Carles Gil is blunt about his feelings for Marko Mitrovic, who is in his first year as head coach of the New England Revolution.

"For me, Marko is the best," Gil said when asked if Mitrovic should be in contention for MLS Coach of the Year. "Not just the results, he arrived here in a difficult moment for the team and for the club. And I said from the first day, he changed everything starting from the mentality. I think he doesn't care much about [individual credit], but for sure he deserves it."

Mitrovic has the Revs third in the Eastern Conference, and fourth in the Supporters' Shield, an impressive feat after the club failed to make the playoffs for two consecutive years.

He has collected the most points (43) and wins (13) in the first 25 games of any head coach in Revs history. His team has played some of the best soccer in the league since the World Cup break, ranking second in MLS in expected goals (23.33) and expected points per game (20.41), according to American Soccer Analysis.

Post-game social media clips from the locker room have become must-watch content, highlighting the team's unity under Mitrovic. While individual accolades might not be on anyone's mind – even if deserving – a return to the playoffs certainly is.

“Obviously, the last two years were difficult years not making the playoffs," Gil said. "We want to play this type of game. These types of games are special and different, and we are here for that.

"So yeah, we are happy with the place we are in right now. We want to continue getting better, even if we can make second place. Obviously, [catching] Nashville is almost impossible, but we will try to be there and try to play the first game at home in playoffs, so be in the first four places in the East. But you know it's very tight, so first try to continue winning games, make the playoffs, and then try to be the highest possible [seed]."