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| Journey in America | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 1 2012, 02:56 AM (1,459 Views) | |
| Scorekeeper | Feb 1 2012, 02:56 AM Post #1 |
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So using Uncle Sam's fantastic database, I've decided to start in the USA leagues unemployed, get hired, then try to make my way to the top, win lose or tie. No editing (not like I have a choice-stupid FMRTE for mac only supports ver10.6 and up <_< ), no fixing results, just real, hard managing. The Railhawks start the game without a manager, so a day after I apply they send me a job offer, which I promptly take. Carolina have a fairly decent squad to start, not that bad, but not that great either. They were the runner up last year in the NASL so hopefully I can come in and make them champions, or at the least push for a finals appearance. Tactically, the favored positions don't give me enough AMC/DMCs to play a diamond, nor give talent to the ML/R positions. My strongest players are the wingers and strikers so I need to favor that. Right my main tactic is a 4-2-4 with two center mids and two wingers. I'd like to play wingbacks to supplement the wingers pushing forward, but we'll see how it plays out. I might need the defense more than the offense from my fullbacks. The second tactic is a 4-4-2, but that might change. Just training it so at least they know a basic formation. Surprisingly, after a week or so this team is very proficient in my tactics. Staff Fires- Jennifer Jones, physio Nenad Zigante, GK coach Brian Wellmann, scout Staff Hires- Lee Dicks, fitness coach Colin Clark, GK coach Joe Jones, coach Shawn Gordon, scout Caleb Norkus, contract change for youth coach to coach Players out- A bunch of regens that are pretty poor so I just eat the money and dump them. This gets my wage budget down so I can sign a few (literally) key players. Sean O'Connor, GK- with the acquisition of Joaquin, I don't need 4 keepers, so O'Connor, the weakest, had to go. Players in- Joaquin Thompson, GK Sergio Gomez, ST, AMC Jaime Moreno, DR Kevin Sakuda, DC Preseason so far- DCU Academy 0-4 Carolina- dominant win over inferior opposition Carolina 1-0 Vancouver- Good win over a lower tier MLS side Wilmington 1-1 Carolina- unlucky to give up a late equalizer Carolina 1-1 San Jose- Good draw against another lower MLS side Carolina 0-0 Salt Lake- hard earned draw against a good Salt Lake side Carolina 1-2 Philadelphia- Le Toux wins it with a brace Injuries- Jonathan Steele- injured early in the Vancouver match, hurts that one of my best players is out for 4 to 5 weeks. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 01:03 PM Post #2 |
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Ok, so Uncle Sam's brilliant database doesn't work right on all the new FM patch updates, thus I'm starting over. I'm testing out the newest patch 12.2.2 on my Mac and crossing my fingers everything will be fixed by the time I get to season 2. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 01:32 PM Post #3 |
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I apologize in advance for so many photos not being available. Midway through my 1st season, my ImageShack account was deleted. It was very annoying for me as I sure it is for you who are reading the whole story. The playoffs and 2nd season onward will have much better photos. I appreciate your patience. Thank you! After editing the database to give the USA better youth potential, better youth academies, and setting up an MLS academy league, I start the game with just the MLS loaded, large database of players. ![]() 2011-2014 ![]() Honors MLS Cup Winners 2011, 2013 ![]() US Cup 2007, 2011, 2012 ![]() North American Champions League 2012/13 ![]() Club World Championship 2013 ![]() Since New England is the only MLS team without a head coach I take charge, ignoring the Boston media that I'm too young and too inexperienced to take control of the Revs. First order of business is to fill out my coaching staff. Paul Braham-Fitness Coach Noel Blake-1st Team Coach Dario Sala-Scout Ivan Pierra-Physio Lloyd Barker-Coach Formation: This was a tricky decision. My staff suggested 4-4-1-1, 4-2-1-2-1, and 4-4-2. All 3 seemed okay, but not really conventional for the team and their respective positions. After tinkering with a 4-2-4 thru preseason, I found that a 4-3-3 looks and works better, so that's the way I'm going into the season. Transfers IN: Guti-experienced MC from Spain who wanted to play in America. Signed on a DP slot Jordan Graye-DR/L Bill Gaudette-Matt Reis is a good keeper, but his eccentricity is a bit high for me, so I brought in Bill to be a good 2nd keeper if I get dissatisfied with Reis Nana Attakora-decent CB to fill in depth Christian Gimenez-experienced ST. Most of my STs are young uns so with 3 STs in my formation I need some experience and quality to help the youngsters. Chris Islas-got him from Weighted Lottery. Seems a good prospect ST. Transfers OUT: Ryan Guy, Tim Murray, Alec Purdie, Kevin Garcia, Mike Roach-all let go on frees Sainey Nyassi-overrated winger, sold for 150k Kenny Mansally-overrated winger, sold for 80k Ryan Kinne-unneeded winger, got 2 draft picks out of him Fernando Cardenas-unneeded winger hated to give him up, seems like a really good prospect, got 1 pick for him Preseason results: Revs 2-0 Revs Reserves FC Dallas Jrs 0-0 Revs Puerto Rico Islanders 1-1 Revs Fire Academy 0-3 Revs The last game against the Fire Academy I switched to the 4-3-3 after 60 minutes and scored all the goals after that. Before that, lame draws resulted from the 4-2-4 formation. So, starting the season, the 1st team is: GK-Reis DR-Alston DL-Tierney RCD-Attakora LCD-Barnes DM-Joseph MC-Guti AMC-Feilhaber RST-Serka CST-Gimenez LST-Saer Sene |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 01:37 PM Post #4 |
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1st game of the season is against LA. Ouch. At least we get TV money out of the game... Went into the game with the 4-3-3, hoping to put up a decent fight. Feilhaber actually drew 1st blood after 40 mins with a great solo effort. Went into halftime feeling good, Gaudette making some great saves. 2nd half is where all the hard work went kaput. Defense broke down under the LA onslaught. Gave up 1st goal to Magee, a nice long range effort, then a brace to Donovan, 2 cooly slotted efforts into the back of the net. Talk about taking the wind out of my team. The Revs never really recovered, and ended up losing 3-1. I'm not too concerned about the result, seems fair that LA should win by 2 goals against a team like us. We have to look forward and keep building up team cohesiveness to overcome lesser competition. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 02:26 PM Post #5 |
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Okay so next up is Portland. The Timbers can be a tricky side but we are favored for being home, so hopefully the boys can get their 1st 3 points of the season. A few injuries before the game- Backup fullback Graye is out for 2 weeks on a chest injury Canadian centerback Attakora out for 3-4 weeks on a twisted knee Sene is back from injury so hopefully the big ST will be able to influence the game. Starting lineup- GK: Reis DR: Alston DL: Tierney CB: Barnes CB: Soares DM: Joseph CM: Guti AM: Feilhaber RST: Schilawski CST: Sene LST: Gimenez Subs- GK: Gaudette DL: Polak DMC: Simms ST: Islas DRC: Lozano ST: Zerka AMC: Rowe After starting the game, the Revs create a good buildup and Sene gets a goal after 6:05, assisted by Feilhaber on a perfect thru-ball. Going into halftime 1-nil up, overall pretty good performance. Gimenez and Soares though have ratings of 6.00 and 6.20 so I need them to get better ASAP or else they'll be subbed. After the break, the Revs do keep the pressure up and grab a second goal at 56:36, by Soares from a Tierney corner kick. Good to see that and maybe Soares will play more confidently now. A Palmer red card at 75:00 gives the Revs a man advantage, and Ralston makes it count with a solo goal, a blast into the top corner at 81:18. 3-nil is the final result. Much better game than last week against LA. Alston the MOTM and the feeling is good after getting a win at home. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 03:23 PM Post #6 |
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Next up is Salt Lake. 4th in the East so far, and once again favored due to playing at home. Lozano was injured late last game against Portland and is out for a week or so for a strained neck. This means my only 2 CBs are Soares and Barnes. Match preparation in my 4-3-3 formation is almost 100% so from here on out it'll be interesting to see how the boys due with this unconventional formation. Also, I can lower match training down and now maybe see some improved results on individual training. Still focusing on teamwork though, until the team really gels. Starting lineup- GK: Reis DR: Alston DL: Tierney CB: Soares CB: Barnes DM: Joseph CM: Guti AMC: Feilhaber RST: Islas CST: Gimenez LST: Sene Giving the youngster Islas a go tonight, maybe he can impress me. Switching Gimenez and Sene since Sene is a lefty and Gimenez can use either foot. Subs- GK: Gaudette AMC/ST: Fagundez AMC: Rowe ST: Schilawski DL: Polak DMC: Simms ST: Zerka After one half of play all is square. Both Real and the Revs have had good chances. The Revs defense looked more likely to be carved open the Salt Lake so that's one thing I need to watch for. It's also a bad sign when Fielhaber, my best player, has a sub 6 rating at the half. Finally, after 80 minutes, Gimenez scores a powerful header on a pinpoint cross from Tierney. Then after taking a defensive mentality, we score again after 87 minutes, Soares from another corner by Tierney. Full time is 2-0. Another home win, despite a pretty poor game before 80 minutes. But points are points and the Revs take them. The result puts us at 6 points and 3rd behind New York and Columbus, with a game in hand. We have a short rest though, with a midweek clash away at Philly. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 08:41 PM Post #7 |
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OK, so this upcoming midweek game is against Philly. This game is not for league, but a qualifier for the US Cup. Honestly, I'd like to do well in the cup, but if we lose, I'm not going to be hugely disappointed. Unfortunately, it looks like my ownership aims for a quarterfinal spot....sigh oh well, fingers crossed then! Here's the current form of Philly and the Revs: ![]() Philly hasn't won in their 1st 3 games, and to be fair, 2 of them were against tough LA and NY sides. I trust they'll be chomping at the bit to get a win against us, especially in front of their home fans. Starting lineups: ![]() Notes: Polak given the start tonight to rest Tierney (who's done very well in the past few games). Also giving Zerka his first start of the year. Still undecided on whether or not he'll fit into my system. He's not a natural striker, but rated 4 stars as a winger. If he doesn't impress me, I will have to sell him come the next transfer window. Really hoping Feilhaber, Guti, and Joseph will start to click as the central midfield. I've seen flashes from Feilhaber, but overall my midfield hasn't done anything special. For now, I will give it time to foster, but will keep an eye on it and may have to do something come mid season. Alston is at 92% so I know he'll be dog tired after this game. Unfortunately my back ups are injured so although I hate to see my players suffer from fatigue so early in the season, I have no other choice. Also this game has us facing former Rev Sainey Nyassi. Hopefully he'll stink just as bad for Philly as he did for us. Ok! Onto the game.... GOAL 4' PHIL 0-1 NE Feilhaber lays a beautiful pass to Gimenez who dribbles forward before striking a long shot into the upper corner of the net. No chance for a save from the Union keeper Johnson. GOAL 25' PHIL 1-1 NE All square now as a corner swung in from Brad Davis meets the head of Valdes into the far corner of the net. Should have been a save from Reis. In the 47', Joseph plays a long ball for Zerka to run onto into the penalty box. Williams shoves Zerka over inside the box and regains possession. Seems like a clear penalty but referee Prus waves away the protests of the New England players. I have a few choice words for Mr. Prus myself... HALFTIME PHIL 1-1 NE It's game on for the 2nd half, really anyone's game. My team is tired and I can see changes coming sooner rather than later. SUB 57' Tierney for Polak: young lad played well, but was tiring. Hopefully Tierney can create a fresh spark. Sene for Zerka: Zerka just never got going today. Again, hoping Sene will spark the offense. SUB 73' McCarthy for Joseph: Joseph played very well today, but was tired so a change was needed. END OF 90' Still all square 1-1. Extra time means tired players for Saturday's game against Houston. Now I want a win, because an ET loss means no reward for tired players. GOAL 96' PHIL 1-2 NE Another Tierney corner results in a Soares goal. Brilliant, I love it when set pieces work. HT in ET PHIL 1-2 NE FT in ET PHIL 1-2 NE Glad to get the win with a tired squad. Morale will be much better for it. Time to rest up before our league clash with Houston. The next round of the US Cup will have us face Chicago, one of our fierce rivals. I knew it! ![]() Oh well, onto the next game! |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 08:48 PM Post #8 |
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By the way, during the last transfer window, there were some pretty crazy transfers-
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| roversawh7 | Apr 10 2012, 08:48 PM Post #9 |
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How are Barnes's long throws working for you? I always trade for him if I am not managing New England and in FM12 I brought in Eric Lichaj if I need another throw-in specialist. On the smallest-sized pitches those things can be lethal. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 09:10 PM Post #10 |
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I've scored once in about 3 or 4 tries, so pretty darn good considering I NEVER have had guys score from long throws. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 09:17 PM Post #11 |
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Okay, so who's the monkey at the scheduling table?? Thanks...alot....
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 10:20 PM Post #12 |
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Good grief, 4 games in 7 days...I'll be grateful if we can live through this mess. First is Houston, league game #4 for us. The Dynamo have won 3 out of 4 so far this season, their loss coming from NY. Houston's home field gives them the slight advantage. Starting lineup- ![]() Tired players all around, but with 4 games in 7 days, who won't be? This is going be tricky Kickoff... HT 0-0 What a boring game. Plenty of chances, but zero goals. I guess I can't expect much from tired players, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Backups are getting valuable playing time in order for regulars to rest. I'd just wish they'd get me points like the regulars do. GOAL NEW ENGLAND 85' 0-1 Young Frenchman Saer Sene receives a pass from Tyler Polak inside the box and strikes a fierce curler into the net. Geez, are the only goals my guys score screamers? GOAL HOUSTON 94' 1-1 A pass from Nathan Sturgis finds Colin Rolfe wide open and onside in the box. Easy goal as Reis didn't come out quick enough to gather in the shot. Disappointing defense really. Claims abound for offsides, but replays show the ref made the right call. I am pissed because it came at 93:23 when 3' added time was awarded. Friggin' FM. So one point for the Revs as the get to look forward to 3 more games in less than a week. Here we go.... |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 10 2012, 10:35 PM Post #13 |
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Here's how the tables look after 5 games![]() ![]() Happy to be in the mid table so far. As predicted, LA and NY have sizable leads on their conferences already. Things seem more competitive in the West, with 2 points separating 3rd from 8th. I'm 3 points clear in 5th and another 3 points will catapult me up to 2nd. I'll need a win from the upcoming DC United game to make that happen. Overall, not bad so far. |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 11 2012, 12:11 AM Post #14 |
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OK, so next up is DC United, 2 days after our last draw with Houston. ![]() I guess the good news is DC United's form has been poor, and I'm playing at home. Still, DC United's next game is NY, so I'm sure they'll want points from us since they know that NY takes no prisoners. Here's today's lineup ![]() Again, tired bodies out there. A chance for some of the lads filling in to prove their worth (or not) Kickoff... GOAL 7' Soares OG 0-1 Ok this is just stupid. Throw in from Daniel Woolard goes to Josh Wolff, who in turn crosses it into the box. Then Soares, oblivious to all of this, has the ball bounce of his back and cannon into the goal. GOAL 16' Schilawski 1-1 Well worked goal to equalize after the stupidity of FM to create a dumb OG. Jordan Graye brings the ball down the right flank and passes to Schilawski, who on the edge of the box powers in a shot into the top corner past a flailing Bill Hamid. Game on. GOAL 42' Dudar 1-2 Superb freekick from Emiliano Dudar just outside the box. I have Gaudette in goal today, his first time back from giving up 3 to LA at the start of the season. He's not helping his cause right now... HT New England 1-2 DC Utd At the break, the team really isn't doing well, despite the goal by Schilawski. I give them an assertive team talk in hopes they can pull it together. Honestly though, if they fail to comeback, I can only sympathize, since they are being played out by the schedule. GOAL 74' Russell OG 2-2 Sweet justice. A long throw from Barnes causes confusion in the United defense and Robbie Russell inadvertently puts the ball into the back of his team's net. Can we get one more for the win? GOAL 86' Barnes 3-2 The comeback is complete! As Tierney swings in a corner goalkeeper Hamid comes out to punch, but Darrius Barnes misdirects the ball with his head into the goal on a bounce. The fans are going crazy! FT New England 3-2 DC Utd What a game! Great to see that the Revs equalized after a fluke OG, then score late in the game for the win. Set pieces won this game for us, which is fantastic when my players are too tired to score conventional goals right. Very happy to get the 3 points and proud of the boys to grab their deserved win. Individual performances- GOOD-Barnes (7.7), goal and assist, and Schilawski (7.2), goal, helped get the win BAD-Rowe (6.0) and Gaudette (6.5) didn't play well. Rowe understandably since he's a more natural AMC than an MC. Gaudette didn't do well for a GK and was lucky the offense was 3 goals better than the 2 goals he let in. So here's the table after that result- ![]() Looking ahead- Vancouver in 2 days time. Ugh... |
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| Scorekeeper | Apr 11 2012, 12:27 AM Post #15 |
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Oh and by the way, I sold Monsef Zerka for a 1st round draft pick and a 2 year DP slot. He was really a winger, not a striker, so I got what he was worth and sent him to a team who can use him better than I can.
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