The headline may be the scoreline, but the shape of the game matters just as much. Houston appear to have won it with patience rather than chaos, defending solidly early and then stepping higher once the rhythm changed.
For New England, that is the frustrating part. This was not simply a bad spell; it was a match that drifted away from them.
Mitrovic’s bigger concern may be what comes next. The report says Luca Langoni missed out because of a persistent lower-body issue, with the manager indicating the problem is still in its early stages and could sideline him for a few weeks.
That matters because Langoni appears to be one of the players who gives the Revolution variety in the final third. Without him, the attack can look a little easier to read, especially when the first wave of pressure fades.
There was also a first look at Jack Harrison, who made his debut from the bench. Mitrovic offered a measured view, noting that the winger has only recently joined the group and is still short on training time.
That felt like the correct note. Harrison could still become an important piece, but this looked more like an introduction than a turning point.
The next test will be about response. New England now need to show this was a stumble rather than a shift in momentum, while Houston will try to turn a strong away result into a wider statement over the weeks ahead.