JUNIOR PIONEERS SOCCER CLUB

Coach Mendes was born in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. He moved to Ludlow, MA as a youth but has since returned to Portugal where he resided, coached and was educated for 3 years.  He currently lives back in Ludlow with his wife, Sonia and 2 year old son Tiago. A devastating ankle injury in his late teens did not stop Roger's dream of being a part of the soccer world- it did however change his focus to the world of coaching. With over 13 years of coaching experience in both the United States and Portugal, he offers more of a tactical and philosophical approach to his coaching. Futsal and Portuguese soccer have had a large influence in his style.

Roger credits his wealth of experience with his willingness to learn and his great relationships with all of his mentoring coaches. He has assisted some of the best coaches in Western Mass!

Coaching Education

• NSCAA National License
• UEFA B / Level 2 Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) License
• NSCAA Advanced Regional License
• MYSA High School Coaches' Certificate
  

Coaching Experience:

• Head Coach, Jr Pioneers U-14 Boys/MAPLE D1
  Present
• Head Coach, Jr Pioneers U-13 Boys/MAPLE D1
  State Semi-Finalist 2009    
• Asst Coach, Western Mass Lady Pioneers
  USL W-League 2008    
• Head Coach, Junior Pioneers U-16 Boys
  MAPLE D2 2007    
• Head Coach, SCR Gaeirense U-18 Boys
  Portuguese Regional D2 2005    
• Head Coach, SCR Gaeirense Men's Futsal
  Portuguese Regional D2 2004/2005       
• Asst Coach, Gaeirense Men's/Portuguese
  Regional D2 2004      
• Head Coach, Junior Pioneers U-17 Boys
  MAPLE D2 2003
• Asst Coach, West Springfield High Varsity Boys
  2002
• Asst Coach, Junior Pioneers U-14 Boys
  Super Y League 2002    
• Head Coach, Junior Pioneers U-16 Boys
  MAPLE D2 2002
• Asst Coach, West Springfield High Varsity Boys
  WMass Finalist D1 2001
• Head Coach, Lusitano FC U-17 Boys
  MAPLE D2 1998
• Asst Coach, East Longmeadow High Varsity Boys
  State Finalist D2 1997
  

Playing Experience:

• C.R.P. Ribafria Men's Futsal, Portugal
• Ludlow's Gremio Lusitano
• Westfield State College Varsity

Other Experience:

• Development Director - Western Mass Pioneers Pro Soccer Club (2009).
• Interim member of Board of Directors - Junior Pioneers (2008).
• Trained and Observed with the Western Mass Pioneers of the Men's USL D2, with coaches Leszek Wrona and Jon Voight (1999 - 2002).
• Trained and Observed with Beneditense C.D. of the Portuguese 3^rd Division, with coaches Coach Carlos Brito (Fall 1996).