April 2020
FM20 - 2019 MLS Awards
April 03, 2020 Filed in: Video Games
Here were the winners of Major League Soccer's 2019 end of season awards.
Most Valuable Player: Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Defender of the Year: Marcos López (San Jose)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Coach of the Year: Frank de Boer (Atlanta United)
Rookie of the Year: Aboubacar Keita (Columbus)
Golden Boot: Chicharito (LA Galaxy)
Fair Play: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)
Here were the players named as MLB Best XI:
Goalkeeper
Most Valuable Player: Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Defender of the Year: Marcos López (San Jose)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Sean Johnson (NYCFC)
Coach of the Year: Frank de Boer (Atlanta United)
Rookie of the Year: Aboubacar Keita (Columbus)
Golden Boot: Chicharito (LA Galaxy)
Fair Play: Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)
Here were the players named as MLB Best XI:
Goalkeeper
- Brad Guzan (Atlanta United)
- Walker Zimmerman (LAFC)
- Franco Escobar (Atlanta United)
- Fernando Meza (Atlanta United)
- Carlos Vela (LAFC)
- Keaton Parks (NYFC)
- Matheus Rossetto (Atlanta United)
- Sebastián Blanco (Portland)
- Maxi Moralez (NYCFC)
- Josef Martínez (Atlanta United)
- Gustavo Martínez (Atlanta United)
FM20 - 2019 MLS Cup
April 03, 2020 Filed in: Video Games
The championship matchup was set for the 2019 MLS Cup. Atlanta United hosted Los Angeles Football Club. Atlanta United dominated possession early. It appeared that it was only a matter of time before they scored first. However, the game was still scoreless at halftime. In the second half, LAFC was much more active. They moved the ball around effectively but just couldn't capitalize on any opportunities. Atlanta United finally scored the game's only goal in the 75th minute. Gonzalo Martínez took a free kick from well outside the box. The ball was on target and found Fernando Meza, who promptly struck it into goal with his right foot.
Final score: Atlanta United 1, LAFC 0
Atlanta United are the 2019 Major League Soccer Cup champions!
Final score: Atlanta United 1, LAFC 0
Atlanta United are the 2019 Major League Soccer Cup champions!
FM20 - 2019 MLS Playoffs
April 03, 2020 Filed in: Video Games
New York City FC was playing well heading into the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs. As the number 2 seed, NYCFC was matched up against the number 7 seed and local rivals, the New York Red Bulls. I felt good about this matchup. We successfully faced them twice this season in the Hudson River Derby, as its called. We beat them 2-0 on the road and then won the home rematch 3-1 at Yankee Stadium. This time, the result was similar. NYCFC looked sharp and won 2-0.
In the semi-final, NYCFC was up against Orlando City. They had advanced by beating Philadelphia 3-1 in the first round. Orlando City was playing at a level above what their record might indicate. In fact, they hadn't lost a match since July 22. I was a bit wary of this match but my concern was unwarranted. We outplayed them decisively and emerged victorious with a 3-0 shutout.
NYCFC headed to the MLS Eastern Conference Final against Atlanta United, the top seed. We had split the season series against them, losing 1-0 at home and then beating them 3-0 in Atlanta. This game was to be played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Frankly, I wasn't sure what to expect. They are a very complete team with two dangerous strikers, Josef Martínez and Gustavo Martínez. I felt confident early on when Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored a goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, the lead didn't last until halftime. In the 43rd minute, Josef Martínez scored to tie the game 1-1. The game winning goal came in the 69th minute. Atlanta United had a corner kick, which Gustavo Martínez delivered brilliantly. Fernando Meza connected with a leaping header that found the back of the net. Final score: Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 1.
The Western Conference playoffs had the following outcomes:
First Round
San Jose defeated Seattle 3-1
FC Dallas defeated LA Galaxy 0-0 (won on penalty kicks)
LAFC defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1
Semi-finals
Houston defeated San Jose 1-1 (won on penalty kicks)
LAFC defeated FC Dallas 3-0
Final
LAFC defeated Houston 3-1
In the semi-final, NYCFC was up against Orlando City. They had advanced by beating Philadelphia 3-1 in the first round. Orlando City was playing at a level above what their record might indicate. In fact, they hadn't lost a match since July 22. I was a bit wary of this match but my concern was unwarranted. We outplayed them decisively and emerged victorious with a 3-0 shutout.
NYCFC headed to the MLS Eastern Conference Final against Atlanta United, the top seed. We had split the season series against them, losing 1-0 at home and then beating them 3-0 in Atlanta. This game was to be played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Frankly, I wasn't sure what to expect. They are a very complete team with two dangerous strikers, Josef Martínez and Gustavo Martínez. I felt confident early on when Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored a goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, the lead didn't last until halftime. In the 43rd minute, Josef Martínez scored to tie the game 1-1. The game winning goal came in the 69th minute. Atlanta United had a corner kick, which Gustavo Martínez delivered brilliantly. Fernando Meza connected with a leaping header that found the back of the net. Final score: Atlanta United 2, NYCFC 1.
The Western Conference playoffs had the following outcomes:
First Round
San Jose defeated Seattle 3-1
FC Dallas defeated LA Galaxy 0-0 (won on penalty kicks)
LAFC defeated Real Salt Lake 3-1
Semi-finals
Houston defeated San Jose 1-1 (won on penalty kicks)
LAFC defeated FC Dallas 3-0
Final
LAFC defeated Houston 3-1
FM20 - 2019 Major League Soccer Season
April 03, 2020 Filed in: Video Games
New York City Football Club (NYCFC) began its 2019 MLS preseason on January 12. We played 7 "friendly" matches and posted a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. As I was still learning the ropes, I felt pretty good about my club. The regular season started on March 2 with an away match against D.C. United. It resulted in a 1-1 draw. We were a mediocre team until mid-April when NYCFC got hot. Starting with a 3-0 victory over Philadelphia on April 20, we went on an incredible 13 game unbeaten streak (11 wins and 2 draws). NYCFC was solidly in second place in the Eastern Conference at that point, trailing only the nearly unbeatable Atlanta United Football Club. Then, things went off the rails in July. A 2-0 loss to FC Dallas in the US Cup Quarter Final was part of a losing streak of 5 out of 6 matches. Thankfully, things improved in August and NYCFC had climbed back into second place. We finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams with a 10 game unbeaten streak (6 wins and 4 draws). We secured a playoff spot by finishing 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 3rd overall (MLS Supporters' Shield).
Football Manager 2020
April 03, 2020 Filed in: Video Games
I've played a lot of sports sims throughout the years. Although baseball has dominated my sports gaming, I've played entire seasons of football and basketball as well using various games. I have always wanted to try a soccer sim, however, particularly in World Cup years when my soccer fever was at its highest. The one game in particular I have always wanted to try was Football Manager. Recently, I finally got the chance to run a soccer team with Football Manager 2020. It was overwhelming at first. FM20 simulates an entire world of global soccer. This wasn't as straightforward as most sports sims focused around a single professional sports league, such as MLB, NFL, or NBA. I decided to focus on MLS, Major League Soccer, here in the United States. Once I chose the league, I chose my team—New York City Football Club (NYCFC)—and assumed the role as its head coach for the 2019 season.
FM20 is incredibly detailed. Although I am used to a high level of complexity from Out of the Park Baseball, FM20 was even more daunting to me. This was largely due to my unfamiliarity with MLS rules (rosters, loans, transfers, coaches, etc.) and game tactics (style, formations, positions, etc.). Over the course of the season, my knowledge improved but I am far from a soccer expert at this point. Because this was my first season, I avoided the urge to make any trades. Even when it could have been beneficial, I preferred to become familiar with NYCFC's 2019 squad.
I will post additional articles about the season's outcome. However, I have to say that this was the most fun I've had with a computer game in many months. Because it was fresh and new to me, I enjoyed it as much as my NALB seasons. Although I enjoy computer RPGs, strategy games, and even an occasional shooter, I really could play sports sims year-round. If I had a solid football sim and basketball sim, I could probably do just that.
FM20 is incredibly detailed. Although I am used to a high level of complexity from Out of the Park Baseball, FM20 was even more daunting to me. This was largely due to my unfamiliarity with MLS rules (rosters, loans, transfers, coaches, etc.) and game tactics (style, formations, positions, etc.). Over the course of the season, my knowledge improved but I am far from a soccer expert at this point. Because this was my first season, I avoided the urge to make any trades. Even when it could have been beneficial, I preferred to become familiar with NYCFC's 2019 squad.
I will post additional articles about the season's outcome. However, I have to say that this was the most fun I've had with a computer game in many months. Because it was fresh and new to me, I enjoyed it as much as my NALB seasons. Although I enjoy computer RPGs, strategy games, and even an occasional shooter, I really could play sports sims year-round. If I had a solid football sim and basketball sim, I could probably do just that.