Born in Portugal, he earned one cap with the United States men's national soccer team in 1975.
When he was seventeen, he scored three goals in Benfica's 5–1 victory over the New York Ukrainians in an indoor tournament held at the Elizabeth Armory.
In 1974, Pires began his professional career with the Rhode Island Oceaneers of the American Soccer League.
In 1976, Pires played a single season in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Hartford Bicentennials.
[4] In March 1981, Pires was hired as the head coach of the New England Sharks of the American Soccer League.