Martin Rogers

USA TODAY Sports

Robert Kraft has one immediate issue on his mind and it has nothing to do with Tom Brady's health, the New England Patriots defensive line or even last weekend's quickly forgotten defeat in Green Bay.

Kraft's prevailing concern on Wednesday was negotiating the paperwork required for helicopter flight patterns in Southern California, the only obstacle threatening to disrupt a frenetic and potentially fruitful Sunday schedule.

The 73-year-old Patriots chief also owns the New England Revolution, who will battle for the MLS Cup title against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. With Major League Soccer's showpiece kicking off at 3 p.m. ET, Kraft will have little time to spare between the contest ending and Brady's bunch challenging the Chargers 120 miles south in San Diego at 8.30 p.m. ET.

"I will definitely be at MLS Cup," Kraft told USA TODAY Sports via telephone. "I am planning to get to San Diego too, as long as we get the helicopter permits."

Naturally, Kraft gets far less attention for his soccer involvement than his NFL exploits, with the Patriots having made six Super Bowls and won three world championships under his reign.

The Revolution have been less successful, and will be seeking the first title in their 18-year history when the play at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif. Kraft's ownership has occasionally generated criticism from frustrated fans, with some insisting his focus is too squarely trained upon the gridiron, with the soccer franchise cast as the forgotten stepchild.

However, such complaints should be put to rest now; not because of Kraft's planned chopper flight down the California coastline or even his ongoing efforts to get the Revolution its own, soccer-specific venue in the Boston area.

The driving force behind the Revolution's involvement in this season's MLS final is one that stems directly from Kraft's own pocketbook, namely the team's post-World Cup signing of United States midfielder Jermaine Jones.

Jones was one of the national team's primary stars in Brazil over the summer and splashing out a salary of $3 million to land him broke the Revolution's previously frugal blueprint.

The 33-year-old, born and raised in Germany but holding American citizenship through his former serviceman father, became the team's first "designated player," the MLS mechanism that prevents the full salary of a star player counting against the cap.

"We have always resisted getting fancy names who would just be a nice moniker," Kraft said. "We are about winning.

"We wanted the kind of player to have an impact both on the field and in the locker room. We did our research and (Jones) was that guy. In my opinion he was the best American player at the World Cup and we went and got him.

"He's made everyone else raise their game and that is what you are looking for from your leader."

True value for money is difficult to quantify in a league where many players still earn less than $50,000 per year, yet Jones undoubtedly provided the spark that injected fresh hope into the team's season.

The Revolution went 8-1-1 to close out the campaign and, operating in a free-flowing, attack-minded role, Jones provided a perfect complement to all-action midfielder Lee Nguyen, a finalist in the league's MVP voting.

Jones is the kind of ultra-competitive player who is beloved by his own fans and often detested by those of his opponents, a reality and a reputation he has no problem with.

"I love it a little bit when people start to hate me," Jones said. "I try to always win the games for my team. What people say about me I don't care so much, I can take that.

"We have one more game to get the Cup. We respect (the Galaxy) but we don't have to be afraid of them. We go there to win."

The Revolution are 0-4 in MLS title games, including three defeats in a row from 2005-07, with current head coach Jay Heaps missing a crucial penalty kick in a shootout loss against Houston in the 2006 final.

The visitors will be an underdog against the Galaxy, which feature league MVP Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan, who will play his final game before retirement and seek to give L.A. its third championship in four years.

Yet there is a confidence about New England that stems from its swashbuckling recent form, and runs all the way to the top of the organization.

For Kraft, victory would be the highest point of an understated but admirably long soccer journey, with his family having owned the Revolution since the inception of MLS.

"It is an important game for the Patriots and San Diego is a tough team," Kraft said. "But if we win the MLS Cup and I am there celebrating with our team … well, I might be a little late."