On August 16, 2025, the New England Revolution sat 11 points below the playoff line with eight games left after suffering a 2-0 home loss to Los Angeles FC.
Captain Carles Gil told the media, "I think it’s difficult —not just for me, but for everyone. In the last two years, we’ve lost many games. We don’t win a lot, so it’s difficult to say we’re in a good way. We need to be honest: the reality is that we need to change things."
Approximately one year later, the Revs are third in the Eastern Conference after collecting a 4-1 home win over Atlanta United. The team has earned points in ten of its last 12 league games (8-2-2) and amassed 25 points through ten home matches, tied for the most in MLS.
So what's changed?
"Honestly, you could feel that even the first day with Marko [Mitrovic, head coach]," Gil said. "The first meeting, mentally, and the way we work outside of and on the pitch. We know the type of team he wants.
"Then, it is to improve and put all these things on the pitch. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but you know what to do with the ball and without the ball, and this is key. The team needs to have an identity and with Marko, since the beginning, we have that."
Defined by core principles like togetherness and a relentless fighting spirit, the Revs are well-organized and ready to take advantage of openings.
"We use two words- it’s patient but also determination," Mitrovic explained. "Being patient on the ball to create the right moment to go. But then when we go we have to go with full determination."
The 2026 Revs can hold a lead (5-1-1 when scoring first) and fight back to earn points (4-4-0 when conceding first). They can score on set pieces (eighth, top third in the league) or via the run of play (15).
Of course, there's still work to be done.
They are 1-4-1 on the road. Although they've been efficient in front of the net, they rank in the bottom third in chances created (100) and are second-to-last in shots on target (63), according to FOX Soccer.
There's optimism that the team will continue to grow under Mitrovic and the rest of the coaching staff.
"Everyone's just so tied into what he's saying that it's easier for us to come together and find different solutions," Brooklyn Raines said. "I would also say he's just really big on sticking to our principles.
"Obviously, one of the things he talks a lot about is remaining humble. We won this game 4-1, but again, it's important for us to keep our heads down, stay grounded, stay focused, and just keep going."
The locker room doesn't talk about standings, instead focusing on the day-to-day. They celebrate successes, but also push to find new ways to better themselves. They focus on the controllables.
The addition of Jack Harrison as a Designated Player will help, with Mitrovic saying, "We strongly believe that Jack has all the tools as a player and as a human being to help us grow and move forward."
But more time together will also build on the team's strong foundation under Mitrovic.
"Today we showed in a good amount of the game, certain things that are getting together and that the team has a strong belief and confidence in the things that we’re doing," Mitrovic said. "But I still believe that there are areas that we have to improve and get better."
