Timbers Tid Bits: FIFA 12 Edition

by Geoff Gibson on Sep 28, 2011 8:57 AM PDT

Got my copy in yesterday but wasn't able to actually sit down with it until about 9:00pm unfortunately so my review of the game might be delayed until tomorrow. That said, I will say that I'm loving the new physics system as it brings a whole new level of realism not experienced prior, but I'm hating the new defense system. For some reason the defending AI just seems far weaker than it was in previous games. Maybe it's just a learning curve, we'll see...

I'll also be doing game simulation previews now whereby I'll let the computer play as both sides and then report on the outcome. It's all for fun, obviously, and is in no way indicative of the actual result but I hope it'll lend to the experience a bit more.

Finally, if you have a PS3 and FIFA 12 feel free to add me: BacteriaEP. I'm not very good and I don't have a mic, but I like playing online!

Enjoy the morning news!

Timbers news

Spencer looks to adjust midfield in light of card suspensions
Kalif Alhassan and captain Jack Jewsbury will be serving one-game suspensions this weekend.

Vote for MLS Save of the Week: Wk. 28
Troy Perkins is, once again, up for Save of the Week.

Bright Dike scores twice as Timbers' reserves defeat Chivas 5-1
Hot damn! Exciting reserve game. Too bad I couldn't go...

Other news (after the jump)

Is it time for Instant Replay in Major League Soccer?
No. Anything that slows down the game is going to ruin the primary reason why soccer is enjoyable.

Downturn reminds MLS of CCL's trials
Bruce Arena's LA Galaxy are not the only team to see fortunes fade in CONCACAF Champions League.

GALAXY: Winning's a must, no matter the calls
The Galaxy's failure to reach the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Champions League would be remembered primarily for the phantom offside calls.

Real Salt Lake on the rise once again in its most trying season
Real Salt Lake scored three first-half goals to beat the New York Red Bulls last week before falling to D.C. Unted.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Attends Beyond Sport United, Commits to Quest for Social Change
Lots of sports politicking it seems.

Highlight-reel Hassli eager to regain scoring magic
Eric Hassli scored what should be the Goal of the Year in Major League Soccer this season. (I'd say Nagbe's is at least tied...)

Seattle shows class in reaching last eight
Ives Galarcep reflects on Seattle Sounders' achievement in becoming the first MLS team to reach the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

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Comments

I'm completely in favor of instant replay in limited situations as in that article

Goals, penalty claims, and red cards should absolutely be subject to video review. It wouldn’t slow down the game much, if at all. Think of it this way – how much time was spent on the field debating the Khalif red card on Saturday? MLS should allow off-field officials to use that time that players currently use in surrounding the referee and shouting at him to review the call and get it right.

There is absolutely no reason that those of us at home should have better views of any disputed action than those at the game – the technology exists, it’s widely accepted, and it should be used to get calls right the first time.

by pdb on Sep 28, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

I'm not so keen on the replay idea

I watched Manchester United vs Basel yesterday. It was an incredibly exciting match. The play moved quickly, very few breaks in the action, even when fouls were called. I had access to replays and different angles and everything. And you know what? The referee made the right call every time. When Ashley Young took a dive in the box, the referee let the teams play on. Antonio Valencia took down Marco Streller in the box and the referee pointed at the spot. He didn’t use replays — he was just a good referee.

Yes, we have the technology. But you know what’s even better than technology — referees that don’t suck. If the USSF supplied better referees, ones the players and fans could actually respect, we’d see a lot less diving, a lot less arguing about calls, and a lot more actual soccer being played. Adding a fifth official to watch the match on TV would probably decrease the diving, but if the referees on the field still sucked, players/coaches would still argue every call.

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Sep 28, 2011 9:34 AM PDT reply actions

I wholeheartedly agree with the referees that don't suck idea

but how realistic is that for next season? Not very. Why can’t we do both? Implement replay now, in limited situations (it doesn’t involve new technology so it would take no time at all to set up), and rework/scrap the USSF deal so that MLS can have control over its own referees and their training.

I see nothing wrong with MLS being an incubator for ideas that would improve the game as a whole, and I think replay would do that. It would definitely improve MLS.

by pdb on Sep 28, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Instant referee improvement

We already steal play-by-play announcers and aging star players from Europe. Why can’t we steal Europe’s referees too?

But I agree that MLS can and should take more than one route to a better game. I just want to make sure a replay system doesn’t end up hurting our progress toward that end.

When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy

by Andrew Wheeler on Sep 28, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

FIFA 12 is pretty awesome

Especially since i added custom chants for the Timbers, so I now hear the TA chanting during FIFA 12 Timbers matches.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 28, 2011 10:17 AM PDT reply actions

TA chants

where did you get the sound files for the chants?

by uojones on Sep 29, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

A bunch of places

I have a giant zip file I’ll try and post.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 29, 2011 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

FIFA 12 on iPad2

Anyone know if it’s available yet? Searching for it in app store… nothing.

by yepyou'reright on Sep 28, 2011 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

FIFA 12 on iPad2 con't

Chara, Perlaza, and Nagbe are not white guys. Neither is Futty and Alhassan. Love the return of Horstache though. EA overrated Vancouver Whitecaps.

by yepyou'reright on Sep 29, 2011 12:03 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions

FIFA 12's Defense

I am playing it right now and the new defense is giving me an eye twitch. I am so close to being ok with, but terrible things still just keep happening. I think remapping the controller may be in order.

That said, I keep getting flashed of how good the new defensive setup could be. It is certianly more involving than holding two buttons to double team you opponent then eventually getting the ball.

Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy

by William Conwell on Sep 28, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

To continue the High school/club debate

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/44004/club-vs-high-school-conflict-heats-up-a-view-fro.html

An interview with the head of the US Coaches association, the NSCAA, on the topic among other things.

Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.

by Kejsare on Sep 29, 2011 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

Interesting thread

I get both sides of the debate. But it’s getting to the point where HS programs are going to have to get with it, not the other way around. MLS academies are not going let HS coaches tell them how to do things and they shouldn’t. They have the leverage and can get enough good players into the academies even if there is some backlash. That might seem arrogant but it’s how things are going.

Leave it up to the player to choose academy or HS.

by yepyou'reright on Sep 29, 2011 7:53 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions