Turn-based Soccer? A Football: Tactics and Glory Dynasty

[thehitcat]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Bethlehem Steel (6-1-2) at Des Moines Menace (2-4-3, 5th)

We have to rest McCullough because he's too tired from missing so many shots last week. Forsythe and Yoder have no chance to make anything happen, yet Bethlehem gets a ridiculous goal from the corner of the field right before the half.

Final: Bethlehem 1, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Nesbitt, Edmonds, Pressley

Edmonds - lvl 25
Yoder - lvl 17

Ahh the Olympic Kick! Normally they are the last kick of the game, just as you've finally salted away that tie against a more potent foe or an unlikely win with your reserves in due to fatigue and then some rando from the opposing team steps up to take the corner and BOOM straight into the net! That particular move has caused more and than any other in this game.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-4-4, 5th) at Grand Rapids FC (4-0-6, 4th)

Even in the matches we win, I feel like we're underperforming. McCullough misses an easy shot again, but finally breaks through with a goal before the half. And that's all we need as Grand Rapids' attack doesn't sniff my keeper.

Final: Des Moines 1, Grand Rapids 0
Goals:
Top Three: McCullough, Galloway, Hensley

*We have moved up to 4th, but Sonoma has an 8 pt lead for the last promotion slot with only 3 matches left. 1 win or 2 draws clinches it for them and we need to win all three.

[larrymcg421]

Calgary Foothills (2-1-8, 8th) at Des Moines Menace (3-4-4, 5th)

Calgary has 4 former Des Moines players on their team (Huggins, Dyson, Jennings, Kelley). McCullough gets a goal just two turns into the game. He misses hisnext two chances and is a bit winded, so I sit him so he can rest for next week. We are unable to break through in the 2nd half.

Final: Des Moines 1, Calgary 0
Goals: McCullough
Top Three: Huffman, McCullough, Edmonds

Arias - lvl 18
Guy - lvl 18

*Sonoma won, so we will be stuck in the amateur league for another season.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-4-4, 4th) at Michigan Bucks (4-0-8, 6th)

We have several good chances, but McCullough can't break through until late int he 2nd half. Thankfully, that's enough to take the victory, because our defensive line is superb. McCullough is delivering, but needs someone else to help him out.

Final: Des Moines 1, Michigan 0
Goals: McCullough
Top Three: Huffman, Nesbitt, McCullough

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (5-4-4, 4th) at Sonoma County Sol (8-0-5, 3rd)

And we close the season with a boring 0-0 draw. We only get 1 shot on goal the entire game, which is easily stopped. To make things worse, Hensley gets a red card in the 2nd half and will miss the first three matches next season.

Final: Des Moines 0, Sonoma 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Huffman, Nesbitt, McCullough

[larrymcg421]

Final Standings...

[MizzouRah]

Excellent read! Reminds me of New Star Soccer.

St. Louis FC - oh yeah I'm in!

[larrymcg421]

Offseason moves...

*Worst luck yet on the youth pull. I've upgraded my academy to the point where I can get a lvl 15-25 and this time got a 15. His name is Coronado, an Amateur Defender with 22 Defense.

*I sell Forsythe for $115,000. Worth way more than his value to the team.

*I sign Galloway, an Amateur Forward, for $9,120. He has 40 accuracy and will rotate with Yoder.

*I renew Yoder for 3 yrs, $9,500. He's about to learn Rainbow Feint and will become very valuable.

*I sign Kaufman, an amateur Goalkeeper for $890. Just in case Pressley gets hurt.

*I renew Galloway for 3 yrs, $69,500. My most expensive renewal, but he's only 26 and we need him badly.

*I renew Still for 3 yrs, $9,800.

*Current contract situation is very good. Nesbitt has 13 months left, Huffman has 19 months left, and everyone else has 2 years are more. I also have several guys who will be very profitable to sell soon.

*I pay $25,000 to look at the Global transfer list, but don't see anyone there worth getting.

*We have $133,763 remaining.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Excellent read! Reminds me of New Star Soccer.

St. Louis FC - oh yeah I'm in!

Thanks!

Yeah, they owned me. Hopefully, I can get back up and get some revenge.

[larrymcg421]

Here's my squad for the 2021-22 season...

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (0-0-0) at FC Tucson (0-0-0)

A mistake in the box earns them a penalty, which they convert for a 1-0 lead. Thankfully, McCullough doesn't get lazy after his contract and quickly scores two goals to put us on top. He converts the hat trick early in the 2nd half. Then I make a tactical blunder, which allows them to pull one back, but we hold on for the victory.

Final Score: Des Moines 3, FC Tucson 2
Goals: McCullough 3
Top Three: McCullough, Nesbitt, Yoder

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-0-0, 2nd) at Clarkstown SC Eagles (1-0-0, 1st)

A defensive struggle for the first half as we have trouble getting McCullough any shots. He finally breaks through late in the 2nd half when their line breaks formation attempting a counterattack. Our defense holds for the victory.

Final Score: Des Moines 1, Clarkstown 0
Goals: McCullough 1
Top Three: McCullough, Nesbitt, Huffman

[larrymcg421]

Albion SC Pros (1-1-0, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (2-0-0, 1st)

McCullough scores on the first set of turns in the game and does so again early in the first half. He's definitely earning his paycheck. I try to get him another hat trick, but he can't break through in the 2nd half. Still, our defense is dominant and only allows 2 shots on goal.

Final Score: Des Moines 2, Albion 0
Goals: McCullough 2
Top Three: McCullough, Hensley, Huffman

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-0-0, 1st) at Michigan Bucks (0-2-1, 5th)

It's more of the McCullough show. He gives us another early lead when he wins great position on and scores easily. Michigan desperately tries to equalize, but our midfield maintains possession and prevents any strong offensive threat. McCullough adds another goal right at the end of the first half and we coast to victory.

Final Score: Des Moines 2, Albion 0
Goals: McCullough 2
Top Three: McCullough, Nesbitt, Hensley

[larrymcg421]

Fresno Fuego (1-0-3, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (4-0-0, 1st)

McCullough is a bit winded, so I rest him for this match, giving Yoder and Galloway the start. And so we immediately revert back to the team of the past two seasons. Neither of them can finish and Fresno plays it pretty safe, rarely trying to score. We can't break through and have to settle for a draw.

Final Score: Des Moines 0, Fresno 0
Goals: McCullough 2
Top Three: McCullough, Nesbitt, Hensley

[larrymcg421]

Calgary Foothills FC (1-3-1, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (4-1-0, 1st)


McCullough gets a total of three chances in this match. The first two are terrible shots. Then midway through the 2nd half, he hits a great shot, but their keeper makes an amazing save. Calgary actually manages 6 shots, but none of them bother Pressley.

Final Score: Des Moines 0, Calgary 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Pressley, Huffman, Nesbitt

[larrymcg421]

Grand Rapids FC (0-2-4, 8th) at Des Moines Menace (4-2-0, 2nd)

After a scoreless first half where Grand Rapids controls possession, McCullough breaks through at the beginning of the first half with a terrific strike. On the next possession, Yoder gets his first chance to use the Rainbow Feint skill, but fails. Grand Rapids gets a strong counterattack right at the end of the game and Pressley has to make a great diving stop to seal the victory.

Final Score: Des Moines 1, Grand Rapids 0
Goals: McCullough
Top Three: Hensley, Edmonds, Nesbitt

Pressley - lvl 20

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup: Round of 32 - Leg 1
Tampa Bay Rowdies (2nd League) at Des Moines Menace

We get a terrible draw against a 2nd league team. As expected, they go up early on a long range shot. However, the defense does a great job of stopping any other shots. Then midway through the 2nd half, Yoder successfully pulls off the Rainbow Feint and equalizes. Hensley picks up a late red card, but we hold on for the draw.

Final Score: Des Moines 1, Tampa Bay 1
Goals: Yoder
Top Three: Nesbitt, Yoder, Hensley

Hensley - lvl 27
Yoder - lvl 18

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup: Round of 32 - Leg 2
Des Moines Menace at Tampa Bay Rowdies

Tampa Bay breaks through with a power shot early in the first half. McCullough gets several chances, but their keeper and defensive line are just too strong. He does have opne bad miss late in the game when he was one on one with the keeper. Tampa Bay scored off a free kick late to put the game away.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 2, Des Moines 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Yoder, Nesbitt, Arias

Edmonds - lvl 27
Guy - lvl 20
Arias - lvl 19
Rowan - lvl 19 and is now a Universal Midfielder

[larrymcg421]

Midseason standings...

[larrymcg421]

FC Tucson (4-1-2, 3rd) at Des Moines Menace (5-2-0, 1st)

McCullough is on fire, scoring two within the first 23 minutes. FC Tucson manages to take one back right at halftime. So far, they are the only Amateur League team to score on us this season. McCullough completes his hat trick to open the 2nd half. I try to get Whittington some playing time and utilize the Nutmeg skill, but he's unable to add to the lead. Tucson gets another shot on goal, but Pressley stops it.

Final: Des Moines 3, FC Tucson 1
Goals: McCullough 3
Top Three: Edmonds, McCullough, Still

Huffman - lvl 28
Beverly - lvl 25
Still - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Clarkstown SC (5-1-2, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (6-2-0, 1st)

It's a snowy field and we have trouble getting the ball into scoring position. Both McCullough and Galloway miss the two shots we get. The same is true for Clarkstown, except they fire a desperation shot at the end of the half that goes in because of a terrible roll by my keeper (1!). That is enough for them to carry the day.

Final: Clarkstown 1, Des Moines 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Lance, Nesbitt, Still

Nesbitt - lvl 23

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (6-2-1,1st) at Albion SC Pros (2-3-4, 6th)

McCullough is really slumping lately. He takes three shots on goal this time and misses all of them. Luckily, our defense and keeper have no trouble shutting down Albion's attack. Still frustrating that our offense has disappeared in the 2nd half of the season.

Final: Des Moines 0, Albion 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Edmonds, Nesbitt, Beverly

[larrymcg421]

Michigan Bucks (3-2-5, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (6-2-1, 2nd)

McCullough gets on the board early with a solid strike. Whittington gets a chance for his first goal, but gets stripped right in front of the keeper. Our defense holds them to only 1 shot in the entire game and we coast to victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Michigan 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Nesbitt, McCullough, Rowan

[larrymcg421]

On the last day of the transfer window, I sell Nesbitt for $132,000. That's a good price for him. He's been a valuable player, but at 32 years old it's time to get the best value for him and shore up my finances. This leaves me with $261, 245.

Rowan can fit in nicely into the lineup and if I ever need to rest one of my Midfielders, I can always play with an extra Forward.

[larrymcg421]

Fresno Fuego (3-3-5, 5th) at Des Moines Menace (7-3-1, 2nd)

McCullough gets on the board right away. Then I utilize Whittington's Nutmeg skill to win a corner. Hensley sends in a cross that McCullough heads home. Late in the first half, Whittington gets another chance and uses the skill to get right in front of the keeper. This time he beats him for his first ever goal. I put in Yoder and Galloway at the half, but they can't increase the lead, but Fresno can't do anything against Huffman, who owns their top Forward.

Final: Des Moines 3, Fresno 0
Goals: McCullough 2, Whittington 1
Top Three: Huffman, McCullough, Whittington

[larrymcg421]

Calgary Foothills FC (2-7-3, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (8-3-1, 1st)

McCullough scores in the first few minutes by dribbling by a defender and beating the keeper with a power shot. I try to get Whittington involved (for experience purposes), but he gets stripped twice after using his Nutmeg skill. Edmonds is pretty dominant on the defensive line, but Pressley does have to make a great save late in the game to preserve the victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Calgary 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Edmonds, McCullough, Rowan

Edmonds - lvl 28

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (9-3-1, 1st) at Grand Rapids FC (3-3-7, 6th)

A very frustrating match. McCullough misses 4 shots throughout the match, all of them with pretty good chances. The one rebound he gets doesn't create a corner. Grand Rapids gets a fluke goal from distance when my keeper rolled a 1. We get a chance to salvage a draw when Yoder gets the ball in good position, but his shot is blocked.

Final: Grand Rapids 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Hensley, Rowan, Yoder

Guy - lvl 21
Arias - lvl 21 and has learned the Attacking Midfielder role. This role gets some good bonuses, including a 50% decrease to opponent chance to intercept his passes, 50% decrease in range penalty for shooting on goal, and a False Kick ability that can pull a defender out of his defensive position.

[larrymcg421]

We promote, but that last loss cost us the league title...

[larrymcg421]

Offseason activities...

*I select Premiero as our sponsor. They will give me $420 for every match and $19,300 if I reach the semifinals of the cup.

*Our youth pull is a lvl 21 winger named Seals. He has 25 Acc, 25 Pass, but only 11 control. He does have the Nutmeg skill, which isn't quite as useful on the wing.

*I extend Whittington for 3 yrs, $1,529.

*I extend backup GK Kaufman for 1 yr, $368.

*I extend Huffman for 2 yrs, $22,584

*I sell Rowan for $40,900. He has the Rainbow Feint skill, which isn't very useful for a midfielder and his low control will be a hindrance in the Third League.

*I sign Epperson, a 27 yr old midfielder with 51 passing and 30 control, for $104,881.

*This leaves me with $174,998. I will need to sell some defenders soon, as 4 of them are in their 30's. I hold off on this decision until midseason.

*I will sell Yoder when he hits his next level, which will be soon.

[larrymcg421]

Our starting squad for the new season...

[larrymcg421]

Nashville SC (0-0-0) at Des Moines Menace (0-0-0)N

We manage to hold our own against a superior team. McCullough is denied on a couple good chances and Yoder misses another, but our defense does a solid job of keeping Nashville in check. Neither team can get much momentum until the last turn of the game, in which Pressley makes a diving save to preserve the draw.

Final: Des Moines 0, Nashville 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Huffman, Pressley, Epperson

McCullough - lvl 32
Pressley - lvl 21

[QuikSand]

...last thing I'm looking for is to get interested in something like this.

Ugh.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (0-1-0, 9th) at Chattanooga FC (0-0-1, 12th)

Our defense continues their dominant run, shutting down Nashville on all 4 of their shot attempts. McCullough gets nice position deep in the penalty area and, after a great pass from Hensley, converts the shot for a 1-0 lead just before halftime. In the 2nd half, I utilize my strong midfield to hold possession and prevent them from having enough turns to mount a serious attack. A great victory for us!

Final: Des Moines 1, Chattanooga 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Guy, Epperson, McCullough

Huffman - lvl 29
Still - lvl 22
Guy - lvl 22

[larrymcg421]

Wilmington (0-0-2, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (1-1-0, 6th)

We give away a penalty early on, but Pressley comes up with the stop! They eventually break through right before the half when their Winger Gillis sends a pass right into the box and they use Rainbow Feint to beat Pressley. Gillis continues to dominate us on the wings and gets the ball in to his forwards three more times for attacks. They convert one of them for a 2-0 lead. Our offense can't do much aside from low percentage shots by McCullough.

Final: Wilmington 2, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Epperson, Pressley, Edmonds

Beverly - lvl 26

Yoder reached his next specialization level and this makes him worth $30,000 more. Glad I waited. I sell him for $104,000.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-1-1, 8th) at K-W United FC (3-0-0, 1st)

About as boring as a match could be. There was only 1 shot on goal total in the first half. McCullough is winded and has to be replaced at halftime. Our defense and midfield do a pretty good job of keeping attacks out of our area and K-W only manages 2 shots on goal the entire game.

Final: Des Moines 0, K-W United 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Huffman, Epperson, Arias

[larrymcg421]

Reno 1868 FC (3-0-1, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (1-2-1, 7th)

Another snoozefest where our defense and midfield shine, but we can't get any attack going. It's a hot day, so people tire faster and I have to replace McCullough and Hensley at the half. Then Epperson gets injured and we're just trying to hold on for the draw. Galloway actually almost gets something going with Rainbow Feint and wins a corner, but Seeals hits a terrible corner pass that goes right out of bounds.

Final: Des Moines 0, Reno 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Huffman, Epperson, Whittington

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-2-1, 7th) at San Antonio FC (1-1-3, 10th)

Another scoreless first half where our injuries and stamina are really hurting us. Epperson is injured and Hensley has to leave at halftime. Luckily, our defense is still superb and McCullough opens the 2nd half with a beautiful goal from the right side of the penalty area. San Antonio only manages one shot on goal and we stop it easily.

Final: Des Moines 1, San Antonio 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Huffman, McCullough, Hensley

Edmonds - lvl 29.
Lantz - lvl 20.

*I go ahead and pay the $40,000 to see if there's anyone worthwhile on the global market. No go.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

...last thing I'm looking for is to get interested in something like this.

Ugh.

That's what I said...I am hooked...my wife already hates this game now..

[thehitcat]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Des Moines Menace (1-2-1, 7th) at San Antonio FC (1-1-3, 10th)
*I go ahead and pay the $40,000 to see if there's anyone worthwhile on the global market. No go.

Good call, you need some defenders otherwise having guys to sell isn't going to mean much if you can't replace them. Occasionally if there are a bunch of cheap guys on the standard transfer list I'll buy them just to bring new guys into the standard transfer list I might like better. This doesn't work with the global list as it doesn't refresh.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by thehitcat

Good call, you need some defenders otherwise having guys to sell isn't going to mean much if you can't replace them. Occasionally if there are a bunch of cheap guys on the standard transfer list I'll buy them just to bring new guys into the standard transfer list I might like better. This doesn't work with the global list as it doesn't refresh.

Yeah, I've been using the tactic of buying cheap guys to refresh the list. It's worked out very well for me so far, but I've hit a wall in these past two transfer markets where everyone is high priced. I'm hoping the midseason market is good, because I need to sell Huffman and/or Edmonds soon. I did use a glory upgrade on the transfer list to increase it to 9.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-3-1, 7th) at Tulsa Roughnecks (3-0-3, 8th)

Midway through the 1st half, Tulsa earns a corner kick. Their Forward wins the positioning battle and gets the ball right in front of Pressley and is able to put it through. We're not built to be a comeback team at the moment, but we find happiness at the beginning of the 2nd half. I send my young Winger Seal down the to the corner, where he sends a cross pass that McCullough heads home for the equalizer! We can't find another goal, but our defense holds for the draw.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tulsa 1
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Still, Epperson, McCullough

Huffman - lvl 30.
Epperson - lvl 30
Guy - lvl 23
Still - lvl 23

[larrymcg421]

FC Tucson (0-1-6, 12th) at Des Moines Menace (2-4-1, 7th)

This is a team we should beat. They have a goalkeeper with a 9 in defense. Still, McCullough misses both of his shots against this guy and a low rated defender. plays it safe and we have trouble getting the ball in scoring range. One last desperation pass doesn't get to McCullough and time expires.

Final: Des Moines 0, Tucson 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Edmonds, Beverly, Hensley

Whittington - Lvl 19.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-5-1, 7th) at FC Montreal (7-1-0, 1st)

And here's a team we shouldn't beat, or even have much of a chance hanging with. Such is our season. We dominate defensively and hold them to only 1 shot the entire game. That 1 shot came on the last turn of the game with the player right in front of Pressley. Pressley makes a heroic stop to preserve the draw. We missed our one good chance offensively.

Final: Des Moines 0, Montreal 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Epperson, Hensley, Edmonds

[larrymcg421]

Clarkstown SC Eagles (2-1-6, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (2-6-1, 7th)

A huge game as it is against the team currently in the highest relegation spot. This could help give us some distance. Unfortunately, they score a long range goal from the right side due to a rare poor effort from Pressley. Never easy for us to come from behind, but our counterattacks are on point in the 2nd half. Two long range passes give McCullough the ball in a great spot and he converts. Then on the next set of turns, we get the ball to Galloway and he nails a difficult shot to put us ahead! Clarkstown is unable to mount a serious attack the rest fo the match and we come away with a big victory.

Final: Des Moines 2, Clarkstown 1
Goal: McCullough, Galloway
Top Three: Epperson, Huffman, McCullough

Edmonds - lvl 30
Beverly - lvl 27
Pressley - lvl 22 (and only 19!)

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-6-1, 5th) at Phoenix Rising FC (6-0-4, 4th)

Phoenix Rising owned us last time we were in the Third League. This time, our defense is too good for them and they only manage two shots on goal. We have two chances with a cross and then a corner, but can't put it through on either try. Pretty boring football, but can't be too upset with how we've performed through the first half of the season.

Final: Des Moines 0, Phoenix 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Edmonds, Arias, Pressley

Guy - lvl 24

[Radii]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Yeah, I've been using the tactic of buying cheap guys to refresh the list.

I was about to ask about that. If house rules are ever needed, it seems like this might be the first one. I've been doing it too.


Do you play/watch/sim your games? I promoted to league 3 immediately, and I figured I'd probably drop back down while I built my team and dealt with all my old players, so I started simming all my games, and now I'm magically mid-table halfway through the season, and I wonder if simming is generally a bad idea.

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 1

Des Moines Menace at Colorado Springs

Once again, we draw a 2nd League team and this is a stacked squad. They have a keeper with 88 defense and every defender has 70 or higher defense. How do we score a goal against this team? Well, McCullough now has the Head Play skill and as a CF he gets an extra level of it. So I send Epperson down the right side of the field and he nails a cross that McCullough easily heads in! Colorado gets several chances, but our defense shuts the down each time and we steal a victory on the road!

Final: Des Moines 1, Colorado 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Beverly, Hensley, McCullough

Huffman 31
Hensley 28
Galloway 24
Still 24
Arias 22

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Radii

I was about to ask about that. If house rules are ever needed, it seems like this might be the first one. I've been doing it too.

Good point. There is a penalty to it and I don't think it's ever made me overpowered, but it is somewhat of an exploit to avoid purchasing a longer transfer list.

Do you play/watch/sim your games? I promoted to league 3 immediately, and I figured I'd probably drop back down while I built my team and dealt with all my old players, so I started simming all my games, and now I'm magically mid-table halfway through the season, and I wonder if simming is generally a bad idea.

In this dynasty I play every game. In other playthroughs, I sometimes sim unwinnable games like cup matches two levels above.

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 2

Colorado Springs at Des Moines Menace

With a 1-0 aggregate lead, we just have to hold them to a draw to advance. Our defense does a great job shutting them down offensively. Right before the 1st half ends, Hensley sends a beautiful pass into the box for Galloway. Galloway uses Rainbow Feint to beat the keeper and give us the lead! Colorado keeps putting the pressure on, but they can't break through our defensive wall and we advance!

Final: Des Moines 1, Colorado 0
Goal: Galloway
Top Three: Galloway, Beverly, Huffman

Edmonds - lvl 31
Beverly - lvl 28
Guy - lvl 25