We Got Soccer to Host AC Milan

Foxboro Retailer to Hold Exclusive Autograph Session Saturday

By Mark Goodman

July 23, 2009

When retailer We Got Soccer moved from its Raynham, Mass. site to a new, significantly larger store across the street from Patriot Place in Foxboro, one of its hopes was for increased visibility.

The store will get plenty of it this Saturday at 4 p.m., as AC Milan will be holding an exclusive autograph session for fans as part of the build-up to Sunday’s match against intercity rivals Inter.

We Got Soccer

We Got Soccer has expanded its offering of jerseys, cleats and other merchandise with the opening of its new store in Foxboro, Mass.

We Got Soccer owner Mike O’Connor said Wednesday the entire team will be there. With stars like Ronaldinho, Pato, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Alessandro Nesta, this is no small deal.

O’Connor said there could be as many as several thousand people at the event.

“We’ve done a lot of team stuff where you’ll get five or six guys, and the other players come up with other stuff that they have to be doing,” O’Connor said. “But in this case, the team is training here (at Gillette Stadium) after the appearance, so we’re going to get the whole team.”

O’Connor said fans will be brought in on a first-come, first-serve basis. Music, games and food will be available outside for those waiting in line.

The change in location, O’Connor said, has been a positive for his business.

“It’s been good; there’s no comparison between Route 1 in Foxboro and Route 44 in Raynham,” O’Connor said. “Route 44 is a busy road, but Route 1 gets a lot more traffic.”

The store is also much bigger than its predecessor, allowing it to sell more jerseys and footwear. It also features a lounge, sponsored by Puma, with games, wireless internet and a large-screen television.

O’Connor is hoping to attract even more business with Saturday’s event.

“We’re definitely going to get a lot of new eyes, and we can even get some old customers who maybe weren’t aware that we moved and be blown away by the new store,” O’Connor said. “Looking at the big picture, it s a great opportunity for us.”

We Got Soccer is offering a special package in coordination with the weekend’s festivities. For $500, the package includes a private suite ticket to Sunday’s match, AC Milan home and away replica jerseys, an AC Milan scarf and jacket, parking for the game and an on-field pass for Saturday’s training session.

O’Connor said about 15 such packages were still available as of Wednesday night.

We Got Soccer is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-974-4625 or log on to the store's web site.

Mark Goodman can be reached at newsdesk@soccernewengland.com.