The New England Revolution made four additions in the off-season, the oldest of whom is 23, but the moves were more about quality than age.
Cristiano Oliveira (17), Brooklyn Raines (20), Ethan Kohler (20), and Griffin Yow (23) were brought in to supplement a roster that had many players on guaranteed contracts for 2026.
“I would say more, for me, it’s what we see on the field,” head coach Marko Mitrovic explained. “Do we see quality, and what level of quality do we see? That goes before age. That’s something that is very important.”
While Oliveira joins as a Homegrown after spending two seasons with the second team in MLS NEXT Pro, the other three have extensive club and international experience.
Raines owns 45 MLS regular season appearances, including 20 starts with the Houston Dynamo in 2025. Kohler has made over 70 professional appearances in the United States and Germany, while Yow spent the last three-and-a-half years with KVC Westerlo in Belgium after beginning his career with D.C. United.
Mitrovic is familiar with Raines, Kohler, and Yow, having worked with them as part of the U.S. youth national team program. In fact, Raines was the first addition the Revs made after hiring Mitrovic.
“I kind of have clarity in the way that I would love the team to play,” Mitrovic said. “That’s one of the positions that is very, very important. Every position is important, but to find the profile for that position somehow, I find it's always completely difficult.
“I worked with Brooklyn over the last four years. I know Brooklyn very well. He actually fits that profile very well. Also, playing last year and having a good amount of games with Houston, he also has experience in MLS.”
Mitrovic spoke to Raines about the possibility of moving to New England before he was named as head coach. Once Mitrovic was official, the club swiftly organized a reunion by completing a cash-for-player trade with Houston for $1.6 million, which could increase by another $400,000 if certain conditions are met.
“I was actually very pleased that the club acted immediately,” Mitrovic said. “When we spoke about that and I mentioned Brooklyn’s name, they, as I said, acted immediately and started the process of how we can bring Brooklyn here. In the end, we made it happen.”
With an average age of approximately 24, the Revs could have one of the youngest rosters in MLS, but there are still plenty of players with experience.
33-year-old Carles Gil, who Mitrovic calls “one of the most talented players in the league," remains the focal point of the team, having completed the second-most key passes (114) in MLS last year.
Matt Turner (31) is vying for a spot on the U.S. World Cup roster, while Mamadou Fofana (28), Tanner Beason (28), and Matt Polster (32) return after playing significant minutes in 2025.
“You don't want a group of just old veteran guys, I think you need that young blood in the team, kids that are motivated to push the group and push the intensity of the sessions and have motivation to even go past where they are now,” Polster said.
“I think it's important in any team, in any sport, to have different ages where you're able to guide them as older players, but also for younger players to push us. That comes with competition, and that's how it should be in every sport.”
It’s early days, but Mitrovic likes what he’s seen so far, saying, “I’m happy with the way we are progressing.”
Of course, there's always the possibility of adding more players, as the primary transfer window doesn't close until Mar. 26. Mitrovic noted, "The selection process never stops.”
“Are there going to be some additional pieces? We’ll be ready to act if there is something that we strongly believe will improve our team,” Mitrovic said. “Obviously, we always have limitations with the salary cap and all the rules we have in MLS. If not, we’re going to look in the summer and the next transfer window. That process never stops.”
