Soccer just isn't as popular here in the States. But for the few who love the sport, and prefer MLS over most, FIFA can get frustrating. In any game, you want to beat the best of the best with your team So how are you supposed to beat Man City with the Vancouver Whitecaps? Bo McCready knows:

Play on the Floor

 

The long ball is a very viable strategy when you’re either bigger or faster than your opponents. But if you’re using an MLS team against one of the best sides in the game, you’ll be neither. Instead, focus on short, controlled ground passes to move the ball from one end of the field to the other. Don’t get cute and try to dribble past defenders, and don’t bomb the ball down the field – just keep it simple. Crosses and lobbed through balls shouldn’t even cross your mind until you’re around your opponents’ defensive box.

 

The “play on the floor” strategy applies to a lot of goal kicks and free kicks as well. An excessively powerful goal kick will fall right to an opposing defender, setting up a counterattack. It’s the same with free kicks from your own half of the field, which are even more risky because a lot of your players will be pulled forward, leaving gaps in your defense. Look for a clear passing angle, play the ball short, and set up your attack from there.

Concede the Midfield

 

Let’s be honest – midfield play in FIFA 12 is a joke. You can’t stop the CPU before their attack gets close to your box, and vice versa. Instead, focus on playing well around the boxes. A suicidal tackling run by one of your defenders into the midfield won’t work, and your back line will be one man thinner when the CPU advances the ball. On the other hand, CPU players do things that your players never will unless you take manual control, like intercepting passes and making effective tackles.

 

When playing against a better team, it’s all about the risk/reward ratio, and attempting to control the midfield is a risk that isn’t worth taking. The only exception to this rule is if you manually use of your strikers to harass opposing midfielders. That way, you can attempt to spark a counter-attack while allowing your midfielders and defenders to maintain their shape.

 

The premier teams are bigger, stronger, and faster -- and better than your MLS team. Good luck.

 

Find your Strengths

 

MLS teams don’t stack up with premier squads. But that’s not to say that there aren’t useful MLS players that can change a game. David Beckham’s free kick ability can snag you some low-effort goals. Speedsters like Colorado’s Marvel Wynne can create space and pull defenders out wide, leaving room for your attackers to cut inside. Even lower-rated players often excel in one category, and it’s your job to pick through your squad (including the substitutes and reserves) to find skills that you can exploit. This isn’t NCAA Football, so look beyond categories like speed and acceleration. Strong players can hold up the ball and maintain balance in the box. Players with excellent crossing can whip balls into the center of the field to created headed goals or lucky deflections.

 

More than any other EA game, FIFA allows multiple styles of player to be effective when used properly. If you know how to use each of your players, you’ll have a much better time.

 

You may feel like Gene Hackman out of Hoosiers when your MLS squad faces a Premier team, it's ok.

 

Attack, attack, attack

 

If you’re tied or behind, there’s no reason to have your team set to play any style more conservative than “Attacking.” Because most MLS teams don’t have great playmakers up front, it’s likely that you will need some support when you’re attacking. If you’re using “Balanced” or “Defending” approaches, your midfielders won’t come forward to support your attack as much as they should. That lack of support will be painful when there’s a rebound sitting there in the box waiting to be tapped in and nobody’s there to take the shot. You also should always have at least three attacking-type players on the field.

 

Whether it’s three strikers, two strikers and an attacking midfielder, or one striker and two wingers, having that third player joining every attack will make sure your strikers don’t get overwhelmed. Also, don’t be afraid to send shots into a crowded penalty area. A goal scored on a lucky bounce is still a goal, and if you’ve set the game to allow penalties for hand balls (which you should), you might have the good fortune to draw a couple of penalties as well.

Have a Sense of Humor

 

The best teams in FIFA 12 have players that can create goals from out of nowhere. You could play a nearly-perfect game, only to watch Sergio Aguero sprint past your entire team in the 90th minute and score a ridiculous goal with two defenders hanging on him. It’s frustrating, but it happens. The best thing you can do is laugh about it and give the game another go. And when you pull off a huge upset, feel good about it. You didn’t win by shooting 70 times with LeBron James, running Hail Mary every play with Oregon, or scrambling 30 times with Michael Vick. You won because you played a great game.

OS readers, what are your favorite strategies for beating a great team? And who's excited for a great weekend of soccer ahead (Come on you Irons!)?