MetroFanatic: Carlos, last year you didn't play defense at all, until the last two games.
Carlos Mendes: It's ironic. Obviously, the coach showed confidence in me. I think it's good he has confidence, in defensive midfield or in the back.

MF: To see you in defensive midfield after all these years in the back was pretty weird.
CM: Yeah, playing a couple of years at center back, but coach saw something in me that he liked in midfield, and was happy. My job is to be ready to play wherever I'm needed on the field.

MF: So this year, we got even more defensive midfielders coming in, and Seth is now back from injury, so where's your place on the team?
CM: My job is to come in, and improve, and work hard every day, and be ready when Coach calls on me. That's part of my job, to be a good professional.

MF: There was some talk that you were gonna leave MLS this offseason.
CM: I'm very happy here. I love it, this is where I'm from, I get to play in front of my family and friends. It's a good group of guys, we enjoy playing for Coach. Obviously, being out of contract, there are different things to consider, but I'm happy to be back and excited for another couple of years here.