*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of December 26, 2022
Lucas Mendes (born December 29, 1997)[1] is an American professional soccer player who currently plays for Fredericksburg Fire FC in the Major Arena Soccer League 3. Mendes is usually employed as a winger, but can be used as a striker or a central midfielder. Mendes is also owner of National Premier Soccer League club Virginia Dream FC.[2]
During Mendes' first three years of high school, he opted to play for D.C. United's academy as opposed to high school soccer, due to a U.S. Soccer ruling prohibiting players from playing both high school soccer and academy soccer. While playing for D.C. United's academy, Mendes tallied 25 goals and 17 assists in 45 matches with the team, which helped him earn NSCAA Club All-American honors in 2015. During his senior year of high school, Mendes opted to play high school soccer, and played for Washington-Lee High School's boys varsity soccer team. During the Spring 2016 season, he tallied 21 goals and had 12 assists with the Generals, helping them win a state championship over First Colonial High School.[6] Mendes earned 2016 NSCAA High-School All-America honors, and All-USA Boys Soccer First team honors.[7]
Mendes was listed as a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer,[8] and the 24th best recruit in the nation by College Soccer News. Mendes was recruited to play for the Virginia Cavaliers, considered by many to be one of the most elite collegiate soccer teams in the United States. During Mendes' freshman year with the Cavaliers, he appeared in eight matches, making one start.[9] Mendes did not appear in any more matches during the 2016 season after suffering from mononucleosis.
Mendes registered two assists in the inaugural game for Major Arena Soccer League 3 club Fredericksburg Fire FC.[10]
Mendes has been part of the United States under-18 and under-20 setups, being part of U.S. U-18 National Team pool in October 2014 and U-20 National Team pool in January 2016.[11]
