FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have looked like a new team this season, putting on a series of entertaining performances which have rocketed them to third in the East. They’ve broken records at home, scored 22 goals, and re-established themselves as contenders. Plenty has changed in New England from the past few seasons, but one thing has remained the same: Carles Gil.

The Spaniard currently leads New England in both goals and overall goal contributions, just as he’s done nearly every year since his arrival in 2019. With four goals and four assists, Gil has been the difference maker several times this season, and the 33-year-old maestro is showing no signs of slowing down.

It’s no coincidence that the captain has remained so consistent throughout his time in New England. Gil is a humble leader, who is constantly searching for any way to help his team win.

“For me, what’s important are the wins – the team wins.  I try to help with every possible thing. Sometimes it's with a goal or assists. Sometimes just helping the team to find good places to hurt the other team,” he explained. “I try to do what Marko (Mitrović) wants in every moment. I’ve been lucky to score in the last games and I'm very happy.”

Gil has lived some of the Revolution’s best moments – notably in 2021 when they won the Supporters’ Shield – and he sees similarities from that historic group with this year’s team.

“It’s a different team, a different staff, but I think there is a similar mentality. Since preseason you could feel that we are trying to build a winning mentality, and that’s the key to winning games. If you don’t have that, it’s very difficult to win,” Gil said.

While the roster has remained largely the same from last season, the arrival of Mitrović as head coach has reshaped the team’s mindset in ways Gil immediately felt.

“From the very first call I had with him, in the offseason, I could tell that he is a person that you can know from the first day. He’s very transparent. Not just him, but his staff, too. He’s the boss and he’s been key for everyone,” Gil said. “It’s been great the way he treats everyone on the field, off the field. But you also need to train hard with him. If you don’t, you will not be in a good way, but if you do – you know good things are going to happen.”

In a locker room filled with young talent, Gil understands the responsibility that comes with being captain. Players naturally look to him, but he prefers to blend in as just another member of the group. His advice always remains simple, “to enjoy every moment.”

Gil has always emphasized that he is not the only leader in this Revolution locker room, giving credit to other players who continually step up. Under Mitrović, he says, that collective voice has only grown stronger.

“He involves everyone. Everyone is important and everyone has their own role. On the pitch it’s the same. To keep having this success, we need a group like this where everyone feels like they have a spot,” he said.

Mitrović’s impact on Gil and the team shows up in the small moments away from the pitch, too. Sometimes, it’s not even Carles who shows it, but a different Gil entirely. A few games back, Carles’ young son – also named Marco – joined his dad on the field to celebrate a hard-fought point in Miami. But it wasn’t just Carles he ran to see. The usually reserved toddler made a beeline for Mitrović, throwing his arms around him in a giant hug.

“I was so surprised because Marco doesn’t usually give hugs that easily. Last week he did the same in the locker room, he ran to give Marko a hug. They met before the season when we did a family day at the training center, but these moments have been so good,” Gil said with a smile.

While it’s great to see a star of Gil’s caliber deflect praise toward his teammates and coaching staff – especially during a strong run of form – what stands out more is his hunger to keep improving.

“Sure, I’m experienced, but I still think there are many things I can improve,” said Gil. “Marko has been helping me a lot without the ball to find good movements and space. Offensively too, there are many small things that are new for me, even at 33. It’s important because you need to feel that every day.

“As I get older, I’ve appreciated everything more, coming here and training hard. Normally, what people see is just the game, but there is so much happening during the week that I'm enjoying a lot. And I think the key is to just keep showing that on the pitch.”

And if the Revs keep matching Gil’s hunger, it feels like this season could just keep getting better.