Cristiano Oliveira has reached another milestone in what has already been an impressive young career.
The attacker signed a Homegrown deal that displays the confidence New England has in his playing ability. Down in Florida, Oliveira is in his first preseason as a member of the first team.
"Obviously, Marko [Mitrović], new coach, I've learned so much from him," Oliveira told media on Wednesday. "I've grown up playing 4-3-3, [which] I was talking with some of my academy teammates [about] this week. But there's so many little details that Marko is really aggressive on, and I just think I'm always learning.”
Oliveira reaching the first team is another shining example of the Revolution profeissonal player pathway. The attacker started out in New England's academy and played his first game for Revolution II in 2024.
At the end of the 2024 season, Oliveira signed a professional contract with the second team. His performance in the 2025 season saw him selected to play in the MLS NEXT Pro All-Star Game in Austin, Texas.
"I think each and every single phase that I've had so far since joining the academy, to starting to play with the U-15s, coming up with the U-17s, and then starting to train with the second team," Oliveira said. "Then going to preseason with the second team, signing my [Homegrown] deal, and starting preseason with the first team, I would say everything taught me something new. If that's speed of play, I've just always learned, and I think it's just helped me grow as a person, as a player. I think that each step was super important in my career to get me here where I am today.”
The midfielder credits his family and his faith for getting him to where he is today.
“It's incredible to be able to play for my team that I grew up watching," Oliveira said. "Being able to have my family there every weekend when we play at home, it's incredible. I was actually thinking about this, and I'm super grateful that God [gave me] a family with such a good foundation. I think it's helped me stay humble and always have good character wherever I go. So, I'm super grateful to God. I think it's just helped set that foundation, having a good family.
"I would say that my faith, for me, is my foundation," Oliveira later added. "Obviously, there's going to be moments where I'm doing super well in soccer, and there's moments where I might be injured, or I might not be playing. For me, I would say it's just kind of a base, and a base that doesn't shake. So, no matter what's happening in my career – Obviously, I went through so much with injuries, different coaches, and I just think my faith has always helped me stay grounded and focused.”
Oliveira has had a solid start to his first preseason with the first team. He scored a goal in New England's 6-0 domination of USL League One debutants Sarasota Paradise.
The midfielder impressed in 2025 and with Mitrovic at the helm, a youth movement could be further underway in New England. While the competition for minutes will be fierce and he will likely continue to feature for Revs II, Oliveira has the chance to impress the new head coach.
But at 17 years old, Oliveira has plenty of time to develop and the future is bright for the youngster.
