FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Preseason preparations have officially wrapped, and the New England Revolution have entered match week one. While it may seem like the end of preseason marks a shift in mindset, the reality is that New England has been preparing for this moment since the squad first stepped foot back in Foxborough, before heading down to Florida five weeks ago.
When asked if the focus has changed ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Nashville, midfielder Matt Polster didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “It’s been a consistent base of what (head coach Marko Mitrović) asked for. He’s just implemented a little bit more each day … It was a long preseason, so now to play when it means something is the best feeling.”
Saturday will be New England’s first MLS match under Mitrović, and throughout his first six weeks with the club, players have repeatedly praised his emphasis on intensity. From day one, Mitrović has demanded high standards, not only on the field, but in everything they do. The standard is apparent as the team prepares itself for Nashville: level-headed, confident, and grounded in the foundation they’ve built.
“I think we have the right balance of focus and just knowing that we have a great team, it can only be positive in the first game,” explained newcomer Griffin Yow. “The message is really clear. It’s been the same all preseason. Just because now that there is a game, it hasn’t changed much. But one thing we can always control is our intensity and how hard we work, so I think that has kind of been the mindset we’ve had.”
The Revolution know they will face a fierce test in Nashville. Opening the season on the road is always a challenge, but Mitrović isn’t dwelling on the club’s past record in away openers. He’s more interested in rewriting the narrative.
“I know it’s the opener on the road, but personally I don’t look at it that way. Stats are there, but stats sometimes can go in our favor before a game or can go against us. I think every game is a new game for itself. The [past] record [in season openers] is there, but we can change that record in a positive way,” said Mitrović.
Back on the training pitch in Foxborough, the players seem unfazed by the cold and snow. The mood is high, the hunger is obvious, and the effort hasn’t dipped for a moment.
“It’s really a group of guys, and I’ve said this quite a few times so far, that's humble in a good way. It’s a working group that is ready and open to receiving new things and trying to implement that immediately on the field,” explained Mitrović. “We are happy. Every meeting we have, we get on the field and whatever is addressed, the guys are trying immediately to implement that. It has been a very positive five to six weeks so far.”
Now, the team is just ready to put their efforts into action and get the first season of Mitrović ball underway. There’s no sense of hesitation, no wavering between preseason and the real thing. The Revolution are a group fully aligned in a new direction, eager to test themselves in a meaningful way for the first time in 2026.
“We’re going into every game to win. That’s the mentality, but also to implement what Marko has asked for. I think if we do what’s asked and we implement it properly; we’ll create a lot of chances and from there the results will come," Polster explained. "Nashville are going to be up for it, so we have to match that intensity, which we will. From there, we have to let our soccer do the talking.”
