New England Revolution head coach Marko Mitrovic understands the need to navigate the inevitable challenges of a season.
After a 1-3-0 start, the Revs went unbeaten in seven (6-0-1), suggesting they had adjusted to their new coach. They entered the World Cup break fourth in the Eastern Conference with an 8-5-1 record.
The team looked more adept at a free-flowing style once play resumed, even if results didn't initially show it.
The Revolution were 1-2-2 before a 5-1-1 run that put them second in the East. They maintained their strong home record while becoming more consistent on the road.
Losses to Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders – both 3-0 scorelines – have the Revs in fourth, but the Revs aren't changing their methods.
“I don't think that our mindset is changed or will be changed," Mitrovic said. "We really have the same approach, and that's something that I greatly appreciate from this group, that they come to work every day and understand that there are challenges ahead of us, and they are ready to face them."
Like any team, the Revs have dealt with injuries.
Ilay Feingold and Luca Langoni recently returned from long-term injuries, while Leo Campana is expected back soon.
Mamadou Fofana, who played every minute in 26 games, will "need a couple more weeks" after missing the Seattle game due to a hamstring injury.
Alhassan Yusuf, who has the fourth most goals on the team (5), and Jack Harrison, who had six assists in six starts, were announced to be away for at least six weeks of MLS action on Sept. 16. Yusuf is dealing with a hamstring strain while Harrison suffered a proximal quad strain.
While these are key players, the Revs are focused on finding ways to collect points without them.
"We're not going to have [Yusuf and Harrison] back for a few more weeks," Mitrovic said. "It's kind of like, who is the next man?"
Jackson Yueill has recorded four straight starts in the middle while Daniel Gazdag and Langoni have earned minutes at wide forward. Joshua Wynder has made back-to-back starts at center back.
While Mitrovic believes in keeping core principles intact, he also understands that "every player has very different characteristics."
"We always try to adapt to players' strengths and who they are," Mitrovic said. "We cannot expect that somebody comes and copy-paste what Luca is doing, or Luca is copying and pasting what someone else is doing. We are not going to change ourselves because of certain personalities on the field, but we have to adapt to those players and who they are."
With six games left, the Revs are on the verge of making the playoffs after missing out the last two years.
This isn't on their mind, however, as they're keen on taking the right actions every day, an approach that helped them find success throughout the season despite challenges.
"We just have to keep going and being who we are, understanding that there are always going to be challenges," Mitrovic said. "There are going to be good times, there are going to be more difficult times. That's part of our lives. We just have to keep going."
