The last time Carlos Mendes and Chris Wingert didn't have to participate in a soccer game during Memorial Day weekend, well, they don't remember because it has been so long.

 

Mendes, the Cosmos B coach, and Wingert, a central defender, have been involved in professional soccer for more than 15 years and like just about every team in the United States, theirs has played during the three-day holiday period.

 

This weekend, Cosmos B doesn't have a game scheduled, so the team will get off. It will be a deserved break because the side has bolted out to a 4-0-0 record, grabbing all 12 points after the team's latest conquest, a 5-0 triumph over TSF FC in Wayne, N.J., on Thursday night.

 

So far, so very good.

 

Now, it’s time to rest and have a barbeque, a day at the beach, or some free time at home with friends and family.

 

"I can't tell you the last time I had Memorial Day weekend off," said Wingert, a Babylon, N.Y. native who has played professionally since 2003. "Probably a good 15 years. So, I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, the weather will be nice and have a chance to get over to the beach with the fam."

 

Ditto for Mendes, who started his professional career with the Long Island Rough Riders in 2002.

 

When asked about his last time, Mendes replied, "It's funny that you say that, my wife said to me, 'I can't remember the last time we had this weekend off.' And to be honest. I don't remember. So, it's been a long time. It's part of the job, obviously, having a long professional career."

 

So, Mendes, who hails from Mineola, N.Y., will spend time with his family -- and sleep.

 

"I haven't slept in about three months," he said with a laugh, referring to his newborn son. "We'll be here enjoying the family with the little ones. It'll be tough to travel. Just enjoy family and some time to relax and hopefully, sleep."

 

Cosmos B will have nine days off between games. The National Premier Soccer League side next will visit Rhode Island Reds FC on Saturday, June 2, at 7 p.m.

 

So, some players plan to work out on their own.

 

Asked what he will do during his time off, forward Bledi Bardic responded, "Try to enjoy my day, try to run a little, and get my training.

 

"That's a good part that we have off on that day, too. We have to make sure we work hard in training, get back to training."

 

But rest is important. "Probably a barbeque would be good, a steak," he said.

 

Midfielder Giuseppe Barone plans to practice as well.

 

"I probably would train on my days off by myself," said Barone, who admitted it would be good to refresh his batteries for at least one day. "To be completely honest with you, I just might take the one day off and try to relax with my friends and family."

 

Striker Wojciech Wojcik, who connected for his second consecutive brace in the 5-0 win, noted that having time off can be a double-edged sword.

 

"It could be a blessing or a curse," he said. "You get into a routine and then all of a sudden you have a break without a couple of days of games when you would normally have games. We just have to be professional about our approach, the way we handle ourselves that week."

 

But there must be time to recharge. Wojcik's 26th birthday is Thursday, May 31.

 

"I just may hang out at home, talk to some family, because they're far away," he said. "It’s always nice to connect with them."

 

Then it will be back to work at the Mitchel Athletic Complex on Tuesday morning.

 

There are still games to win in the team's pursuit of the North Atlantic Conference Division title and a playoff berth.

 

Cosmos B's next home game is set against the New York Athletic Club at Commisso Stadium at Columbia University in New York City on Saturday, June 9, at 7 p.m.