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

[larrymcg421]

New England Revolution (1-2-6, 16th) at Des Moines Menace (1-5-3, 15th)

Against the worst team in the league, we manage 20% possession and 0 shots. Only one of their shots was any threat andPressley made a great save on it. I'm glad we're not losing, but we need to find a way to win to get out of the relegation zone.

Final: Des Moines 0, New England 0
Goal:
Top Three: Pressley, Guy, Arroyo

Dewitt - lvl 19

[larrymcg421]

National Cup: Qualification Round - Leg 2

NY Cosmos at Des Moines Menace

Frustrating match. We just needed a 0-0 tie to advance on away goals.The 1st half ends that way, but Betts misses a tackle and they fire a goal through the weakest part of my defense. All of our attempts at long passes get intercepted and Cannon never gets the chance to use Rainbow Feint.

Final: NY 1 (2), Des Moines 0 (1)
Goal:
Top Three: Pressley, Reese, Betts

Betts - lvl 45
Carrier - lvl 44
Pressley - lvl 41
Cannon - lvl 32

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-6-3, 15th) at Louisville City FC (6-0-4, 5th)

A bizarre match where I end up playing a GK and a rookie CD on the D-line due to injuries and fatigue. Louisville takes advantage with a goal in the 34th minute and they play the offside trap to deny us the chance to use Rainbow Feint, which is the only way we can score right now.

Final: Louisville 1, Des Moines 0
Goal:
Top Three: Betts, Arroyo, Dewitt

Stout - lvl 34

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-6-3, 15th) at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-1-6, 12th)

The big problem we're having with many of these First League teams is how high the control is for their Forwards. This means they can dodge tackle attempts by my defenders and either draw penalties or get one on one opportunities against the keeper. They take the lead right before the half just like this. We manage to equalize when backup midfielder Lynn gets in place for a Rainbow Feint. They almost take the lead again in the 70th minute, but Pressley denies a penalty. Unfortunately, they get a good chance off a direct free kick in the 90th minute and score the winner. At this point, I don't see how we can stay up.

Final: Vancouver 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Lynn
Top Three: Pressley, Lynn, Betts

Reese - lvl 59

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

This is excellent! Looks like you are making steady progress over the years. If it wasn't stupid-busy with other things I'd play this … hopefully I'll be able to get to it eventually.

Thanks! It's a pretty addictive game, so make sure you have some free time before you start it.

[larrymcg421]

FC Cincinnati (6-2-4, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (1-6-5, 15th)

They get behind us 24 minutes in and score on a Rainbow Feint. We get zero shots on goal the entire match despite controlling the midfield for 60%. And if things couldn't possibly be going worse for us, Shepard was hurt and will miss 2 months.

Final: Cincinnati 1, Des Moines 0
Goal:
Top Three: Arroyo, Betts, Shepard

Arroyo - lvl 40
Lynn - lvl 16

[larrymcg421]

Sacramento Republic (4-2-7, 13th) at Des Moines Menace (1-6-6, 15th)

At the 24th minute, we score our first goal in what seem like forever when Cannon gets close position and powers it in from an angle. We have to survive three corners and a final one on one attempt, but at last we have our 2nd victory of the season.

Final: Des Moines 1, Sacramento 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Pressley, Cannon, Arroyo

Betts - lvl 46
Carrier - lvl 45
Stump - lvl 30
Stout - lvl 33
Dewitt - lvl 20

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-6-6, 15th) at Rochester Rhinos (5-1-8, 8th)

They beat us twice on headers and both of them were fluke bad rolls by Pressley. We manage to take one back in the 62nd minute when Cannon hits a great shot that beats the defense. Then when we have our final chance to beat

Final: Rochester 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Reese, Cannon, Dewitt


Guy - lvl 59
Lynn - lvl 17

[larrymcg421]

Midseason standings...

[larrymcg421]

Winter Break activities...

*Another horrible youth pull. Another sweeper, which is a position I don't use. The attempt to retrain my other sweeper Stout isn't working out well. And it's only a lvl 23.

*The good news is that the break allowed both Hoffman and Shepard to heal.

*I extend Shepard for 3 yrs, $150,969.

*What I really need is another DF. There are none on the transfer list, so I buy the global list. I'll get it in 7 days, so will decide what to do after my next match.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-6-7, 16th) at San Jose Earthquakes (8-3-4, 3rd)

Hoffman's return doesn't go as well as I had hoped. We get beat early on a Rainbow Feint. We work hard to get the ball in good position and Hoffman has one chance in front of the keeper, but his dribble is denied.

Final: San Jose 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Shepard, Hoffman (??), Stout

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-6-8, 16th) at Sporting Kansas City (7-5-4, 6th)

One of the two wins we had this year,but not meant to be this time. They maneuver around my defensive line and beat Pressley with a one on one Cannon Shot. We get several good counterattack opportunities going, but can't finish them off.

Final: Sporting Kansas City 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Betts, Reese, Stump

Betts - lvl 47

[larrymcg421]

Charlotte Independence (5-2-10, 14th) at Des Moines Menace (2-6-9, 16th)

And this season is officially not fun anymore. Charlotte scores twice in the first 26 minutes on Rainbow Feints. We manage to take one back when Cannon nails a preciion shot from just outside the box. And we have a chance to equalize int he 87th minute, but Cannon's Rainbow Feint is denied. Not only that, they then counterattack and add on another Rainbow Feint of their own on the last turn of the game.

Final: Charlotte 3, Des Moines 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Arroyo, Shepard, Cannon

Carrier - lvl 46
Metzger - lvl 22

[larrymcg421]

Rio Grande Valley FC (12-3-3, 1st) at Des Moines Menace (2-6-10, 16th)

What in the world? After putting in our worst performance of a very bad season, we put together a winner against the best team in the league. Despite their overall talent advantage, I notice that their keeper has very low control, so I focus on winning corners so we can beat them with headers. Cannon does this 6 minutes in. Rio Grande immediately comes back with a Power Shot in the 14th minute. However, Cannon nails a Power Shot of his own when I was just hoping we could win another corner. This gave us a 2-1 halftime lead and I'm just hoping we can hold on. No worries as we win another corner and Cannon hits another header right by the keeper for his first career hat trick. What a performance by these guys.

Final: Des Moines 3, Rio Grande Valley 1
Goal: Cannon 3
Top Three: Cannon, Shepard, Arroyo

Cannon - lvl 33
Metzger - lvl 23

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-6-10, 16th) at Philadelphia Union (6-4-9, 10th)

It first looks like things are back to normal for us when their Wing Forward penetrates our defense and beats Pressley on a Rainbow Feint. But we keep putting pressure on. Right before the half, Cannon is denied on his own Rainbow Feint attempt. Things look lost until 88 minutes in when Shepard gets the ball to Hoffman right by the keeper. He uses his superb control to dribble right by the keeper for the equalizer.

Final: Des Moines 1, Philadelphia 1
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Shepard, Hoffman, Betts

Reese - lvl 60
Shepard - lvl 38
Metzger - lvl 24

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-7-10, 16th) at Atlanta United (4-6-10, 15th)

It's a rainy afternoon at Mercedes-Benz, so it's hard to get much offensive momentum going, but we do find a gap in their defense early, which allows Cannon to score on a Rainbow Feint. With 63% possession, we spend most of the match on their half of the pitch. We can't add to the lead, but no worries because they don't even get a single shot on goal. The bad news is we did lose Arroyo for 11 days.

Final: Des Moines 1, Atlanta 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Betts, Cannon, Shepard

Betts - lvl 48
Carrier - lvl 47
Pressley - lvl 42
Stump - lvl 31
Metzger - lvl 25

[larrymcg421]

NY Cosmos (10-4-7, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (4-7-10, 15th)

Without Arroyo, we really struggle in the midfield. We do a good job defensively until the 74th minute when they get a man behind the defense and beat us with a Cannon Shot. With a chance to get the ball back on a counterattack, Betts mistimes his tackle and his called for a foul. We defend the free kick, but it uses up the remaining time.

Final: NY 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Betts, Reese, Hoffman

Metzger - lvl 26

[larrymcg421]

Real Salt Lake (13-5-4, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (4-7-11, 15th)

Yet another injury as Hoffman goes down at the 44th minute due to a vicious slide tackle. This makes it hard for us to score as their keeper prevents the Rainbow Feint. However, we do manage to hold them scoreless as well and the possession is almost dead even in the midfield.

Final: Salt Lake 0, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Carrier, Betts, Pressley

Guy - lvl 60
Betts - lvl 49

*We have moved up to 14th place, but are still 4 pts away from avoiding relegation.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-8-11, 14th) at Charleston Battery (4-7-12, 14th)

Another match with zero shots on goal. They have lots of midfielders with intercept, which makes it really hard for us to get the ball down the field. They also have a DM who forces us to use lofted passes. We're able to hold them without a goal, but we're not gonna be able to draw our way out of relegation

Final: Charleston 0, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Metzger, Guy, Shepard

Carrier - lvl 48
Arroyo - lvl 41
Cannon - lvl 34
Metzger - lvl 27

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-9-11, 14th) at New England Revolution (6-8-10, 12th)

One of the biggest problems we have this season is we're so relianton Rainbow Feint that any time we face a Keeper that prevents it, we have very few options to score. Cannon gets a one on one opportunity, but the keeper blocks his power shot. New England only gets one opportunity of their own and we shut it down, but this is the type of match we need to win.

Final: New England 0, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Pressley, Betts, Arroyo

Metzger - lvl 28

The good news is we are still gaining ground on 13th place. We're now 2 pts out.

[larrymcg421]

Louisville City FC (12-6-7, 5th) Des Moines Menace (4-10-11, 14th)

Need to figure out how to stop these wing forwards. They have one named Prater who gets behind our defense twice because Betts misses his tackle attempts. The 1st time, he somehow beats Pressley with a 31 accuracy shot. The 2nd time, he earns a penalty and converts it. We have a couple chances to score, but Cannon is denied on a Rainbow Feint and Hoffman is stripped of the ball.

Final: Louisville City 2, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Shepard, Arroyo, Hoffman

[larrymcg421]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7-10-9, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (4-10-12, 14th)

Vancouver gets through on a Rainbow Feint at the 28 minute mark and we can't convert any of our opportunities. We can't even make our high percentage tackles to win the ball back and Vancouver has possession for almost the entire 2nd half.

Final: Vancouver 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Shepard, Guy, Arroyo

Betts - lvl 50

*These last two losses have taken us 6 pts out of the non-relegation zone with only three matches left.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-10-12, 14th) at FC Cincinnati (16-6-5, 3rd)

Just when it looked like we might be able to save our season and steal a big victory on the road, it gets snatched away. Cannon puts us up at the 26 minute mark on a Rainbow Feint. We hold this lead until the 80th minute when they hit a ridiculously low percentage lofted pass that gets behind our defense. They return the favor and beat us on a Rainbow Feint for the equalizer.

Final: Cincinnati 1, Des Moines 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Cannon, Shepard, Stump

Reese - lvl 61
Metzger - lvl 29

*We have to win our final two matches and hope for Charlotte and Atlanta to not win either of theirs.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-11-13, 15th) at Sacramento Republic (7-4-17, 14th)

And the death of our season comes with the most familiar score of the season. Once again, we can't get a shot on goal and even if we did, it likely wouldn't go in because their keeper prevents Rainbow Feint. Here's hoping we can quickly get back up.

Final: Des Moines 0, Sacramento 0
Goal:
Top Three: Pressley, Shepard, Reese

Carrier - lvl 49
Shepard - lvl 39
Stump - lvl 32
Dewitt - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Rochester Rhinos (11-3-15, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (4-12-13, 15th)

Again.

Final: Des Moines 0, Rochester 0
Goal:
Top Three: Arroyo, Shepard, Reese

Metzger - lvl 30

[larrymcg421]

Final Standings...



*Arroyo finished 7th with 42 tackles.

*Pressley finished 2nd with 20 saves.

*Goals...

Cannon - 11
Hoffman - 1
Lynn - 1

[larrymcg421]

Offseason...

*I pick Media 5 as sponsor. They'll pay me $18,600 for each home victory and $435,000 if I get promoted.

*Youth pull is a lvl 22 FW named Leavitt. I liek that he already has 30 control, but his 32 Accuracy will make it hard for me to find playing time for him so he can develop.

*I sell Reese for $2.5 million. He was a youth pull who had been with us for 6 years.

*I buy Barkley, a lvl 36 CD who is only 19 yrs old and already has 71 defense (compared the 45 that Reese had at the same age). He cost $457,262.

*I kept 30 yr old Betts because he still has 2 yrs on his contract and has a huge counterattack skill. Plus, he is about to have a lvl 5 pop once he gets his next specialization upgrade.

*DF Guy is another original youth pull with us and his contract has only 8 months left. He is worth $2.6 million and wants $1.8 million to renew. I'm not sure we need to renew him, but he's about to hit a lvl 3 skill. I will likely sell him at midseason when his value should be even higher.

*I renew Metzger for 3 yrs, $57,252. He will likely take Guy's place at midseason.

*Before I make my next decision, I buy the First League Global list to see if it's worth making a big splash. I will get that after my first game of the season.

*I now have $2.79 million. The next youth upgrade costs $6.4 million, so it'll be a while before we're ready for that.

[larrymcg421]

Our squad as we enter the new season. Could look very different soon.

[larrymcg421]

Tampa Bay Rowdies (0-0-0) at Des Moines Menace (0-0-0)

Looking very much like last season, except we have some really good chances. Cannon gets denied on a Rainbow Feint. Then we have in position three more times for one, but can't get the passes to him. Tampa Bay takes advantage of one of our counterattack attempts and finds a gap in our defense to use a Cannon Shot, which is successful. With time running out, we get the ball to Hoffman, who uses his control to run behind the defense. An attempted tackle earns a foul and Hoffman equalizes with no time left on the clock.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tampa Bay 1
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Hoffman, Guy, Shepard

Barkley - lvl 37

*I decide to stand pat for now. The only people I could've made a big splash with would cost too much in Glory.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (0-1-0, 7th) at Harrisburg City Islanders (1-0-0, 3rd)

We control possession in this one, but can't put the ball through. Everytime it seems like we have good positioning, our skill passes get intercepted. Harrisburg never has a chance to score against us, but I really need to figure out how to put an offense together.

Final: Des Moines 0, Harrisburg 0
Goal:
Top Three: Betts, Barkley, Arroyo

Guy - lvl 61

[larrymcg421]

Chattanooga FC (0-0-2, 13th) at Des Moines Menace (0-2-0, 10th)

Hoffman uses his new Break In ability (I retrained him as a RF) to get behind the defense and earn a penalty, which he converts. Cannon has a decent chance to add to the lead, but his shot is blocked. Pressley comes up huge in denying a Rainbow Feint to preserve the win.

Final: Des Moines 1, Chattanooga 0
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Betts, Hoffman, Pressley

Betts - lvl 51
Metzger - lvl 33

[larrymcg421]

Ottawa Fury (0-1-2, 13th) at Des Moines Menace (1-2-0, 6th)

44 minutes in, Hoffman breaks in and finds himself right next to the keeper. He uses his dribbling skill to beat him and give us the lead. We build the lead at the 88 minute mark when Cannon earns a penalty, which he converts. Our first 2 goal game in what seems like forever.

Final: Des Moines 2, Ottawa 0
Goal: Hoffman, Cannon
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Cannon

Carrier - lvl 50
Cannon - lvl 35

[larrymcg421]

North Carolina FC (2-1-1, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (2-2-0, 5th)

One of the dangers with Hoffman's control is that he often gets hurt due to bad tackles. After scoring on a dribble early on, a rough tackle sends him out of the game before halftime. Cannon has two chances to add to the lead, but can't convert them. They have a lvl 3 Rainbow Feint player who gets it right in front of Pressley on the last turn, but Pressley wins all three rolls. Whew.

Final: Des Moines 1, North Carolina 0
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Cannon

Barkley - lvl 38

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-2-0, 3rd) at Saint Louis FC (1-0-4, 13th)

Saint Louis has a terrible keeper (36 defense), so I rest Hoffman. Cannon takes advantage by firing two shots past the keeper in the first half. We spend the 2nd half trying to get him the hat trick, but Stump's long passes are intercepted twice.

Final: Des Moines 2, Saint Louis 0
Goal: Cannon 2
Top Three: Cannon, Arroyo, Guy

Betts - lvl 52
Pressley - lvl 43
Cannon - lvl 40 (hit his specialization bonus and now has 80 Accuracy!)
Metzger - lvl 34

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (4-2-0, 3rd) at San Francisco Deltas (5-0-1, 2nd)

I've learned how to deal with wing forwards. I put an extra player on the wing (MF Stump) who simply blocks their path. This forces San Fran to take lower percentage shots, all of which we're able to stop. Still, we get denied on a couple shots early in the game and it looks like we're headed to a scoreless draw. However, we're able to get the ball to Cannon on the final turn of the game and he powers the winning shot past the keeper.

Final: Des Moines 1, San Francisco 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Betts, Shepard, Cannon

Hoffman - lvl 51

[larrymcg421]

Colorado Springs (3-2-2, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (5-2-0, 2nd)

After a scoreless 1st half, Colorado manages to hit the rare normal shot that gets through our defense and past Pressley. Thankfully, Hoffman dribbles past the keeper just a few minutes later for the equalizer. We're unable to get the ball in position for the winner and actually have to survive a corner in the final minutes.

Final: Des Moines 1, Colorado 1
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Betts

[larrymcg421]

Sacramento Republic (6-1-1, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (5-3-0, 2nd)

Late in a pretty even match, we get a chance to take the lead when Cannon has the ball right in front of their keeper. His shot is easily denied. Then they launch a counterattack, utilizing two players with the Long Pass skill to get in good position, and a Rainbow Feint on the last turn of the game does us in.

Final: Sacramento 1, Des Moines 0
Goal:
Top Three: Shepard, Barkley, Guy

Carrier - lvl 51
Shepard - lvl 40
Barkley - lvl 39

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (5-3-1, 3rd) at Charleston Battery (5-1-3, 4th)

We bounce back on the road when Hoffman uses his break in ability to draw another penalty and converts it 74 minutes in. We have several chances to add to the lead, but Cannon is denied several times. Our midfield does a great job maintaining possession and preventing any Charleson attacks.

Final: Des Moines 1, Charleston 0
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Stump

Metzger - lvl 35

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (6-3-1, 3rd) at Orange County Blues (8-2-0, 4th)

10 minutes in, Cannon gets behind the defense and scores on a Rainbow Feint. We get several chances to add to this lead throughout, but both Hoffman and Cannon are denied. Orange County kept piling the pressure on to find the equalizer. They win a corner on the last turn of the game, but Betts intercepts the pass to secure the victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Orange County 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Betts, Shepard, Cannon

Guy - lvl 62
Betts - lvl 53

[larrymcg421]

San Antonio FC (1-2-8, 13th) at Des Moines Menace (7-3-1, 3rd)

It's a physical match in which two players get sent off for injury. San Antonio actually manages to catch us off guard and take the lead 22 minutes in on a Cannon Shot. We play a really aggressive match to get back in it and all seems lost until they commit a foul with time running out. Cannon uses Rainbow Feint to get in good position, then nails a precision shot to salvage a draw on the last turn of the match.

Final: Des Moines 1, San Antonio 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Cannon, Arroyo, Shepard

[larrymcg421]

Richmond Kickers (4-2-6, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (7-4-1, 3rd)

Hoffman earns yet another penalty and gives us a lead 4 minutes in. We're unable to build on this lead and he has to leave the game due to fatigue. We end up blowing the game without him as Richmond scores two 2nd half goals when their Forward is able to break our line and use his Cannon Shot.

Final: Richmond 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Hoffman
Top Three: Arroyo, Hoffman, Shepard

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 1

San Antonio FC at Des Moines Menace

Yet again, we are doomed by Cannon Shot. I have to figure out how to prevent that. We take the lead when Cannon gets position on the keeper and beats him with a power shot. We blow several chances to add to this lead and pay for it when they find a gap in our defense and take advantage.

Final: Des Moines 1, San Antonio 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Barkley, Metzger, Stump

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 2

Des Moines Menace at San Antonio FC

Hoffman earns three penalties in this one. He misses one, but nails the other two. Cannon adds two goals of his own on Rainbow Feints for our biggest offensive outing in a long time. San Antonio was hopelessly outmatched.

Final: Des Moines 4 (5), San Antonio 0 (1)
Goal: Hoffman 2, Cannon 2
Top Three: Hoffman, Cannon, Betts

Carrier - lvl 52

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 16 - Leg 1

Richmond Kickers at Des Moines Menace

Utilizing the same strategy, Hoffman earns a penalty 4 minutes in and converts it to give us the lead. Richmond has trouble completing passes and we control the match. In the 72nd minute, Hoffman does it again with another penalty. Cannon adds a 3rd goal with time running out.

Final: Des Moines 3, Richmond 0
Goal: Hoffman 2, Cannon
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Cannon

Betts - lvl 54
Arroyo - lvl 43
Metzger - lvl 37

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup - Round of 16 - Leg 2

Des Moines Menace at Richmond Kickers

We can't score in this one as both Cannon and Hoffman are denied repeatedly. But Richmond never comes close to scoring one goal, much less the three they needed to have a chance to advance. It's on to the quarterfinals for only the 2nd time in our history.

Final: Des Moines 0 (3), Richmond 0 (0)
Goal: Hoffman 2, Cannon
Top Three: Hoffman, Arroyo, Cannon

Barkley - lvl 41

[larrymcg421]

Winter break...

*Our youth pull is lvl 25 CM Hatton. He's 19 yrs old and has 43 passing. What I especially like is that he is able to learn the Slide Tackle skill, very useful for a midfielder. He probably will struggle to find the field until he learns that because we have lots of depth there.

*I renew Cannon for 3 yrs, $218,993. He's 23 yrs old and already has 80 accuracy.

*I renew Pressley for 3 yrs, $287,017. He's closing in on a decade of service with us.

*I renew Barkley for 3 yrs, $241,668. Still only 20 yrs old and already at lvl 41.

*I renew Carrier for 3 yrs, $733,230. Gotta keep that defense intact.

*I sell Stump for $245,000. He was a solid player for us, but I wanted to make way for...

*CM Burroughs, who I buy for $174,000. Burroughs has very poor attributes (27 passing, 4 control), but he has the lvl 2 Long Pass skill, which will be extremely useful for us.

*I am left with $741,820.

[larrymcg421]

Midseason standings...

[larrymcg421]

Tampa Bay Rowdies (6-3-4, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (7-4-2, 4th)

After a difficult 1st in which neither team can get a shot on goal due to a big midfield battle, we finally break through on a Rainbow Feint from Cannon. I block their Wing Forward from having a path to the penalty area and they're forced to take low percentage shots. Arroyo got hurt and will miss 16 days.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tampa Bay 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Arroyo, Shepard, Cannon

[larrymcg421]

Harrisburg City Islanders (4-3-7, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (8-4-2, 4th)

We try for an aerial strategy in this one, so I start my two young CF's in place of Cannon. This doesn't work, so we switch back to our normal formation and put Cannon back in. This pays off at the 58 minute mark when my new midfielder Burroughs gets a pass through the defense to Cannon, who beats the keeper for the winning goal.

Final: Des Moines 1, Harrisburg 0
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Burroughs, Hoffman, Carrier

Guy - lvl 63
Carrier - lvl 53
Edmondson - lvl 23

[larrymcg421]

Chattanooga FC (0-0-15, 14th) at Des Moines Menace (9-4-2, 3rd)

What a ridiculously absurd result this one was. Chattanooga hadn't earned a single point all season and yet they manage to score 3 goals against us, mostly on absurdly lucky dice rolls. A 2 of 11 beating a 1 out of 86, for example. Cannon heroically comes up with a hat trick to ensure we don't actually lose this one.

Final: Des Moines 3, Chattanooga 3
Goals: Cannon 3
Top Three: Cannon, Barkley, Shepard

Metzger - lvl 38
Dewitt - lvl 22