SARASOTA, Fla. – The New England Revolution are wrapping up their monthlong camp in Florida and beginning to fully shift their focus toward the season opener in Nashville on February 21. With one last preseason test awaiting them back home in Foxborough on Saturday against Hartford Athletic, the group returns north having made significant strides from day one. With a fire burning and intensity revving up, both coaches and players are excited by what they’ve built together on the fields in Bradenton.
“The foundation we’ve made is really awesome. I think underpinning it all is intensity in everything we do,” said defender Will Sands. “With a new coaching staff it always takes a minute to get used to the tactics they want and their vision for the game. It takes time to implement, and so these weeks and the games have been really important to build that understanding.”
From the start, head coach Marko Mitrović and his staff have laid out a clear identity for the team. Under his leadership the Revs have emphasized intensity, attacking aggression, togetherness, and high standards – principles which have echoed across training sessions as the club sets its sights on 2026.
With four preseason matches completed and weeks of training sessions spent setting the tone for the approaching season, assistant coach Sean Hughes believes the team is heading in the right direction ahead of opening day.
“There’s a hunger and a commitment to compete, and that’s what we’re about. We want to make sure we’re going forward in the right direction, but we never want to lose that edge and that mentality – that’s a strong part of this,” he explained. “There’s tactically things that we’ll keep moving forward with also, but the guys I think are in a good spot.”
The time spent in Florida has given the staff a valuable window to evaluate not just individual performances and fitness, but how different player combinations mesh on the pitch. With a handful of new players joining the roster, everyone has been pushing to earn a starting role.
“We’ve still yet to put out a team where – we’ve had a lot different lineups and different rotations. I think solidifying the guys as we get closer to that Nashville game who will probably start the match, those are things we’re looking forward to, and there’s still great competition within the team at a few of those spots,” Hughes explained.
Through change and competition, the group has been anchored by the strong relationships they’ve built in this locker room. Players and staff alike have emphasized a sense of unity that hasn’t wavered, even as standards rise and expectations grow. That closeness is something they believe will be felt by fans from the first whistle.
“There’s always a big focus on the games. You’ve got to win in this league. Right now, our focus is on building the best possible base for us, for ourselves, and becoming the best team we can be,” said Sands. “Everyone here is hard working, which I appreciate. There is big emphasis on defending which has been great for me. We’re also trying to implement a lot more attacking movements and creativity in the game. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
And it’s not long now until fans will be watching the Revs hit the pitch again. Homeward bound, the Revolution will face Hartford Athletic this Saturday afternoon, February 14 before kicking off the season in Nashville on February 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
