Morning Sports Update
“He’s OK with that actually in this country.”
New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft attends a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York on July 17, 2026. Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
July 20, 2026 | 11:56 AM
3 minutes to read
Trump’s reference to the New England Revolution: Robert Kraft was in attendance at Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday for a FIFA reception prior to the World Cup final, sitting right in President Trump’s sightline as he delivered remarks.
Trump, who described Kraft as a longtime friend, couldn’t help but make an off-the-cuff reference to the Patriots and Revolution owner.
“I’ll say the word football,” Trump said in reference to soccer. “It gets a little confusing here because we have the great Bob Kraft. He’s won six Super Bowls? Six Super Bowls.”
Trump invited Kraft to stand and receive a round of applause. He then improvised a reference to the Revolution, the Major League Soccer team that Kraft founded and owns.
“And he also owns a soccer team, which is good, but hasn’t been quite as good as the football [team]. Do you agree? Not quite,” Trump said.
“And you’re OK with that. He’s OK with that actually in this country,” Trump concluded before moving back to his lengthy address.
The Patriots have been to 10 Super Bowls since Kraft became the team’s owner in 1994, winning six. The Revolution, which began play in the inaugural season of MLS in 1996, have been to five MLS Cups, but have yet to win it (the club does have a 2007 U.S. Open Cup and a 2021 Supporters’ Shield in its trophy case).
Predictably, the off-handed reference to the Revolution was noted on social media, with fans left to once again speculate about Kraft’s apparent commitment to the MLS club.
Despite the awkward moment with the president, Kraft has actually demonstrated a willingness to spend on his soccer team. The club opened a $35 million training facility in 2019, and currently ranks in the upper half of MLS in a comparison of team payrolls. The boldest project will inevitably be the proposed soccer stadium in Everett, which could cost several hundred million dollars.
Kraft’s commitment to soccer also spans several decades, having pushed for Foxborough to be a host site for both the 1994 and 2026 World Cups (as well as in 1999 and 2003 for the women’s edition of the tournament).
Trivia: Which former Boston College star was signed by Donald Trump’s New Jersey Generals (of the United States Football League) in Feb. 1985 before eventually making his way to both the NFL and CFL?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: He attended high school in Natick.
Scores and schedules:
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday in New Jersey to win the World Cup, with Ferran Torres breaking through in the 106th minute to deliver the winner.
The Red Sox defeated the Rays 6-1, completing a three-game sweep and extending the team’s remarkable winning streak to 13 straight. Boston begins a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Orioles this evening at 7:10 p.m.
And Legacy FC fell 2-1 to the Washington Spirit.
More from Boston.com:
The goal that won the World Cup: Though Argentina’s stingy defense made sure that it didn’t happen during regular time, Ferran Torres finally found the back of the net for Spain in extra time, scoring what will stand through the ages as an iconic goal.
¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE ESPAÑAAAAAAAAAA!!! ¡¡¡FERRAN TORRES!!! ¡¡¡GOL HISTÓRICO!!!
El jugador de Barcelona la manda a guardar y le está dando la Copa del Mundo a La Roja.
1-0 vencen a Argentina en el segundo tiempo extra. pic.twitter.com/1i19Rte528
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 19, 2026
On this day: In 2000, the Red Sox split a day-night doubleheader with the Orioles, winning the first game 11-7 before dropping the rematch 9-4.
As from that day, outfielder Carl Everett was given a 10-game suspension after he got into an on-field shouting match with umpire Ronald Kulpa.
Daily highlight: Dave O’Brien was amped after the Red Sox clinched a remarkable 13th consecutive win.
Trivia answer: Doug Flutie
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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