The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. Major League Soccer kicks off its season on Saturday as the New England Revolution take on Nashville SC, the first match of Marko Mitrovic's MLS head coaching career.
While the match will be Mitrovic's first as a head coach, he has plenty of experience in the U.S. Youth National Team system, which includes coaching at the U-20 World Cup.
Considering his experience, Mitrovic is approaching the match as he would any other game he has coached.
“It’s always exciting after a long break, or actually a longer preseason, to go to competitive games," the coach said. "I think it’s another game in our lives, and I think that’s the approach we have. Every game matters in this season, starting with this first game. I feel good, and I think the team feels good and we’re ready for Saturday.
“I've been in this game for so long, and I'm coaching for so long, I just take it as another season and another game in my life," Mitrovic added. "That's how I take it.”
One of the most important players that Mitrovic will be managing is Revolution captain Carles Gil. The midfielder remains one of the top players in MLS and if he plays well, New England usually ends up securing three points.
With Mitrovic at the helm, Gil believes the style of play that Mitrovic wants the Revs to play lends itself to how the midfielder likes to play the game.
“Yeah, we work with the ball but also without it. But with the ball, we want to combine, to try to be a dominant team but also a team who has opportunities to create goals," Gil said. "I’m feeling very good. Not just me, all the players. There are many new small things for everyone. In the first week we felt a little different, but I think we’ve improved a lot through now. Hopefully we can show that Saturday in Nashville.”
