The last two years have been difficult for the New England Revolution yet Carles Gil decided to sign a contract extension on Monday. It is a vote of confidence as New England enters a new era with a new head coach.
Marko Mitrovic has brought in some young players and considering how the new head coach wants them to play, New England's captain believes the club could surprise observers in 2026.
“I believe that MLS is a league that’s changing every year," Gil told media on Monday. "You can see that the teams, one year you’re at the top and the next year you’re not. We’ve had that. We were [at the top] in 2021. In 2023 too, in the middle of the season we were in second place [in the Eastern Conference] and everything changed. I still believe that we can do it. Obviously, Marko [Mitrović] also is an important part for me to stay here, what I saw in the first weeks from him and his staff. I’m excited for what’s coming. Obviously, this is a young group. It’s never easy but I think it’s a year where we can change many things and I want to be here.”
While Gil is one of the best midfielders in all of Major League Soccer, he has the ego of everyday journeyman. Matt Polster notes how the captain leads by example and Mitrovic Praised Gil's humbleness.
“I don’t mean this in a bad way when I say this, it’s really a good thing, but there is no ego in this group," Mitrovic said. "Carles [Gil] is one of those that I just spoke about. He’s our captain, and Carles is definitely one of the most talented players in the league. But the way that he approaches every training session, and everything actually like our meetings, our meals, and his lifestyle, I think he’s a good example for younger guys to see what you have to do to get so far in your career and to present your talent on the field in the best possible way. Saying all this, that’s how he behaves. Carles is a very humble person. He’s very coachable. I know that, with the coaching staff, we have a certain way we want to play. Obviously, integrating our style and using Carles’ strengths, but also Carles kind of adapting what we want from him, he is very open to that. It’s a pleasure for all of us to have him with us.”
The praise goes both ways as Gil noted that the hiring of Mitrovic played a role in him deciding to sign a contract extension.
"I think Marko [Mitrović] coming is a very important part of it, both Marko and his staff," Gil said. "I think we were in new territory. We didn’t know where the club was going. I think bringing someone like Marko, someone who makes it clear what he wants, both on and off the field. From the first meeting he held, he made the objectives that he wants to follow very clear. On the field, we’re learning a lot of new things that we didn’t do before. For me, that has been key.”
Gil's contract extension secures his status as MLS also heads into a new era. The league will start a summer-to-spring calender for the 2027-28 season.
New England's captain is excited for the change, especially with the potential to play some important games in more favorable conditions.
“It’s going to be new for everyone, even for me," Gil said. "I played some years in Europe, but many years here too, so it’s going to be new. I think everyone’s happy with that. Like I said, it’s going to be different. For example, for us, if we can play playoff games at Gillette [Stadium] with better weather, that’s always good. It’s going to be different, but for sure it’ll be good.”
At 33 years old, the light at the end of Gil's career tunnel is shining brighter and brighter. There is the potential that the midfielder's final soccer game is played in a Revolution uniform.
The captain has given a lot to the club and has the silverware to prove it. Now it is time for the club to give Gil a championship-roster to play with and help the midfielder potentially lift an MLS Cup trophy prior to his retirement.
