos defenders, soccer is worth staying involved with for a long time.

The Cosmos return to MCU Park on Tuesday, July 4th at 7:30 pm, as they host Indy Eleven. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.