In the same week that swimmer Joseph Schooling was honoured after getting the better of U.S. icon Michael Phelps in Rio to send Singapore into a frenzy, two Americans looked to make their mark on the football of the island nation.
With ex-Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant injured, Tampines Rovers drafted 18-year-old Californian Diego Silvas into their squad for a midweek S.League match, as his father Thomas stepped up his community efforts with the Southeast Asian giants.
Thomas, 51, is an accomplished coach and former United States striker -- he earned two senior caps -- who arrived with his son in Singapore in June.
He has been commissioned by Tampines' chairman Krishna Ramachandra to help make football more accessible to underprivileged youth.
He agrees that the Schooling gold medal -- Singapore's first in Olympic history -- has the potential to inspire disadvantaged youngsters in all sports, including football.