[FM16] [USA] Navigating the Rapids: A Colorado Story.

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tongey

14 years ago

1 month ago

1,101

29 May 2016 17:12:16

Navigating the Rapids: A Colorado Story.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/team/1903.png

Pre Word

So I've been toying with the idea of a career in the MLS for a while now. I feel like its a country that I will one day call my home. Previously I have lived and worked in California before so I have always been drawn to the country. Being a massive Denver Broncos fan who are the current Super Bowl champions and also World Champions (as the Americans like to call it) in their version of OUR sport football. I've decided to base myself in the same state and city as the mighty Broncos and have taken control of the Colarado Rapids.

The Set Up:

I've just loaded up the one league that I will be basing myself in: the MLS of course and have a large database set up. I may decide to add leagues in if and when I feel like it but for now to make the game run quickly and smoothly; just the one league will do.

The Aim:

- Within the first 3 seasons: to win the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield.
- Within the first 5 seasons: win the American Champions League.
- To have a strong American contingent in the starting line up.
- To become the USA Under 23s manager then onto the USA managers jobs thereafter.
- To develop youth players and evolve the game in the MLS.

Next Update: Introducing the Manager. Club Information, and Introducing the Squad.

tongey

14 years ago

1 month ago

1,101

29 May 2016 17:53:27

Navigating the Rapids: A Colorado Story.

Club Information

The Colarado Rapids are one of the 10 teams that have competed in the MLS since it was first introduced into the footballing world. Based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City they play their home games at the 'Dicks Sporting Goods Park which holds a capacity of 19,680.

The Club have only won the MLS on one occasion back in 2010 and have once been runners up in 1997. It's participation in the Lamar Hunt US Cup hasn't led to any success but they have once been runners up in 1999 when they lost to the Rochester Rhinos.

Introducing the Squad

Goalkeepers:
Zac MacMath: Will be my first choice goalkeepers for the season. Has the ability to be a star player for the foreseeable future.
John Berner: A quality back up to MacMath and will be challenging for the starts in the US Cup.

Defenders:
Sean St Ledger: (CB) A recognisable name after his stint in England. A quality player for the MLS. Will be my starting CB.
Bobby Burling: (CB) Another experienced character and one that could form a good partnership with St Ledger in the middle at the back.
Jared Watts: (CB) A youngster who will be competing for the starting role. One for the future, will be learning from St Ledger
Dennis Castillo: (CB) Another youngster who will most probably be playing in the cups only this year. Will be cover for the first team.
Axel Sjöberg: (CB) Again, a solid CB with decent stats, will be cover for the first team. Will compete for the starting role
Mekeil Williams: (LB) My starting LB, potential to improve a lot as well. Looking for him to attack down the wings.
Marc Buch: (LB) An experienced contender for the role of LB, will most probably be my backup though.
Marlon Hairston (DR) My only current RB, can also step into the midfield so a decent squad player. Utility man

Midfield:
Jared Watts: (DM) Looks to be a squad player, will be switching in and out with the other DMs as I have a lot of them.
Sam Cronin: (DM/CM) A well known player in the MLS. A quality player to have and will hopefully control the middle third for me.
Emmanuel Appiah: (DM/CM) One for the future, will be looking to learn from Cronin.
Dillon Powers: (DM/AMC) Will be my star man in the midfield. Has the quality to be my best player.
Dillon Serna: (M/RL) Will be looking to switch wings as often as he can. His pace will be something I'll look to exploit. Quality winger
Marco Pappa: (M/RL) My other starting winger. Can also switch wings when needed. A proven goalscorer and plenty of assists.
Shkelzen Gashi: (AM/RLC) Can play anyway across the attacking midfield area. Hoping he can contribute with lots of assists.
Zach Pfeiffer: (AMC) [color=orange] One for the future. He will be playing mostly the cup games but will have him learning from the best[/color]

Forwards:
Connor Doyle: (STC) A target man up front, will switch in when I look to go long. Shows promise.
Kevin Doyle: (STC) The man I'll be looking to, to score the majority of my goals. Previous pedigree in the Premier League. Quality asset:
Luis Solignac: (STC) A younger version of Kevin Doyle, quality player and will switch in with Doyle throughout the season.
John Manga: (STC) My young prospect for the striking position. Excited by his potential of 4 stars. Cup player.

Next Update: Pre Season.

tongey

14 years ago

1 month ago

1,101

29 May 2016 21:23:02

Navigating the Rapids: A Colorado Story.

Pre Season

So we set out on our pre season training camp which was taking place in Pheonix, AZ. A place were we would definitely work on our fitness for the upcoming MLS campaign. I set the training focuses on fitness and team cohesion.

Real Monarchs Salt Lake City (A)
(1-2)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, St Ledger, Williams (1), Burch, Cronin, Powers, Doyle (1), Gashi, Pappa, Solignac
A narrow victory in our pre season friendly. A very even game which surprised me, where they out performed us in terms of shots and shots on target. However we did have more of the ball. A pleasing performance and some decent ratings from the team. Goals from Connor Doyle and Mekeil Williams

Colorado Springs (A)
(1-0)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, St Ledger, Williams, Burch, Cronin, Powers, Doyle, Gashi, Pappa, Solignac
A disappointing loss against a team we should really be beating. Only a friendly but some of the performances were very disappointing. I'll be tweaking the tactics and formations around after this loss to make sure we are primed and ready. Sam Cronin out performed everyone on the team with a rating of 7.7.

Rayo OKC (A)
(1-1)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, St Ledger, Williams, Burch, Cronin, Powers, Doyle , Gashi, Pappa, Solignac (1)
A game which we dominated. I'm sticking with the same line up to try and create some kind of consistency and team cohesion. I may chop and change from now on though to see who plays best. We outplayed Rayo but just couldn't take our chances. Solignac got our sole goal and it was an error from their keeper that allowed him in to score a close ranged finish.

Arizona United (A)
(3-2)
LineUp: Berner, Castillo, Sjöberg, Burling, Williams, Azira, Hairston, Doyle, Pfiffer, Serna (1), Doyle (1)
Again, very disappointed with the loss, but we started to find our scoring boots. A pleasing performance stats wise and another game of fitness under their belts. I changed the team completely and Doyle, K managed to grab a goal which pleased me. Dillon Serna played an outstanding game and managed to grab a goal as well. Starting to dominate possession as well, but we just need to shut up shop at the back.

San Antonia FC (A)
(1-2)
LineUp: MacMath, Veeder, Sjöberg, Burling, Williams, Cronin, Powers, Serna), Gashi (1), Pfeiffer, Doyle (1)
A win where we outplayed them as we should have. 18 shots but only 2 that went in. Doyle managed to score again so hopefully he continues that form into the season which isn't far away. Gashi managed to score a great header to make it 2-0 for us to only concede a few minutes later. Need to tighten up at the back but we are on the right path now.

FC Edmonton(A)
(1-2)
LineUp: Berner, Hairston, St Ledger, Watts, Williams (1), Cronin, Powers, Serna, Gashi, Pappa, Solignac (1)
Another 2-1 victory for us and we are starting to hit a bit of form. I'm still changing the team around to make sure everyone is fit for the season. Solignac is scoring a goal game now and Williams seems to be a free scoring full back. We are dominating possession in games which is a pleasing sign. Still need to tighten up that defence otherwise it could cost us games. Berner in goal read a 9.1 and is pushing for the first team place.

tongey

14 years ago

1 month ago

1,101

30 May 2016 18:03:59

Navigating the Rapids: A Colorado Story.

March 2016: MLS.

Philadelphia Union (A)
(1-2)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, St Ledger, Williams, Burch, Cronin, Powers (1), Doyle, Gashi, Pappa, Doyle (1)
A great way to start the season. Really proud of the boys and the way they dug deep in this game. A man of the match performance from Dillon Powers was the main talking point as he managed to score an 89th minute winner from inside the box after a corner was poorly cleared. Earlier on Kevin Doyle had scored the opening goal on his debut for the club. Familiar name Tranquillo Barnetta had levelled for Philadelphia but it wasn't enough to deny me my first victory in the MLS. A great win away from home.

New York City (H)
(2-1)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, St Ledger, Williams, Burch, Cronin, Powers, Doyle, Gashi, Pappa, Doyle (1) (Solignac 1)
My first home game in charge of the club even with all of the friendly we played. We left it late once again but super sub Solignac came on to score us the winner in the 91st minute. Kevin Doyle once again had put us in front, this time from the penalty spot. A game which could have gone either way but ultimately the New York City star studded team couldn't finish more of their many chances. Doyle took his tally to 2 for the season. Hopefully he can continue his form.

Houston Dynamo (A)
(3-1)
LineUp: MacMath, Hairston, Sjöberg, St Ledger, Burch, Cronin, Powers, Doyle, Pfeiffer, Serna (1), Doyle
Our first loss of the season and in truth Houston deserved it. After a fairly even first half which the Dynamo had taken a 1-0 lead through Erick Torres, Dillon Serna managed to pull a goal back for us and it looked like it could go either way. Houston managed to find another gear though late on and pulled away from us. 2 late goals from Torres and Bruin (who look to be an excellent strike partnership). We suffered from international call ups with many of my players being unable to play due to travelling.

Player of the Month: Kevin Doyle (2 goals in 3 games)