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FOXBOROUGH, MA– The Marko Mitrović era is well underway in New England Revolution as they comfortably sit in the top 4 of the MLS Eastern Conference after 10 Major League Soccer matches.
Marko Mitrović speaks during a postgame press conference. Image Courtesy of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
Back in September of 2025 when Sporting Director Curt Onalfo began the New England Revolution coaching search, Onalfo told reporters of the importance of New England’s next coach to win their home games.
“We need to win our home games, it’s pretty simple,” Onalfo stated. “If you look at our record, our away record was solid. If we had a better home record, we wouldn’t be having this press conference. It’s a results-oriented business and we have to find a way to win games at home. Our fans deserve it, the organization deserves it. That’s a major focus for us, we have to have good home form. If you have good home form, you can now become a winning team and now you can start talking about things that are beyond just being a winning team.”
Less than two months later, Onalfo hired Marko Mitrović as New England’s next head coach.
During his introductory press conference, Onalfo stated, “Marko is exceptional in every way. The perfect blend of old school, championship level coaching, with the modern tactical brilliance. He is very demanding, yet deeply compassionate. He knows exactly what today’s players need to thrive, while using modern winning strategies that define elite coaching. He is a strong, humble leader, with relentless energy, and a fearless bravery. Humble enough to listen, caring enough to connect, and an absolute killer when it matters most.”
Curt Onalfo expressed satisfaction with his decision to hire Marko Mitrović, noting that he has a clear style of play, an aggressive approach, understands what it takes to win both home and away, and attacks in a way that creates numerous chances and goal scorers.
Marko Mitrović looks on prior to an MLS match. Image Courtesy of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
After Onalfo’s opening statements back in November, Mitrović told local reporters his philosophy and need of fighting spirit inside this New England Revolution locker room. “Before we go to any tactics, we have to have fighting spirit. We have to understand that we go out there to give everything we have, and that’s, for me, non-negotiable. Before we talk about any quality of our player or individual quality, we have to be sure that every player gave, that day, everything. We will live with the outcome of our performance. Now, tactically, let’s simplify this. I will use one word, it’s attack. We will attack with the ball, and we will attack the ball when we don’t have the ball, and we will be very aggressive with that.”
Through 10 MLS matches, Marko Mitrović has delivered on his philosophy, his promises, and his vision—guiding New England toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
In his short time in charge, New England already has five wins and 11 different goal scorers in fewer than 10 MLS games. Last year, the team had nine wins and 12 different goal scorers across 34 matches.
Marko Mitrović looks on prior to an MLS match. Image Courtesy of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe.
“When I asked Marko Mitrović on Thursday about his previous introductory press conference comments, the current state of the team, and number of different goal scorers, he said,“I think, number one, I believe every player that started to play soccer started to play because they love the ball. I think even our defenders today were probably the best goals scorers in their neighborhoods or backyards where they played. Every player has that ‘I can score goals’ [mentality]inside of themselves, it’s just how we can initiate those moments.”
“Obviously, when you get to the real game, it’s normal that players higher on the field score more goals because they’re more talented to do those things but they’re always closer to goal and to execute. But there are moments in the game where every player can be in a spot to score. When you have set pieces, that’s when defenders join the box. Even in open play, when you have rotations on the field in a proper way and they get in the box, they can score goals. I just love to have a team that has personalities like we have right now, that in any given moment, any player can score the goal.”
“I would love that Dor [Turgeman] and Leo [Campana] score 50 goals this year, our two forwards, and Marcos Zambrano, whoever is on the field. But on the other side, I don’t want to rely on our forwards scoring goals and if they don’t score, what’s happening now on the field for us?”
When Marko speaks, we listen 👂 #ATLvNE pic.twitter.com/mMNz0ny0ej
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 23, 2026
Marko Mitrović clearly had a vision for New England when he was hired, rooted in his familiarity with the roster.
“Obviously working with the players, you will learn the context much better than looking from outside. And what are demands? What are their ceilings? Any given opportunity that we can improve our team, I’m quite positive that the club will take steps, and we have departments that work on that, but current roster, we’re in a good spot.”
Marko Mitrović entered the season having previously coached goalkeeper Matt Turner (U.S. Men’s National Team), defender Peyton Miller (U.S. U-20 World Cup), and midfielder Matt Polster (Chicago Fire).
He then added several more familiar faces, including Brooklyn Raines and Ethan Kohler (both U.S. U-20 World Cup), Griffin Yow (2024 Olympics), and Marcos Zambrano (on loan from Real Salt Lake, also part of the U.S. U-20 World Cup setup).
Additionally, he went out and added a former New England Revolution Home Grown Player & 15-year MLS veteran in midfielder Diego Fagundez.
We 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥#NEvCLB pic.twitter.com/wVLVtVVFI4
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) April 19, 2026
It’s important to note that, based not only on what I’ve heard but also on what I’ve seen firsthand, Marko Mitrović has done an excellent job building positive relationships with his players, staff, and everyone within the New England Revolution organization.
“I think the best signing that the club made [this offseason]was bringing Marko in,” stated defender Andrew Farrell. “He’s building a team culture that were needed. He’s done a great job at bringing confidence to all the players on the team.”
When asked about the culture change and belief that Marko Mitrović has instilled in the team, defender Will Sands said, “I think it’s a belief in each of us as individual players, and he tries to bring out the best in us. But it’s also a belief in the group as a whole.”
In the pre-match presser, defender Peyton Miller was asked whether he had ever played under a coach as passionate as Marko Mitrović. He said, “It’s truly amazing to see his mindset, his mentality, and the impact he’s had on our team.”
The hope is that Mitrović can continue to build on his promises and bring New England back to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2023.
New England Revolution Logo. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.
Marko Mitrović and the New England Revolution (5-1-3, 16 pts.) return home to face Eastern Conference side Orlando City SC (2-1-6, 7 pts.) in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. The match is set to kickoff at Centreville Bank Stadium on Wednesday, April 29th at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Adrian Heinsohn’s photos, click on the link)
