BRADENTON, Fla. – With only four days of preseason training under their belts, the New England Revolution kicked off 2026 with a bang on Saturday afternoon, looking like a team united under new head coach Marko Mitrović as they soared to a 6–0 win in their preseason opener against USL League One’s Sarasota Paradise in sunny Bradenton, Florida.
New England played 90 minutes against the Sarasota squad, dividing the game between two groups, each playing a 45-minute half.
“No matter what, game fitness is game fitness and the easiest way for them to develop that, to sustain the intensity we are talking about, is through playing games,” explained Mitrović following the final whistle. “The other thing for us, it’s also a great opportunity to see the guys. They are all even and they are fighting for their spots, and it’s good for us to learn how much we can get from each of them.”
While 45 minutes of sustained play could be demanding less than a week into preseason, the team left the pitch feeling fit, sharp, and energized by both their chemistry and the positive result.
“The work we have done this week has been really positive. I think there is a lot to learn with the new staff and how we want to play, but I think the guys have really taken the message and understand that we want to play with the ball, we want to be aggressive, create a lot of goalscoring opportunities, and today was a great opportunity to practice that,” said midfielder Jackson Yueill, who netted the Revs’ third goal in the 38th minute, off a cross from Luca Langoni. “Marko and his staff have done a really good job bringing everyone in and giving a clear message and intent of how we want to play, and you could see that through both groups today.”
Mitrović’s message to the team has consistently emphasized intensity. It’s a word that has come up often throughout this first week in Florida, and it was most definitely evident on the field.
With Saturday’s six goals coming from six different players – three in each half – the entire Revolution roster was eager to help the team get off on the right foot this year.
“Everyone has something to prove, and it showed today where everyone’s trying to crash the box, everyone’s trying to score goals. It shows a hunger and an omen for the good things to come,” said defender Will Sands. “I think everyone is learning and there is a way to go to make sure there is a good final product, but the process of understanding what he [Mitrović] wants and the fundamental aspects of his style of play, is really fun actually. I think everyone is really excited.”
Arguably the most excited players leaving the pitch on Saturday were those who added their names to the scoresheet, and there was no shortage of them. Tanner Beason opened the scoring with the first goal of preseason, rising at the near post to head home Carles Gil’s corner kick in the 15th minute. Leo Campana redeemed his earlier missed penalty – saved by Paradise’s keeper – by doubling the lead in the 35th minute off an assist from Gevork Diarbian. Entering the second half, Dor Turgeman followed up Yueill’s goal by making it 4-0 with nearly 30 minutes to play. Rounding out the scoring were Homegrown products Cristiano Oliveira, who officially signed with the first team earlier this week, and Eric Klein, who slotted in the final goal just before the whistle off a feed from newcomer Brooklyn Raines.
“As a team, one thing we speak about is that we have to feel comfortable wherever the ball is, any moment of the game. If we are defending and then we are attacking, whoever is there has to be comfortable to score the goals. We are not here to depend on two or three players, because that’s not easy for the team over the whole season – everybody has to have that mindset and the capacity to score goals,” Mitrović said. “It’s nice for all of them to feel that part, like, ‘If I am doing the right things and in the right spot, I can put my name on the board.’ So, that’s great score wise. Listen, winning matters.”
As the team continues to build a foundation under Mitrović, they’ll have a little wind in their sails following Saturday’s result. With just over a month until the first game of the 2026 regular season, the Revs are ready to keep working, filled with excitement and positive energy as they reunite under the Florida sun.
New England will play their next preseason match against FC Cincinnati next Friday, January 23 at 12 p.m. ET.
