Head coach Marko Mitrovic first learned that the New England Revolution had qualified for the playoffs at the press conference after Wednesday's 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati.

"I didn't even know, to be honest," Mitrovic said. "It might sound silly, but I’m not checking what’s going on around [the league]. We don’t talk about playoffs. We have different objectives."

In fairness, the Revs' clinching scenario was complicated, as it required a win plus other results going their way. But the moment reveals something about the steadfast Mitrovic, who has consistently preached the value of maximizing every opportunity.

A 1-3-0 start to the season didn't deter his vision, as the team found ways to collect points while adapting to a new culture and system. They now sit third in the Eastern Conference and will play postseason soccer for the first time since 2023.

It's easy to get caught up in soccer's highs and lows, but Mitrovic prefers to stay even-keeled.

“Just go day by day," Mitrovic said.

Mitrovic's measured approach is seen in how he works with players.

Peyton Miller and Joshua Wynder, both part of Mitrovic's 2025 U-20 World Cup squad, stood out on Wednesday. Miller recorded two assists, created the most joint chances (3), and completed the most joint dribbles (2). Wynder had the goal to give the Revs a 2-1 advantage.

Mitrovic was happy with their performances but also recognized it's just one data point.

"They’re all still in growing processes of their career," Mitrovic said. "There will still be ups and downs. I know that after the games, people can be emotional based on whether their performance was good or maybe not very good. I’m very patient and very focused on the process."

This patience is seen with Dor Turgeman.

After scoring in his first three MLS games in 2025, the striker had only two goals before this year's World Cup break. Since then, he's nabbed seven in 14 games.

Mitrovic credits Turgeman's recent success to consistently doing the right things.

“I think if you go back and check what we talked about at the very beginning [of the season], I do remember that I said Dor has a high ceiling as a player and he’s still a young player," Mitrovic said. "He had a certain installed behavior that we believed he had to change in order to get to the next level, in order to move toward his ceiling and his max potential.

"I believe that not just after the World Cup break, but he really invested time and energy to understand what we’re looking for him to do and how to execute those things. He has massive work behind him in the last eight, nine months. I’m happy not just that the work is paying off for him and he has good performances, but also that he’s reaching the next levels in his game."

Mitrovic is as thorough as they come, accentuating the value of each detail. It's a big reason players gravitate to him.

"I think Marko is really good at keeping players humble, and keeping players focused on the task at hand, day by day," Wynder explained. "And I think for me, from the first time I met him, he [gave me a list of things to improve on,] just like he did with Ethan [Kohler]. [After camp,] he sent me away [and told me] to focus on the little things, and I think that helps me every day."

The Revs are back in the playoffs, marking an incredible turnaround for the club that finished 11th in the East last year.

There will be time to celebrate this accomplishment, but in true Mitrovic fashion, the Revs are focused on Saturday's game.

"It’s great, but we have another amazing opponent on Saturday [Chicago Fire FC], in just three days," Mitrovic said. "We have travel now back home, we have to recover, and that’s all I’m thinking of right now."