FOXBOROUGH -- Robert Kraft says he learned about the sport of soccer and its power back in the 1980s, when he traveled to Europe for his paper and packaging company.
"I realized I could get seats in the Royal Albert Music Hall or for symphonies in Germany, because the World Cup was on and there was no competition," said Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots and New England Revolution. "Everything dies in Europe when the World Cup is on. I know what happens in America with American football and how we build a sense of community, but I think the sport of soccer does that globally, like nothing else."
Twenty-seven years ago, Kraft saw the power of soccer envelop the U.S. More specifically, he saw it happen in Massachusetts, just months after he took control of the Patriots.
