FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Sunkissed and refreshed after a three-week pause from training, the New England Revolution are back in Foxborough. While several players spent time on international duty, others embraced a rare midseason chance to rest during the FIFA World Cup break.
Ahead of the break, a few players admitted that it felt strange to halt momentum during such a strong run of form. Now reunited, the locker room is eager, excited, and grateful for the opportunity to improve. With the season’s second half approaching, the Revs are treating this stretch almost like another preseason, sharpening details and raising standards for the months ahead.
“After a good first half of the season, it’s exciting to be back. I think we needed the small break for a little bit to come back stronger,” said captain Carles Gil. “We had a good rhythm going, so some could think the break is not good, but with a coach like Marko (Mitrović), it’s always good. It’s very tactical, so we can continue improving things. I think it’s good for the team.”
According to Gil, the coaching staff’s message for the coming month is simple: be better than the first half.
While the team will continue to spend the rest of June at the Revolution Training Center – sharing their facilities with some of the world’s top players as they prepare for more games at Gillette Stadium – the Revs will soon head to Austria for two weeks of work, togetherness, and focus, as they finalize preparations for the second half of MLS play.
“Marko is the kind of coach who pushes us really hard and wants nothing but the best. I think that gives us an edge to come back into the second part of the season and feel super sharp. I can’t speak for other teams, but I can speak for us, and I think this is going to be a really big advantage for us,” said winger Griffin Yow.
The Revs entered the break sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference after an electric start to the season. With a near‑perfect home record and 22 goals scored in their first 14 matches, the group remains hungry and more focused than ever.
“It’s about being in even better shape than when we left. From the very first moment back, the first training, the first meeting, first warm up, we’ve been full focus. It shouldn’t take us a day to get the gears moving, we’re ready from the start,” said Yow. “I think everyone is champing at the bit to get back on the field and get some results.”
Following the conclusion of the World Cup, the Revolution will resume play at Gillette Stadium on July 22. They’ll first take on Toronto FC midweek before hosting Atlanta United on July 25, looking to build on their seven home victories.
“We just want to continue winning games. It’s the best feeling. We want to be on the top of the league and for that, we need to keep winning, continue being strong at home. For the next two games we are home and we just have to keep doing what we’ve done and never stop improving,” said Gil.
Foxborough has been buzzing with fans from around the world during the World Cup, but the Revolution are longing to see it filled with their own supporters again. With a month of hard work ahead, the Revs are grinding to ensure that when they return, they deliver a show worthy of the wait.
