FIFA Soccer is a pretty remarkable translation of its big brother to Sony's portable system.
While concessions were made with regards to graphics, if you've played the PC version, you'll notice that the presentation, gameplay, and content are pretty much the same on the PSP. The PSP version has a lower frame rate, the models aren't as detailed, the crowd graphics appear static, but the animations, cut scenes, and replays all play out just like the PC version. John Motson and Ally McCoist's commentary is present in the game. The gameplay is also similar, adopting a control scheme to account for the lack of a second analog stick on the PSP, but most likely you won't be performing first touch and freestyle moves as often as in the PC version.
FIFA Soccer doesn't have FIFA 2005's career mode, but it does include some features not found in FIFA 2005. There are a series of 40 challenges, which place you in actual comeback and rout situations from the 2004 season, and you have to score at least a predetermined number of goals in the remaining time to recreate what happened in reality. A wide variety of games from different leagues are represented in this mode, and the challenges get tougher, as the number of goals needed increases, or the time remaining decreases. FIFA Soccer now also includes a proper season mode, and you'll be able to choose from the many leagues included in the game. In addition to starting a brand new season, the game also allows you to start at the midpoint of the 2004-2005 season based on actual records.
The tournament mode is where you'll be able to play the various cups and also create your own custom tournament. FIFA Soccer also supports ad-hoc multiplayer with two PSPs, and this works pretty well.
As in FIFA 2005, you can earn points by accomplishing in game achievements or completing the challenges and winning the leagues and cups to purchase unlockables at the FIFA Soccer store. The unlockables include different match balls, alternate kits, night versions of stadiums, and additional music tracks. EA Pocket Trax is where you can access the soundtrack, which includes many of the songs found in FIFA 2005.
At times the game is choppy and the frame rate is never really ideal, but the spirit of the PC version survives the transition to the PSP. The similarities between the two versions are striking, and overall, FIFA Soccer for the PSP is a solid handheld version of the game.