FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For Pablo Moreira, getting his shot is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity. Just as he felt prepared to lead New England’s first team as interim head coach through the final four games of this past season, he’s now ready for the challenge as he takes the reins of Revolution II.

“I’ve always said God’s timing is perfect,” said Moreira, who was officially named head coach of Revolution II on Wednesday morning. “It’s something I’ve prepared for, I’m excited for, and to have this platform of, if not the best, one of the top second teams in this league.

“I want to start by thanking God for the opportunity to serve as head coach for New England Revolution II. Secondly, I want to thank our owners and leadership team, in particular Brian (Bilello) and Curt (Onalfo) for their mentorship and guidance throughout this process. Lastly, I wanted to thank my mother and father. This is a dream – a dream to work at this club, in this role, surrounded by a plethora of amazing people. None of this would have come to fruition without their sacrifice and for that I am forever grateful.”

Soccer runs deep in Moreira’s blood. His father, Jose “Chico” Moreira, represented Uruguay at the international level, and Pablo himself has spent more than a decade coaching in MLS, winning two MLS Cups as an assistant with the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew. Prior to that, he spent three years working with young players as an assistant coach and video analyst at the University of Akron, his alma mater. Since 2024, he has served as an assistant coach with the Revolution first team, building strong relationships across the club.

That experience proved invaluable when he stepped in as interim head coach during the final month of the 2025 season. To him, that month was the best education he could’ve gotten as he readies himself for the road ahead.

“Everyone wants to be ready for their moment, but regardless of if you’re ready when it gets thrown at you, you have to be. There’s a lot of things you can’t account for, that’s why you have to go through it. That’s why they call it experience,” he said as he reflected on his role with first team. “Doing that for a month, I felt like I got an Ivy League degree. Getting thrown in at the hottest time of the season, it was great. I was able to draw so much from that and now I can use it for the upcoming challenges. I have it in the bag when you need to know what to do in those moments.”

Unlike most head coaches who arrive with a limited knowledge of their roster, Moreira already has familiarity with many Revolution II players. To him, that understanding builds a winning culture.

“It’s massive, to come in and already understand and know a player versus coming in blind. In this club we talk a lot about vertical integration, and it’s not just talk,” Moreira said. “Having the familiarity with these players, knowing who we have to choose from, and a strong understanding of the roster, it’s really going to help us succeed.”

Vertical integration is something Moreira is passionate about, and it’s a philosophy that also attracted the club to Marko Mitrović as head coach of the first team. Moreira sees his role as complementary to Mitrović, with both sharing a vision for aggressive, disciplined soccer.

“Working with Marko for just a couple of weeks already, you can tell that the lines of communication are open. We view the game very similarly, and I think that’s why it works out with both of us being first team and second team coaches,” he explained. “There’s going to be fluidity that benefits the players and the club.

“I want my teams to be disciplined and aggressive. Aggressive in the attack and aggressive defending,” he said. “I want people to know that’s a New England Revolution player just because they’re so mentally and physically disciplined. We want to be able to identify a New England Revolution player regardless of first or second team.”

Moreira joins Revolution II as only the third head coach in their brief history. He’ll begin the 2026 season following a campaign that saw the team qualify for their second-ever playoff run.

While his eyes are always set on results and championships, Moreira knows that the journey – especially with a developmental team – is about much more than wins.

“If you want to know my why, it’s the players. Wins and losses are massive, it’s what drives this industry, but I’m in it because of the relationships and how you can help a young kid attain their dreams,” he explained. “If you would have told me 15 years ago I’d be here, you’d have to pinch me. We’re all just living our dreams and trying to walk each other home at the end of the day. I know what we have in this team, and this is going to be a great year for the club.”