steelerfan's FIFA 14 (PS3) Career Mode Thread

[steelerfan]

Who woke up Giles Barnes?

Houston featured Barnes up front in the second half of Saturday night's clash with Columbus Crew at BBVA Compass Stadium and Barnes delivered with a Man of the Match performance.

Barnes (6.9) put six of his ten shots on target, scoring twice. In the 55th minute, Barnes headed in a Omar Cummings cross from a right wing set piece and, in the 59th, he chipped one over a sprawling keeper from 8 yards after taking a through ball from Oscar Boniek Garcia.

Barnes' goals erased a 1-0 Crew lead and gave Houston a thrilling 2-1 result.

In a game that featured ten corners, Columbus had more of the ball (55%) but it was Dynamo who were more clinical. Houston had a decided advantage in shots on target, outshooting Columbus 18(9) to 15(4) and their persistence paid off with the 3 points.

Houston (6-4-11) have moved back into eighth in the Eastern Conference and will visit Real Salt Lake (11-6-6) next Saturday.

[steelerfan]

A furious final 5 minutes at Rio Tinto Stadium saw several chances for Houston Dynamo go unfulfilled as Real Salt Lake held on for a 2-1 result.

Houston, trailing 1-0, equalized in the 70th minute as Brad Davis took a through ball in the area from Ricardo Clark and rifled a shot into the top right corner from thirteen yards.

However, just seven minutes later, RSL regained the lead setting up the frantic finish that included Houston's Kifo Sarkodie hitting the crossbar from nineteen yards in injury time.

Houston (6-4-12) will visit winless Philadelphia Union (0-8-16) on Wednesday night.

[steelerfan]

In a season that has been filled with lows for Houston Dynamo, they may have hit rock bottom on Wednesday night at PPL Park.

A penalty call against goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 42nd minute was converted and Philadelphia Union made it stand as the winner, beating Houston 1-0. Philadelphia came in to the match with 0 wins and just 6 draws in their first 24 matches, including a 0-0 result at Houston.

Dynamo outshot the opposition 18(7) to 7(2) but could not find that finishing touch on a night of frustration for Dominic Kinnear's side. One has to wonder what the immediate future holds for Kinnear at Houston, with a club that has won back-to-back Eastern Conference Championships but now languishes near the bottom of the table.

Houston (6-4-13) will be afforded little time to make adjustments as they host Seattle Sounders at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday. Seattle (13-4-5) are level on points with LA Galaxy for the top spot in the Western Conference, with 2 games in hand. Both Seattle and LA are just 1 point clear of Real Salt Lake.

[steelerfan]

Houston Dynamo earned a thrilling 3-2 result over Seattle Sounders on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Trailing 1-0 Will Bruin struck in the 45th minute from 7 yards to level the match at the half.

Houston would enjoy a short-lived lead when Brian Boswell headed in a Brad Davis corner in the 69th minute, but Seattle leveled the score just one minute later.

Giles Barnes, who came on in the 74th minute, provided the match decider in the 86th minute. Barnes took a Jermaine Taylor delivery and split 4 defenders before finessing the ball, on the short side, from the top left corner of the 6-yard box into the Seattle net.

Brian Boswell (7.2) earned Man of the Match honors with a stellar two-way performance.

Next up, Houston (7-4-13) will host New York Red Bulls (12-10-4). New York were 4-2 winners over Dynamo at Red Bull Arena on June 30th.

[steelerfan]

New York's Bradley Wright-Phillips put a penalty kick off of the outside of the left post in the 23rd minute and Red Bulls never seemed to recover on Wednesday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Will Bruin recorded a goal (30') and an assist in leading Houston Dynamo to a shock 2-0 result over New York.

Bruin fired a shot into the bottom left corner from 17 yards, after taking a pass from Ricardo Clark. In the second half, a 78th minute exchange between Bruin and Alexander Lopez, on the counter, resulted in a put-away first touch screamer from twelve yards for Lopez.

For his defensive efforts, Eric Brunner (7.7) earned Man of the Match honors in Houston's convincing victory. Brunner was part of a backline that kept Tally Hall relatively clean. Hall made just 3 saves, in keeping his sixth league clean sheet.

Houston was far more aggressive than was New York in the match. Houston registered 45 tackles to just 18 for the visitors. Dynamo also held a large edge in shooting. Houston put 8 of their 19 shots on target while New York only managed 7 shots with 3 on target.

Houston (8-4-13) will visit fifth-placed Montreal Impact (8-10-7) on Saturday. Houston trails Montreal, who holds the last playoff spot by six points. Dynamo were 3-1 losers in Montreal on June 19.

[steelerfan]

A second trip to Saputo Stadium did not yield a different result for Houston Dynamo on Saturday night in Montreal.

With a lineup that featured several reserves because of the recent fixture pileup, Houston conceded twice in the second half. The 2-0 loss featured the season debuts of striker Cam Weaver and goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

Houston was impressive, statistically: 55% possession, 23 shots, 9 on target, 32 tackles, 6 corners - usually more than enough for a result. Not on this night.

Houston (8-4-14) will close out the month of August at Columbus Crew Stadium on Wednesday night. Columbus (10-5-11) lost to Houston, at home, on August 3rd, 2-1 and were 1-0 winners in Houston on June 1st.

[steelerfan]

Another 2-0 loss was the result for Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night in Columbus.

In very sloppy, rainy conditions, Houston failed to convert on any of their 13 shots, while putting just 3 on target. Columbus, on the other hand, put 6 of 15 on target and were able to find the back of the net on two occasions.

Center Forward Federico Higuain turned a pair of Houston penalties (27', 54') into the night's only goals, powering home a double from the spot.

Columbus also dominated possession, with 57%, and were a sparkling 82% passing compared to Houston's less-than-stellar 62%.

Houston finish the month of August no better than they began it. Dynamo sit eighth in the East, nine points from playoff positioning. With only 7 matches remaining, Dominic Kinnear's side is very unlikely to see the postseason.

Through August, Sporting Kansas City (16-7-4) are atop the Eastern Conference table while LA Galaxy (17-4-7) are the West leaders.

Houston (8-4-15) will open September with a visit to Chicago Fire (15-6-6) on Sunday the 1st. The clubs split a pair of 2-1 results in Houston on April 14 and July 27.

[steelerfan]

A third consecutive defeat, this one a 4-1 thrashing against Chicago Fire, was how Houston Dynamo opened the month of September on Sunday.

Brad Davis converted from the penalty spot in first half injury time giving Houston a 1-0 lead at the break. But Chicago flexed it's muscle in the second half with goals at 52', 70', 73' and 82' to submit the visitors.

Following the upcoming international break, Houston (8-4-16) will host Chivas USA (10-12-7) on Saturday the 21st.

[steelerfan]

Houston fell at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night,marking their 4 straight loss. Chivas USA were 1-0 winners, with the match's only goal coming in the 69th minute.

Houston (8-4-17) will visit New England Revolution (7-6-16) next Saturday. The sides drew in Houston, 1-1, on May 18 and New England were 2-1 winners at Gillette Stadium on July 13.

[steelerfan]

Houston Dynamo were able to stop the bleeding, if for just one night, with a 1-0 win at Gillette Stadium over New England Revolution.

Just 7 minutes in, Houston striker Will Bruin drew a red card on New England keeper Bobby Shuttleworth after a poor challenge prevented a clear opportunity for the Dynamo forward.

New England chose to replace Shuttleworth by substituting center back AJ Soares out and bringing backup keeper Luis Sofner on. Brad Davis then converted from the spot for the match's lone goal.

Sofner (7.9) made a total of 18 saves and, despite Houston continuously cutting through a depleted backline, kept the visitors' result in doubt for the full 90. Houston put 6 of their 18 shots on target but Sofner was continuously up to task.

For Houston, Tally Hall made 11 saves in keeping a clean sheet.

Houston enter October, the final month of the season, at 9-4-17 and remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference table. The East is led by Sporting Kansas City (20-7-4), while the Western Conference leaders are Seattle Sounders FC (19-6-7).

Houston will host Montreal Impact (12-10-9) on Friday the 4th. Houston lost the two previous matches with Impact, both in Montreal, 3-1 on June 19th and 2-0 on August 24.

[steelerfan]

Houston got a second consecutive 1-0 result and, again, the only goal was scored from the penalty spot in the first half by Brad Davis.

This time, Davis converted in the 34th minute. The attempt was the result of a handball committed after Davis crossed in a free kick toward Will Bruin from the right flank.

Houston kept Montreal on the defensive throughout the match, possessing the ball 53% and outshooting Impact 22(9) to 6(2).

Center back Eric Brunner suffered a bruised elbow and boss Dominic Kinnear said Brunner is, "day to day, but will likely miss some time."

Houston's slim playoff hopes remain alive as they prepare to host Sporting Kansas City (21-7-4) on Tuesday night. The sides split their first two meetings this year with the road club taking each match 2-1 in Houston on May 12 and 1-0 in Kansas City on May 26.

[steelerfan]

Despite a valiant effort, Houston Dynamo officially bowed out of the playoff race on Tuesday night, losing to Sporting Kansas City 1-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Though Dynamo picked up the pace late on, they were outshot 15(7) to 10(2). KC also held a slight possession advantage (52%), with Oriol Rossell heading in the difference-maker in the 80th minute.

Tuesday night also saw New York Red Bulls win the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 result over DC United.

Houston (10-4-18) will host New York (14-10-8) on Sunday the 20th. The clubs split the first two meetings, with the home side winning each: 4-2 in New York on June 30 and 2-0 in Houston on August 21.

[steelerfan]

On Thursday, October 10, Houston announced the extension of midfielder Alex Dixon's (62 OVR) contract. The new deal will pay the 23-year-old £3,000 per week and ties the US National to the club through the 2017 season.

The club also announced that US goalkeeper Ryan Jeffrey (53 OVR) was signed to a 2 year deal (through 2015). Jeffery, 17, joins the senior club from Houston's youth academy.

[steelerfan]

Jason Johnson struck in stoppage time to help Houston Dynamo earn a 1-1 draw with New York on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Johnson vollied a Kofi Sarkodie cross from six yards for the last-gasp equalizer after coming on for Brian Ching in the 84th minute.

For Ching, who has announced his plans to retire at season's end, it was his final home game. In a gesture of gratitude, boss Dominic Kinnear allowed the veteran striker one final feature in front of the home supporters after being left out of the team for most of the season.

Houston (10-5-18) will close out a disappointing 2013 campaign next Sunday with a visit to DC United (13-5-15). Houston opened the season with a 2-1 home loss to DC on March 2 and and were 3-2 winners in the nation's capital on May 8.

[steelerfan]

In what most pundits believe will be boss Dominic Kinnear's final match in charge of Houston Dynamo, Houston were 1-0 losers at DC United on Sunday. The loss closes out a miserable season that saw the two-time defending Eastern Conference Champions finish eighth in the conference table at 10-5-19.

Houston struggled tremendously all season, with regards to their finishing. The club managed just 30 goals, while conceding 47, in league play. Midfielder, and captain, Brad Davis led the club with 8 goals and 4 assists while goalkeeper Tally Hall kept 8 clean sheets. Only midfielder Oscar Boniek Garcia and center back Bobby Boswell featured in all 34 of the club's league matches.

Final 2013 MLS Tables

Eastern Conference
1. Sporting KC 74
2. Chicago 65
3. New York 54

4. Montreal 49
5. DC United 47

6. Columbus 43
7. Toronto 43
8. Houston 35
9, New England 28
10. Philadelphia 19

Western Conference
1. LA Galaxy 70
2. Sounders FC 63
3. FC Dallas 56

4. Real Salt Lake 53
5. Chivas USA 49

6. Portland 42
7. Colorado 41
8. San Jose 41
9. Whitecaps FC 16

[steelerfan]

2013 MLS Statistical Leaders

Golden Boot
1. Donovan (LA) 16
1. Wondolowski (SJ) 16
3. Magee (Chi) 14
3. Bieler (KC) 14
5. 3 with 13

Assists
1. Zusi (KC) 9
1. Villarreal (LA) 9
3. Donovan (LA) 8
3. Higuain (CMB) 8
5. Cooper (DAL) 7

Golden Glove
1. Nielsen (KC) 12
2. Gspurning (SEA) 11
3. Rimando (RSL) 10
3. Penedo (LA) 10
5. 3 with 9

[steelerfan]

MLS Playoff Round Results

Montreal 2:1 DC United

Real Salt Lake 3:1 Chivas USA



MLS Conference Semi-Finals Results

FC Dallas 1:2 Sounders FC
Sounders FC 2:0 FC Dallas
(Seattle wins on aggregate, 4-1)

Montreal Impact 1:1 Sporting KC
Sporting KC 2:1 Montreal Impact
(Kansas City wins on aggregate, 3-2)

NY Red Bulls 1:0 Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire 2:3 NY Red Bulls
(New York wins on aggregate, 4-2)

Real Salt Lake 1:1 LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy 4:2 Real Salt Lake
(Los Angeles wins on aggregate, 5-3)



MLS Conference Championships Results

NY Red Bulls 2:1 Sporting KC
Sporting KC 3:1 NY Red Bulls
(Kansas City wins on aggregate, 4-3)

Sounders FC 2:2 LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy 1:1 Sounders FC
(Los Angeles wins on road goals, 2-1)



2013 MLS Cup Final

Sporting KC 1:2 LA Galaxy

[steelerfan]

Houston Dynamo have extended the contract of defensive midfielder Servando Carrasco (67 OVR). The new deal will tie him to the club through 2016 and pays 6,000 per week.

The club has also locked up attacking midfielder Alexander Lopez (70 OVR) though 2017 for 15,000 per week. The deal makes Lopez the second highest paid player with the club, alongside Brad Davis, behind only Oscar Boniek Garcia.

[steelerfan]

On January 23, 2014 Dominic Kinnear announced that he was leaving Houston Dynamo to join Sligo Rovers Football Club of the Republic of Ireland's Airtricity League. Rovers (9-10-5) are currently 5th in the 12-team table, 9 points behind league leaders Dundalk.

The 'Bit o' Red' began playing football in 1928 and were 3rd in the league last season. They joined the League of Ireland in 1934, are owned by the people of Sligo, and have played at The Showgrounds since their inception. They recently won a third Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup (FAI Cup) in four years and in the season previous to this recent cup win became the 2012 Premier Division Champions.

In total they have won three league titles, five FAI Cups and two League cups. The club has made 2 appearances in the UEFA Champions League and 3 appearances in the UEFA Europa League. They have never won a match in either competition. Their only win in a European competition came in the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1994-95 when they eliminated Floriana, 3-2 on aggregate, in the Qualifying Round.

[steelerfan]

Dominic Kinnear had his Sligo debut spoiled late on as Rovers conceded in the 88th minute at Limerick to lose 1-0.

Danny Ventre fed a through ball to Aaron Greene which Greene struck from a spot between the left elbows of the six and eighteen yard boxes and into the top right corner of the Limerick net for Sligo's only goal of the match.

Sligo (9-10-6) will close out the month of January on Friday the 31st with a trip to Shamrock Rovers (11-12-2).