FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Peyton Miller has been part of the New England Revolution organization since he was 13 years old. Beginning his journey with the Revolution Academy, Miller’s parents would drive him from his hometown of Unionville, Connecticut all the way to Foxborough for training every day.

When he was 14, they made the big decision for him to join the club’s residency program, meaning he would be moving away from home before he even knew how to drive. It was a leap of faith, but it was all in pursuit of his dreams.

“It was a big change, leaving all my friends and family behind,” said Miller, who moved into a house near the Revolution Training Center with host parents and several other Academy players. “But I knew it was what I had to do to make my dreams come true.”

It was a difficult decision that ultimately paid off, as Miller is now a regular fixture in the Revolution starting lineup at just 17 years old. The young defender was already making waves in MLS before he even graduated from high school, earning his diploma just a few months ago this past April.

Of course, Miller’s high school experience looked different than most – while others were walking the halls, he was spending hours on the training field and attending classes online. Still, he tried to soak up a lot of the moments that truly matter, spending time back home with friends, and even attending his first prom this year.

And though he didn’t walk across the stage with other students, his Revolution teammates made sure his graduation was celebrated – surprising him with a cap and gown and cheering him on as he walked across the film room.

“I definitely wasn't expecting them to celebrate it for me, but I appreciated it a lot,” said Miller. “It meant a lot to me.”

Most of Miller’s teammates are nearly a decade older than him – some are almost twice his age – but he doesn’t let that faze him.

“If you’re good enough, you’re good enough,” he explained.

Being a professional athlete at 17 years old is rare, but being a key player at that age is even more impressive. Miller’s age is obviously a frequent topic of conversation, which he admits can get repetitive, but he embraces it. He worked hard to be in this exact position.

Now, he’s focused on giving other young players an opportunity. Recently, he returned to his hometown to host the first-ever Peyton Miller Soccer Clinic, supporting the Farmington Soccer Club – the same youth organization where he first fell in love with the game.

Miller wants to be someone young players can look up to, the same way he has looked up to the veterans around him. Specifically, he names Andrew Farrell and Matt Polster for shaping his growth on and off the pitch.

“I’ve been able to train with them since I was about 15, and they’ve helped me a lot. They’ve encouraged me to keep learning from my mistakes. Mistakes are just a part of it,” Miller said. “They're also not afraid to tell me if I'm doing something wrong or even yell at me. That’s what I want. I don't want anyone to baby me or be soft because I'm young. I want them to be hard on me because I want to get better.”

A lot has changed since Miller was a 15-year-old prospect signing his first MLS contract. He has not only matured as a player, but has also become an integral part of both New England’s defense and attack. Earlier this year, as the Revs faced CF Montréal, Miller scored his first-ever MLS goal, a moment that symbolized just how far he’s come and honored the sacrifices that he’s made along the way.

“It was kind of crazy. I was in shock when I scored it. I didn’t even know how to react, I think I hit four different celebrations,” Miller said, reflecting on the moment. “I was definitely smiling a lot after the game and a lot of people were texting me. My parents were happy. They were proud of me.”

Despite hitting milestones on and off the field – buying his first car at the start of the season, even though he wasn’t old enough to sign for it himself – Miller doesn’t yet feel like he’s made it.

“I think there's a lot more for me to accomplish in my career. I have a long career ahead of me, so I'm just going to keep grinding and keep learning,” he said.

The young star remains grounded, driven by the same passion that took root as he rose through the Revolution Academy. And if Miller’s journey so far is any indication, the best is yet to come.