UNIONDALE, N.Y. – A big week for New York Cosmos defender Carlos Mendes just got a bit sweeter.

After welcoming a newborn baby boy into his family, the Long Island native celebrated with the first brace of his career, nailing two goals and leading the Cosmos past FC Edmonton 4-2 in front of a 3,833 fans at Shuart Stadium.

Mendes opened the scoring in the second minute, following a cross from Raul who connected with Lucky Mkosana. The Mineola defender found the rebound and tapped it past Matt Van Oekel for the early lead.

A foul in the box in the 15th minute allowed Edmonton back in the match. Tomi Ameobi buried his opportunity, beating Jimmy Maurer to tie the match.

New York answered with pressure, pushing Edmonton back into their own end. The response paid dividends. Danny Szetela played not one, but two consecutive shots off of the frame, with the final attempt rebounding at the feet of Raul who finished with ease in the 23rd minute.

Szetela was back at it 13 minutes later, connecting to new-daddy Mendes whose glancing header put New York up 3-1.

Up by two at the half, New York padded their lead to start the second. Red-hot winger Leo Fernandes dribbled by his defender, finding Mkosana for the finish in the 49th. Edmonton’s Ritchie Jones scored a consolation goal in the 74th minute, but the traveling Eddies found little response in a sound defeat.

The Cosmos remain undefeated on the Spring season (4-2-0, 14 pts.), five points clear of the Jacksonville Armada and Tampa Bay Rowdies. They now travel to WakeMed Soccer Park to take on the Carolina Railhawks this weekend.