Something has always flummoxed me in sports. It's the propensity of lesser informed fans and a few media blowhards to stand on high, reeking of tough-minded and righteous superiority, and label some professional athletes as "soft."

This is especially bothersome in American football.

Sunderland 2-0 Arsenal

In a straw text poll before the match last night, I asked 7 people whether it was going to be W, D or L at the Stadium of Light. Four went for a win, two for a draw (one of which was me) and two for a defeat. It just goes to show that optimism often triumphs over despair, despite most of the evidence stacking up against it.

OK, everyone, Brad Davis showed up for us and now it's time for us to show up for him. Vote for his goal to be MLS' Goal of the Week. The video at this link here showcases the five contenders this week, and I think the true winner is clearly an Orange one. As I'm writing this, Lee Nguyen's is winning?

It's looking more and more like something special is going on with the U-23 US Men's National Team. Led by a prodigy-turned-elder-statesman, a team of prodigious talent is turning in to the most exciting group of players to come through the American system in a long time.

Fast start

It took eleven minutes of poking and prodding for the US to take the lead over Cuba on Nashville's LP Field.

Mirror: The Adeyemi incident is what you get when you summon the full forces of tribalism

There is no pleasure in saying this, but Liverpool have begun to reap a little of what they have sown. New Liverpool racism row: Fan's abuse has Oldham player in tears When you defend racist language, when you enter into angry denial and summon the full forces of tribalism, this is what you get.

It's hot! Bloody hot.
Australian summer can be a bit like that, can't it, even this year. My friends are gathered, some want to sit close, others are over dressed, most in green.
Chocolate cake! On a summers day? I went for hot chips!
Move over, it's getting hotter, but there's no space, not in the Canberra stands.

Mexico's World Cup qualifying victory clearly shook the US Women's National Team to their core. On Tuesday night, the US settled the score, reminding Mexico, and the world, that there is still an enormous gap in class between the two sides. Were at not for some shoddy finishing and a whole lot of five-alarm defending, the score line could easily have been doubled as the US controlled the match from the opening whistle and were rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes.

One of the least edifying spectacles in modern football is that of managers attempting to deflect criticism for a defeat by making spurious attacks on the opponents who beat them.

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of this phenomenon, having watched our own otherwise distinguished coach, a certain Mr Arsène Wenger, pull the very same trick on numerous occasions.

One of the least edifying spectacles in modern football is that of managers attempting to deflect criticism for a defeat by making spurious attacks on the opponents who beat them.

I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of this phenomenon, having watched our own otherwise distinguished coach, a certain Mr Arsène Wenger, pull the very same trick on numerous occasions.

My friends and I often indulge in extended debate on the club vs. country issue and how so far, it's ‘OK' to support England. We eschew the jingoism, the hooliganism, the sheer repugnance of many of those called on to sport the jersey, the overreaction to defeat and over-anticipation of victory, the arrogance and the aggression, but still wish for a team we can support.

(P.S: If you access this site via "come.to/matchpix", please click the "Facebook" icon after you click "HERE" when you want to view the album as that will redirect you to the album, thank you)

• S.League Charity Shield 2012

Kenji Arai (L) and Alek Duric (R) tussling for possesssionA much cohesive Tampines Rovers benefit from some shrewd recruiting had shown plenty of depth in squad when they left Aleksandar Duri, Ismadi Mukhtar, etc.

Gerrard has hailed Jay Spearing as one of Liverpool's best players this season and backed the midfielder to enjoy a long and successful future at the club.

The Reds captain backed the midfielder to follow his footsteps and become an essential part of the Anfield setup. Spearing received praise for his performance in the 3-0 Merseyside derby win this week and Gerrard believes the 23-year-old has improved hugely this season.

I've been calling for a Singapore team to play in Malaysia for several years. Singapore is safe, dull and nice. Aggression in Singapore is whining on internet forums or pushing past people to get on the MRT or to the head of a queue at a sale. Not the best environment for building a football team that can develop beyond their own borders.

Chelski 0 – 0 Spurs

Awfully puzzling game this one, as you no doubt recall. The first half of dedicated non-aggression was followed by Chelski probably edging things, only for our lot to carve out enough clear-cut chances to hand out a right thrashing. Alas, the conclusion to draw was that our lot to a man need to spend a full week engaged in nothing but shooting practice (or they could just stick Defoe on the pitch, and watch as some of those chances miraculously cause the net to bulge).

ARSENE Wenger should unleash Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to thrust Arsenal towards a Champions League spot in tomorrow night's clash with Wigan at the Emirates.

And Wenger must instil the same mental toughness in the Gunners that helped them to Premier League victories against Manchester City and Wolves to avoid an upset against Roberto Martinez's side.

By the skin of our teeth, we're walking away victorious. More, after the jump:

You already know

Just like that, we're heading to Spain with a 1-0 lead. Yeah, that actually happened. If you witnessed the match, you might have lost your mind. Barcelona did precisely what they came to accomplish- they knocked it about, made our defense chase the triangles, and altogether dominated the ball for extended stretches.

Sammy Ochoa was the most popular player interview after Seattle Sounders practice. The traditional target forward recorded a brace in the Reserve game against Chivas USA. He knows that the expectations from Sigi Schmid on the First Team or Ezra Hendrickson on the Reserves is to score goals. Sigi reminded the gathered media that players can and do work their way up from success in secondary competitions to meaningful minutes in MLS matches.

Spanish duo Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid will face off in the Europa League final slated for May 9th after defeating Sporting Lisbon and Valencia respectively in last night's semi finals.

Bilbao were 4-3 winners over Sporting while Atletico had a 5-2 aggregate win over Valencia.

After three years of wait, Real Madrid eventually bring the La Liga title back to the capital city after confirming their season effort at San Mames stadium this midweek by trashing Athletic Bilbao 3-0.

Although there's still two more games left to play, Madrid's victory kept their seven points gap with Barcelona intact, so considering there's only six more possible points that Barca could earn, Jose Mourinho's side are mathematically un-catchable by the Blaurgrana.

By AVI CREDITOR

D.C. United is on the cusp of earning what has turned into a rare distinction for the club this deep into the season in recent years. With a win over the New England Revolution Saturday night, D.C. will enter its three-week international break in first place in the Eastern Conference.

Chelsea isn't known as a team that parks the bus. The prevailing images of the London side all involve swagger and aggression, with high energy in midfield and Didier Drogba bullying defenders. Many of the players in this year's side set the Premiership scoring record in their last championship-winning season.