Hello everyone, and welcome back to another update of our Seattle Sounders story! When last we left off, we were doing reasonably well in the league, but giving up way, way too many goals for my taste. I’ve made a few small changes (swapped out one defender for his backup, and rotated the Centrebacks) to the squad, and have been focusing my match preparation efforts on defensive positioning. I also slightly tweaked my training schedules to be a bit more defensive in nature (For those wondering, I use Zero Sea’s training schedules). Did the changes payoff? Let’s take a look!
US Cup Qual. 1
I’m not entirely sure why, as an MLS team, that I need to go through three qualifying rounds in order to earn the right to face Division 2 and 3 teams, but regardless I couldn’t do anything about that. I was matched up with New England, another MLS team and one I was expected to easily best.
Excellent, we’ve made progress already! I can handle one goal allowed, and even though our board doesn’t care about the US Cup, I certainly do.
May 2010 Fixtures:
Next up we had a relatively full schedule for May, including crucial matches against Los Angeles and New York. Thierry Henry has been absolutely on fire for New York, and I was admittedly terrified of what he’d do to my defense. Los Angeles was without Donovan (sold to Man U) and David Beckham (injured), so I wasn’t quite as worried about them.
Whaaaaaat!? Four straight clean sheets and a draw against New York!? I’ll absolutely take those results, and this is what I was expecting to see after those initial friendly results. Columbus and San Jose were never going to be much of a challenge (San Jose was sitting bottom of the conference at the time), but LA and NY were great results. Los Angeles, as I’d mentioned, was very depleted and we were comfortable 2-0 winners in that match. New York dominated us for most of the match, but a heroic stand and some absolutely magical saves from Kasey Keller allowed us to steal a somewhat undeserved away draw.
The Colorado Double:
We had a short turnaround following our San Jose win, and would be facing the Colorado Rapids on the 25th (for the US Cup Second Qualifying Round) and the 29th (MLS Regular Season). Colorado are the reigning MLS Champions in real life, and the media was calling us an even draw for both games. They’re a very strong team, and have a potent and powerful striker in Conor Casey. Fortunately Mr. Casey was going to be absent for our first draw due to a mild injury, but we wouldn’t have any such luck in the second round.
Excellent! We actually went down 1-0 in the first game before a stunning second half allowed us to pull out the victory. I was very nervous about the second game (it’s hard to beat a team twice in short order), and we felt Conor Casey’s impact almost right away. Colorado controlled most of the second match, and we managed a lucky goal in the second half to steal away a win.
Early June Fixtures:
We were riding high heading into June. We were on an undefeated streak, morale was through the roof, and our defense had gelled very nicely (we hadn’t conceded a league goal since the end of April). We were opening the month with a tough US Cup Third Qualifying round fixture against D.C. United, followed by league matches against New England and D.C. United again. United were playing well, sitting third in the Eastern Conference, although they didn’t appear to have Charlie Davies on loan in the game, so that helped our cause a bit.
Whew! That US Cup game was a whole lot closer than it looked, and required some late game heroics from Freddy Montero to secure the win. We continued our mastery over New England, and managed a second win over D.C. United a few days later. I traded plaudits with Ben Olsen (United’s manager), and was very pleased with our squad’s performance over this stretch.
Late June Fixtures:
We had a much needed break after our last United game, and didn’t have to play again until a June 22nd date with Rochester (in the 3rd tier of the US Soccer Pyramid), and a potentially dangerous league game against Philadelphia on the 27th. We were expected to easily drop Rochester, so I was planning on giving some of my reserves some playing time.
Well…that didn’t go as planned. I have a pretty small roster, so at least half my starters were on the pitch for that Rochester game and we were just flat out owned. I’d planned on giving Freddy Montero a break, but had to bring him on at the half in hopes of salvaging something from the game. He responded magnificently and scored two quick goals to put us up 2-1 until we allowed an 85th minute equalizer as Rochester forced extra time. I was out of subs and had some exhausted players, and Rochester made us pay with a 115th minute goal to see us out of the US Cup. I’m pretty embarrassed by the result, but I guess it gives us the luxury of focusing on league play.
The match against Philadelphia was pure luck. The Union took an early 1-0 lead, and then gave us an own goal 10 minutes later to draw the match level again. Our defense managed to hold on for the rest of the match, and our offense was simply unable to generate anything meaningful. I was grateful to secure a draw in a game where Philadelphia scored all of the goals.
Table:
We’re doing well in the league, and our results have seen us to the top of the Western Conference:
Transfers:
Yep, we’ve had some transfer activity in the month of June (which is the MLS equivalent to the January transfer window), and I’d like to welcome our newcomers:
I was very excited to snatch up Peter Luccin on a free transfer. He’s a bit old, but my midfield has been the shakiest part of the squad (since the defense stabilized), and I’m hoping his experience will rub off on the likes of John Rooney.
About halfway through May, I realized I didn’t have a backup right back. Adrian is the answer to that problem, and he has pretty decent upside as well.
Best Player:
Are there any doubts to this one? Freddy Montero has far and away been our superstar (Thierry Henry has been even better for NY):
Full Disclosure:
In light of the unfortunate revelations regarding Alex, I’d like to make everything I use public. I use downloaded tactics, primarily ZeroSea’s 4-3-3 and a slight modification of Darren’s excellent 4-5-1. My training schedules, as I mentioned earlier, are also ZeroSea’s, though those are also somewhat modified due to my defensive mentality versus his offensive style. My skin is a hodgepodge of the NN Skin and Cro-Magnon skin, both found on FM-Base.
Finally, I do use FMRTE (a database editor) for two things: 1) To see a player’s CA/PA in a numerical format. I find the «stars» to be a bit vague, and I like to have a better idea of what a player may be capable of. 2) I sometimes use FMRTE for scouting purposes. I unintentionally turned on Player Attribute Masking (I don’t normally use it) for this save, and I’ll use FMRTE for manual scouting in order to save time. I do not, however, modify my player attributes or use any of the other «cheating» tools. If my use of FMRTE is frowned upon, I will gladly uninstall it and never touch the application again. I very much want to be viewed as an open and honest blogger.
Thank you all so much for your continued support, and as always, I’d love to hear your feedback!
LTN
25 мая, 2011 at 14:13
You are doing quite well, Montero is a great striker. Your capture of Luccin has been great, he will definetely become your leader in the middle park.
As for the tools that you have been using, I am not familiar with them so I cannot tell whether they are legimate or not. FMRTE is what? Because I also kinda hate the stars.
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 14:34
Thanks LTN. FMRTE is a database editor I found on FM-Base a few months ago. I tinkered with it some (I created a forum topic about tricking out a N. Irish squad and posted the rather hilarious results), but found the CA/PA numerical feature and have used it for that ever since.
Martin
25 мая, 2011 at 14:27
Great results there appart from the Rocester one…thats disgusted lol :P. Fredy Montero looks on amazing form for you, he’s currently at Anderlecht on my Club Brugge save and he’s playing decent for them also.
As for the FMRTE…why do you need to use it even to scout player? Doesn’t it take away some of the fun. I’ve heard of people using Scout Genie to research players but not FMRTE.
Anyways, hopefully you’ll bring some success to Seattle soon…still think you should have chosen the Swiss League :P
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 14:37
Thanks Martin, yeah…a little embarrassed by that Rochester loss and I have to take about 50% of the blame for underestimating them (the squad also didn’t show, so I can’t take all the fault). I was using FMRTE to make up for my mistakenly checking «Player Attribute Masking», which is a feature I don’t normally use. I’m not nearly as good as Johnny or Darren, so I like to be able to see all of the player stats without having to send a scout after them first.
I’ve never heard of Scout Genie though…is it any good?
Martin
25 мая, 2011 at 15:07
I dunno mate i’ve never used scout genie, I first heard about it on FM-Base, works like FMRTE just without the Real Time Editor bit.
Sibo
25 мая, 2011 at 15:02
Well done Jon, some good results until those Rochester and Philadelphia games! Also, I think everything you are doing is perfectly legitimate in my book, but others may disagree.
Still on target for the playoffs which is good, and I am sure you will be challenging for the title this season if you continue getting these results!
Well done and good luck! :D
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 15:42
Thanks Sibo, I’m pretty sure we’ll make the playoffs but beating New York should we match up with them will be an extremely tough ask. I’m glad you think everything I’m doing is legitimate, but I think I’m going to go ahead and uninstall FMRTE anyway…I don’t even want to give the appearance of wrongdoing, and that application will always generate suspicion.
Sibo
25 мая, 2011 at 16:43
OK, good on you mate, I wasn’t too familiar with FMRTE, but from your description it didn’t seem to bad.
Oh well, good luck toughing it out the harder way!
CsAtlantis
25 мая, 2011 at 15:30
I personally on attribute masking because I feel it is quite unrealistic to be able to see every players stats without sending a scout out to watch them, I don’t really bother too much about FMRTE, but I think just to see your own players is fine with me, I am also a bit frustrated at times with the stars, especially as i realize that my assistant sometimes changes his opinions and adds/reduces half a star on my players
Montero has age on his side, I think he’ll be an even better player in the years to come, good to see that your defending has improved though, that’s a much better record in your second season, and you are still scoring a good amount of games, good luck in the league
I guess the Rochester result was hard to avoid, seeing as the cup must have added some more fixture congestion considering the amount of qualifying rounds you had to go through :P
Oh yeah, are you in the North America continental competitions?
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 15:46
I completely agree that attribute masking makes the game much more realistic; I just haven’t felt comfortable enough in my ability as a manger to play the game with it on. It’s something I’d very much like to work up to, and likely will happen soon.
Montero is phenomenal, and we’d be a shadow of our current selves with out him (I’ve given some consideration to following him out the door should he leave). Defending is coming together nicely and starting to reflect what I’d originally hoped we’d be capable of. The Rochester result was…well, yeah…
I *should* be in a continental competition since Seattle won the 2009 US Cup, but I haven’t seen anything come across my inbox of fixtures list yet (unless Seattle was eliminated prior to my assuming the manager job).
Sears
25 мая, 2011 at 15:52
»Finally, I do use FMRTE (a database editor) for two things: 1) To see a player’s CA/PA in a numerical format. I find the “stars” to be a bit vague, and I like to have a better idea of what a player may be capable of.»
Am, isn’t that the whole point of FM? Take risks, challenge yourself? I’m not sure, but from what I’ve heard of FMRTE thus far is that it’s a tool people use to cheat with.
However, you’ve said you don’t modify your players attributes etc but personally I’d prefer if you played the game without using any tools that may assist you in any way. I may be wrong though… That’s just my opinion though as your technically not cheating. Good luck anyhow and keep up the good work, this story is very interesting. :-)
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 16:04
I’m tending to agree with you Sears. I never really thought anything of it until today, but in order to maintain my own integrity, as well as the integrity of this site, I’m going to uninstall the application and just deal with the silly stars. :-p I wanted everything to be out in the open though, and didn’t want there to be any doubts as to my results. I’d *much* rather lose 10 games in a row and be relegated (been there, done that) than cheat my way to league title.
Excessive
25 мая, 2011 at 15:53
Alright Stromo!
Thats is a storming two month update! Absolutely fantastic, and although you described your wins as being lucky, it’s the points that count at the end of the day. Bad loss against Rochester, but you can’t have it all your own way. Like you said, you can concentrate on keeping that cushion healthy at the top of the Western conference :)
Didn’t surprise me who the best player of the two months was, Montero has been fantastic and his game to goals ratio just proves that!
As for the disclaimer, I’m glad that your acting transparent in light of what’s been going on, which is always great to see. Obviously, I know you don’t use FMRTE for editing as in my view, your a pretty honest poster (even going back to the St Albans days ;)) but even for scouting purposes it seems a little iffy.
I can see what your getting at with the masking and the time saving, but to me it just isn’t natural and takes the fun out of finding a gem of a player. If I was honest, I’d say that you don’t need it and are fully capable of using the scouts to find players. Max them out if you have to, and get the very best possible in.
That’s my two cents on the matter anyway mate, and don’t worry.. I haven’t lost any respect for you as a writer or a person. Your one of my favourite, always have been :)
Keep it up mate and good luck!
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 16:14
Thanks Excessive, I really appreciate the support, it means a lot! It’s unfortunate about the Rochester loss, but hopefully they’ll be able to capitalize on their new found reputation as «giant killers». :-p Montero is without question the best player I’ve ever had the privilege of managing, and some of his goals are joyful to behold (I’ll try and upload a few).
I agree that even using FMRTE in an innocent capacity still gives the appearance of shadiness. I’ve already decided to go ahead and uninstall it and tough it out the hard/real way. You evidently have much more faith in my managerial skills than I do. =P
Poor St. Albans…never was able to save them from relegation (when I started posting in the forums, it was actually my second attempt at them). :(
Laxeyman
25 мая, 2011 at 16:28
Great results Stromson, and you’re in a great position in the league now. Montero is a fabulous player and with him in the side anything is possible.
I agree with the others that using FMRTE in anyway is a bit dodgy, so you’re doing the right thing by uninstalling it :)
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 18:18
Thanks Laxey, I appreciate the support! Hopefully we’ll be able to keep up the run, but I’m sensing a slump on our horizon.
ravenie
25 мая, 2011 at 17:56
Really good results there Jon, keep pushing on!
I’m a poet and I didn’t know it!
…I’ll get my coat.
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 18:19
Hahaha, leave your coat right where it is, I dig it. :)
Johnny Karp
25 мая, 2011 at 18:34
Well, being on the wrong end of an upset is always frustrating but that’s the beauty of football! :) You did very well in the league though, congratulations! Now about FMRTE, that is probably the exact same program that Alex used to mess with the player attributes. The good thing is that now I can spot any wrongdoings made with that program or other similar ones almost instantly so I can certify that you didn’t use it for such purposes. However, I don’t approve the use of such programs but it’s up to you if you want to use it in the future. All that I can say is that you really don’t need it, using your scouts properly is in my view a lot more useful than any such program. One piece of advice: you don’t have to be obsessed about the CA/PA stars, just take some time to judge the player attributes yourself now and again.
Stromson
25 мая, 2011 at 18:43
Thanks Johnny, it was frustrating but what can you do, like you said, it’s the beauty of the game! I agree with you on FMRTE, and I don’t plan to use it any further. I’d known you could cheat with it, but always viewed it as more of a supplement to cross check player stats or CA/PA. It’s simply not worth using it however, and I’ve already gone ahead and uninstalled it. :)
vikingmarius
25 мая, 2011 at 20:31
Your doing very well only bad bit was late june, but oh well you had to have adip of form at some point, but anyhow you are doing extremely well and Montero is abeast he has developed very well in some of my games
Darren Smith
25 мая, 2011 at 20:40
Hey Jon, that was a great run of form until the upset. Like you said thats football for you…but a great run all the same.
As for the FMRTE, its personal choice to say cheating, shady, dodgy…all the words used so far. I personally don’t mind what people do as long as their honest. The reader needs to know everything that may be seen as different to their game so they can judge your management in relation to theirs and know you have no advantages over them. You have done this and that’s all that matters. I personally find playing the game as it is most rewarding without any enhancements.
Ana Garcia
25 мая, 2011 at 23:10
Hi Jon,
Nice to see your honesty in the wake of what has happened. I agree with Darren its more rewarding to play the game without outside help even if I have no idea what it does. But as long as you are not changing anything in game I guess its your choice if you want to keep using it.
But I also dislike the star rating system!
But back on topic and you have a really good run! Luccin looks a very good player despite his age and he could have a good few seasons left and Montero as expected has been amazing!
As always good luck!! :)
vaibhavc
26 мая, 2011 at 13:25
Hey Jon
Great place in the league right now, but I am now confused. Do you keep playing group stage matches or do you play against the East side now?
Kevin
26 мая, 2011 at 17:59
Hi Jon
I haven’t heard of this FMRTE thing before but based on all that has happened in the last 24 hours you are taking the appropriate measured action which is a good thing. As for your team you are doing very well indeed and I’m familair with Rochester so that’s a tough loss but it happens in cup games. Keep going and I’m sure we will see you in the MLS Final later in the season.