Subject: Is the Major League Worth it?

Currently I am in first in my division after my opponent played a weaker lineup which allowed me to win. With the league reform and there being no qualifying match I should expect to be promoted to the Majors.

If promoted I expect to be relegated and lose a lot of fan support. I already sell out my stadium so there shouldn’t be a major financial gain unless I build more seats. In order to remain competitive I would have to spend considerably on aging players for just a short rental. With the new financial reform, it makes me wonder if it’s even worth it?

I have noticed that there are some wealthy clubs that have played sokker for many years that are now in the A and B leagues so it makes me think twice about promotion. What do you think and what is your experience in this position.

It's funny, I had this same dilemma last year in B league (my first season). I tanked on purpose to stay in B another year. Everyone told me not to, but now my team is far better than last season. I have no money, I'm scraping together the team I have by playing the transfer market like a poverty owner.

Even so, I'm going to get battered next season in whatever A league I go to. I just won't relegate I can't say the same for last season.

Each club should have its own development strategy. I think sometimes it's worth spending a few seasons in a lower league, because later it's easier to bounce back higher. I at my club have a very simple strategy. I train young US players so that in the future they will be useful in the USA U21 national team, and later in the seniors.

In my opinion, short answer is no, if you are needing to buy older players to be competitive in ML.

I can't say for others but in my experience you will need to have a long-term plan to be somewhat competitive. In my case, I handicap myself even more by yielding US-only players and mostly using players coming from my youth team. I rarely use the transfer market (34 purchases over 18 years playing Sokker).

With that said, over those 18 years, I have never won the ML title or US Cup.
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I agree with a long-term plan... playing with an old team will eventually catch up with you. I prioritize training since that is how I think you're going to become financially stable.

honestly, taking a look at your team on paper, compared to ML, you're basically in the same boat I am (looking at A leagues, for me)

I think you would finish in the 6th-10th range in ML. It's about what I expect from my team in A next year. I'm just going to need to buy one older striker, since my trainees are NOT high in striking right now.

I'd be inclined to go for it with what you have. Maybe buy one or two older guys at your weakest spots.

Wow. Thanks for all the feedback! I didn't expect to have this many responses. After listening to what everyone had to say I decided it would be the best to hang back in the A-leagues and develop some of my players more and get younger at striker. This way I could continue to develop my U21 prospects and to be more competitive for longer when I do transition to the majors down the line. Thanks again!

This brings the topic of training… what main coach are you using and who are you training? For good variety of training you need a coach with highest skills’ level at everything pretty much.

I have 2 magical coaches as a main and youth school. One is unearthly x7 but isn’t unearthly in pace so the other has pace and a few other skills so I can basically train any player if I plan.

I train a few 23 year olds that I have trained since 18 and my youth academy graduates. I used to train midfielders pre update, now I train a GK, 2 DEF, 4 MIDs and 2-3 Strikers that way I can field a good squad

@Sebek: Sounds like you’re on the right track! Give it some time … :)
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LOL, 3 months later, sandbagging again.
Imagine having a team valued at 15 million and being afraid of the USA ML.

Good luck to Deuce for having the balls to go up.

Deuce is the beast. Sebek - thumbs down.. I may be biased - Sebek always gives me a good lesson so I cant wait for him to advance :D

Damn. Missed out by -1 goal differential. Kinda embarrassing.

Team value is overrated and so heavily based on form. Congrats on finishing 4th.

LOL, come on man. It was your team score. Nice try though.

https://sokker.org/comment?matchID=40261485

Your average team score in a league match?
https://sokker.org/league_stats/leagueID/1065/stat_type/avg_players

You'd have been FINE in the major league. Hell, I would take my chances in ML right now with MY team. If it stayed healthy. Although my core team not really ready and only turning 21/22, I'm going for ML next season. I went 9-2 the second half of the season, with one of my losses being an absolute joke this past Wednesday night. Lost BOTH of my senior strikers, still held Dragon to 4 shots on goal and yet got RNG'd into a 3-0 loss.

Maybe see you there in three months.

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Three full seasons in the game, and I'm coming up.

Might not stay, I'm not going to buy up temporarily. We'll see if I can scrape up 9th :)