SARASOTA, Fla. – After Marko Mitrović took over as the New England Revolution’s new head coach, he wasted no time bringing in midfielder Brooklyn Raines to join him for his first season in Foxborough. Raines joins the Revolution roster after four seasons with Houston Dynamo FC and reunites with Mitrović, who coached him for the United States at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile last year.
For Raines, the opportunity to play for Mitrović again is something he doesn’t take lightly. In fact, he says it’s been a major boost knowing he was one of the first players Mitrović targeted for New England.
“We had actually spoken a little bit in the offseason about him potentially having this job and that I was a player that he wanted to bring in,” explained Raines. “I think with him sending that message, letting me know that I was a player that he wanted to bring in, is a huge confidence boost. That’s something you want from a head coach, to have that confidence in you to help you perform.”
It only took Raines a few minutes in a Revs uniform to validate Mitrović’s vision for the 20-year-old. After immediately building connections with his teammates on the training ground in Florida, Raines logged his first Revolution assist in New England’s preseason opener against Sarasota Paradise last week.
Both on and off the pitch, the Chicago product has blended seamlessly into the Revolution locker room. While familiar faces like Peyton Miller and Ethan Kohler helped ease the transition, Raines was overcome with joy when speaking about all of his new teammates.
“On the field we take it seriously, but off the field it’s a lot of jokes. I’ve been sitting with [Andrew] Farrell at dinner. Me and him are just making jokes all the time. Even with [Matt] Polster, obviously Peyton [Miller] and Ethan [Kohler],” he said through laughter. “It’s a great group of guys. I think from day one, they’ve all been so welcoming, very approachable, and very easy to work with, so that really helps.”
For a young player like Raines, New England is a great place to develop. With a roster featuring everyone from teenagers to veterans more than a decade his elder, Raines has had no trouble finding both friendship and guidance from the men around him.
Amongst those leaders is Revolution captain Carles Gil, someone who Raines explains has been incredible to learn from so far this preseason.
“He’s definitely one of the best players I’ve ever seen play. His creativity, what he’s able to do on the ball, off the ball, his effort. Also his humbleness, I think that’s something a lot of people don’t take into consideration, just having a captain that obviously is going to push you but also supports you in the same way. I think for a young player like myself, that’s a huge confidence boost knowing that if I were to make a mistake, he’s going to have my back, but at the same time holds a high standard,” Raines said.
If the first two weeks of preseason are any indication of what lies ahead in 2026, Raines appears to be charting a promising path in New England. His early performances, growing confidence under Mitrović, and seamless integration into an established locker room all point toward a young midfielder ready to make a meaningful impact. With the trust of his head coach, the support of seasoned teammates, and a hunger to keep evolving, Raines looks poised to continue his progress both as a player and one of the newest members of the Revolution.
