Sunderland looked like a decent team today. In the U.S, the game was on network TV (that is: not cable, not satellite) and during a prime time on Saturday morning. To those who say, local fans were only interested when the local players were on the team; that is not quite true. On a somewhat related note: I was at a conference in Washington some years ago, and saw a fan wearing a Sunderland shirt, so I greeted him. He responded but I could tell that it was a little awkward for both of us. In any case when one starts to follow a team (as I did because of the locals), then other things come into focus. The team really did not play well this year. Sunderland has had some fantastic escapes in the last few years; and it is those that bring on the smile.