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With all the talk this week about Beckhams move to the MLS in the summer it made me want to start a game in America. I have long been a fan on the MLS and have managed D.C. United a few times on FM06 but this will be my first time on FM07.
I'm going to manage D.C. United again as they are the team i follow in the MLS (I saw them play when i was in Washington last year). I have decided not to update the database in any way from the database which came with the patch, so Adu is still with D.C. United and beckham is still at madrid (I decided not to put Beckham at LA Galaxy as im sure on his current setup a european club will come straight in for him or he will get unhappy).
I'm going to start my game now and i am going to use Aljarov's guide on which country's players to load and im also going to have the english, itaian and spanish league running to see if i can attract any european players over (like what has just happened with Beckham).
Please feel free join me and start a new game (Does not need to be D.C. united just pick which ever team you fancy) or tell us about you current or previus MLS games on FM07.
This is taken straight from Aljarov's MLS guide so all credit for this should go to him, hope you dont mind me posting this Aljarov.
The Superdraft
*FM07 includes, for the first time, a representation of the PDL (called American Developmental League). In these 59 amateur clubs, the future Superdraft players will be created as newgens to start the game and be replenished ever season.
*PDL players/newgens will include a realistic variety of nationalities, mainly Americans but a smattering of Africans, Canadians, South Americans etc…
*PDL players will automatically be scouted ahead of the draft, but you can assign your scouts to players of interest.
*Approximately 68 players will attend the American Draft Combine, essentially a workout in front of scouts from the MLS teams, ahead of draft day. Send your scouts here!
*The MLS Superdraft takes place around the 14th January each season.
*The draft is a 4 round event, with each team picking in reverse order of how they finished in the previous league campaign. I.E, If Chivas finish last in the league, they will pick first.
*Draft picks can be traded during the season, so the actual order will vary depending upon those transactions.
*Draft picks can also be traded on draft day if you really want to move up to secure a player.
*Players in the draft will be between 16-22 years old. Some will be game ready, others might need some time in the reserves to improve their skills. Others, simply are not good enough. Pick wisely!
*The game also includes a representation of Generation Adidas players (basically the top prospects who are paid by Adidas directly). They are selected prior to the draft and announced via a news item. These players wages will NOT count towards the cap for their entire contract period, making them extremely desirable. Recent GA players include such as Freddy Adu and Marvell Wynne. As mentioned, GA players are denoted by a ‘USY’ tab next to their name.
*After the draft you will need to sign your picked players to contracts if desired, else their rights will be held until the end of the year following the draft (So the Jan 2007 Draft will create rights until Dec 31st 2008).
*There is a second draft - The Supplemental Draft - around the 4th of February each year.
*This draft is the left over players from the original draft (essentially, you have a bit more time to assess your squad after the first draft and then can pick up players to fill any obvious gaps).
*This is also 4 rounds, 1 pick each round per team (unless trades have taken place).
*If you pass in either draft you will not be allowed another selection for the remainder of that draft.
*Any remaining players can be approached if desired to be signed as a free agent. In recent years players have been signed as free agents on Developmental contracts to play on the reserve team. Some of these players have made big reputations for themselves, earning senior contracts, and in some cases (such as Bobby Boswell and Chris Rolfe) international recognition too. Diamonds in the rough do exist!
*You can’t approach PDL players before the draft if you are managing in MLS, however, there’s nothing stopping you, or any other manager based outside of MLS from coming in and nabbing some of the top talent, just like in real life.
*Finally, not all players will be ready to start in MLS, especially younger players. The inclusion of the Reserve league means you can develop those players at a slower pace so time is on your side more than it was before.
Waiver Draft:
There is also a waiver draft in MLS. This will include any players who have been waived since the end of the last season (who are not out of contract). This is a good way to pick up a player from another team without having to pay compensation. Most of these guys have been cut for a reason (declining, too expensive, disruptive), but there’s definitely some good players in the mix. Remember, if you pick some one up, you’ll need to stay within the 28 player limits, so you may need to waive someone yourself in return.
It's imperative to use your international choices wisely as they are limited (7) and should ONLY be used to fill skill positions. Dump your poor/average internationals and use American players as def mids, centerbacks, and keepers as they are plentiful. Scout South/ Central America for technically skilled young players (Colombia isn't a bad early choice as they have loads of talent for "relative" cheap). Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Chile can provide a boost. Brazilians tend to be too expensive to bother with.
Amass first and second rd draft picks asap. 3rd and 4th rounders are essentially worthless. Developmental contracted players are dead useful given the senior contract limits. Oh, and trade for Altidore (NY Redbulls) if you can swing it. Besagno(Salt Lake) can be had pretty easily and he is very versatile.
FC Dallas is a pretty good team to start with as they have their own "soccer specific stadium" and good young talent with potential, sprinkled with some solid veterans, many of them (Valakari, Vanney, Saragosa, Mulrooney, Hislop, etc) expendible and therefore sellable. Of course, you'll want to sack the entire coaching staff as well, as they suck.
You'll notice right away that FCD is overloaded with def mid types (Colin Clarke's dubious legacy), but you should be able to dump most of the deadweight for high draft picks if you are lucky. Kenny Cooper is a hell of a target man btw and is a foundation to build upon. Ruiz is a goal machine, but I'd recommend selling him if the price is right (I got 8+ mil USD). Used the majority of that (6.75 mil USD) to sign Alejandro Gomez from Argentina, who is a beast of an AMC in my game. But there are plenty of other fish in that sea... O'Brien is one of the better right wingers in MLS, McCarty makes a great mid after a few yrs, and Burse develops into a nice keeper after you get tired of Sala/Cassar. Moor, Yi, and Goodson are very solid in the back.
I have just finished Pre-Season and i am ready for the start of the season. Had a good pre-season Played Miami FC (won 4-0), Virginia Beach (Drew 0-0), Richmond (Won 3-0) and played Northern Virginia (Won 8-1).
I have only made a couple of changes to the squad.
Signed Nik Besagno (D-DM) in exchange for Nick Rimando (GK)
Signed Altidore from New York in exchange for Jamil Walker and a 4th round draft pick (Transfer not going through till end of December)
Signed U.S international Clint Mathis (AM/FC) in the Waiver Draft as cover for Eskandarian and Moreno
So with my 1st game coming up this is my strongest starting 11, im using a modified 4-4-2 formation.
GK Troy Perkins
DR David Stokes
DL Brandon Prideaux
DC Bobby Boswell
DC Facundo Erpen
MR Josh Gros
ML Freddy Adu
MC Christian Gomez
MC Ben Olsen
ST Jamie Moreno
ST Alecko Eskandarian
S1 Ryan McIntosh
S2 Bryan Namoff
S3 Brian Carroll
S4 Nik Besagno
S5 Mathis Donnet
S6 Clint Mathis
S7 Matt Nickell
I am 20/1 to win the league which suprised me as being a bit big. I think i have a chance but will have a better idea after the first few games.
**Official MLS management thread** 
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