FIFA 22: eMLS Cup Champion George Adamou talks MLS, tactics, & reveals his favourite FUT player

With the Ultimate Team of the Season signalling the beginning of the end for the FIFA 22 cycle, we can now take some time to reflect on this year's game.

Helping us do that - alongside some reaction to the recently released MLS Team of the Season - is former eMLS Cup Champion George Adamou, a professional FIFA player representing Houston Dynamo in the eMLS.

We had the privilege of speaking to George about all manner of FIFA related topics, and you can catch our full interview below.

MLS Team of the Season

With Adamou being both an eSports representative and fan of Houston Dynamo - as well as a big watcher of the MLS - it felt only right to ask if any top stars had wrongfully missed out on a Team of the Season card.

The 2020 eMLS Cup champion expressed the surprise we all felt when former Manchester United star Javier Hernandez missed out.

"Watching the MLS over the last few years, the two players that I I'm surprised missed out are Carlos Vela and Chicharito. They both had very good seasons and usually when you want to make a good Team of the Season you will add a big player in there to give it even more exposure."

But should any Houston Dynamo players have made the cut?

"Definitely Darwin Quintero. And he would definitely have five star skill moves. He likes to enjoy his time on the field with the way he dribbles. For pro players, having someone with great skill moves gives you a big advantage over others because it makes players very unpredictable."

Quintero certainly would've been a popular choice amongst the fans, but would any of the stars that made the MLS Team of the Season be finding their way into George's Ultimate Team?

"In my global series team, I would probably say no, because you would have to compare playing with TOTS Mukhtar to using a TOTY Cristiano Ronaldo. I can guarantee you if the eMLS Cup was tomorrow, all 11 of these players would be in my starting lineup."

Tips and Tricks from the Champ

We all have our own unique styles in FIFA 22. From attacking to counter-attacking, 4 up top to 5 at the back, we all have our own ways of competing.

Whilst everyone finds success in their own little ways, how has George Adamou's style helped his success?

"I'm a very attacking player. I'm willing to take risks because I believe in my attacking ability, I'm not going to sit and put 11 behind the ball and try to counter-attack. I'll concede three, but I'll also score five, you'll never catch a low scoring game."

Similarly to styles, we also all find our feet in different formations, but the former eMLS Cup winner has certainly found his perfect system in FIFA 22.

"I run the formation 4-1-2-1-2, which is a very narrow formation. You always have the passing options. I like playing straight through the middle and having my players link up before eventually getting that ball in-behind to one of my strikers."

What about those that are looking to make their way in the FIFA professional scene? What advice would Adamou offer?

"I would tell someone that's trying to get into this to make sure that you have a passion and make sure that you have the hours to put in. You want to make sure that you're playing people that are at a higher level. I wasn't always a top-three player in North America and I would take beatings when I started. The only way you learn is when you play better people. It's the little intricacies that the top players do that if you're able to get into your game can really change the way you play."

The Mind of a Professional

FIFA 22 is a game that can induce all kinds of stresses, even for the average player, but what is that pressure like at the very top of the FIFA eSports scene?

"You gotta get lost in the moment and you have to treat it like it's any other game. I know so many people that can win 40 out of 40 practice games and then not perform in the tournament."

"When you're practising the nerves aren't there and you play to the best of your ability. It's about how you can translate that to when the nerves are there. It's easier said than done. It's really important that you mentally prepare yourself and give it everything. Then you have no regrets".

With a mindset like that, it's not surprising that Adamou's star is continually on the rise.

Top of the Pile

We've taken a look at some of our favourite players in FIFA 22, but who takes the cake for the Houston Dynamo pro?

"I'm actually coming off a qualifier and the one card that got me through it is Icon Moments Pele."

"According to competition restrictions, we're able to either use two regular icons or one Moments Icon and I put all my belief into Pele. I like the way that he moves, he really suits me because I love just dribbling and turning my opponent inside-out."

There is one popular Brazilian Icon that the Houston Dynamo pro isn't a fan of, however:

"R9 is too heavy on the ball for me this year. People love R9 this year but I don't like him, so Pele is definitely my guy."

Be sure to check out George Adamou on all of his social channels and keep your eyes peeled for when the Dynamo FIFA pro competes in the upcoming eWorld Cup qualifiers.