EA Sports has delivered another nostalgic gem to EA FC25 Ultimate Team with the release of the Michael Owen On This Day Icon SBC, commemorating one of the English striker’s most memorable performances. This special 92-rated card celebrates Owen’s spectacular hat-trick against Newcastle United on May 5, 2001, a performance that showcased the blistering pace and clinical finishing that defined his career. Released during the Premier League Team of the Season promotion, this SBC offers players a chance to add a legendary English forward to their squads at a time when the game is flooded with high-rated current stars.
Despite its seemingly modest 92 overall rating, this Owen card packs a punch that rivals many of the TOTS cards currently available, making it a compelling option for Ultimate Team enthusiasts looking for a lethal striker who can compete at the highest levels of competition.
The timing of this release couldn’t be more perfect, as it provides players with an alternative to the often overpriced TOTS cards while still delivering elite-level performance. With 99 Pace, a five-star weak foot, and the coveted Low Driven+ PlayStyle, this version of Owen captures the essence of the player who terrorized Premier League defenses in his prime.
Whether you’re a Liverpool fan looking to recreate past glories, an England supporter wanting to build a Three Lions past-and-present squad, or simply a competitive player seeking a top-tier striker without breaking the bank, this SBC deserves serious consideration. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down all seven tasks required to unlock the Michael Owen On This Day Icon, provide the most cost-effective solutions for each segment, and analyze whether this SBC represents good value in the current Ultimate Team landscape.
Table of contents
EA FC25 SBC Requirements and Cheapest Solutions
The EA FC 25 Michael Owen On This Day Icon SBC requires completing seven separate squad-building challenges, similar in structure to other Icon SBCs released during this stage of the game cycle. While this might seem daunting at first glance, the requirements are relatively manageable compared to some of the higher-rated Icon SBCs we’ve seen this year. Here’s a breakdown of each task and the most cost-effective solutions:
The first task, “Born Legend,” requires submitting a full squad of rare bronze players. This is one of the most affordable segments, with players like Ellis Chapman, Andrei Gorcea, and Ben Doherty forming an inexpensive solution. The second task, “Rising Star,” follows a similar pattern but requires rare silver players instead. Budget options like Aapo Halme, Dave Gnaase, and Donovan Pines can help complete this segment without spending excessive coins.
The third challenge, “On a Loan,” increases the difficulty slightly by requiring a squad with a minimum 81 overall rating. Players like Patrik Schick, Hegering, and Callum Wilson provide good value while meeting the rating threshold. The fourth task, “The Three Lions,” introduces nation-specific requirements, asking for at least one English player and one TOTS or TOTW card in an 84-rated squad. Kieran Trippier satisfies the England requirement, while TOTW Laura Freigang offers an affordable special card option.
The difficulty ramps up significantly with the fifth task, “League Finesse,” which demands an 88-rated squad including at least one LaLiga player. High-rated cards like Kevin De Bruyne (90), Harry Kane (90), and Ada Hegerberg (89) form the backbone of this solution, with Iago Aspas fulfilling the LaLiga requirement. The sixth challenge, “League Legend,” follows a similar pattern but requires a Premier League player in an 89-rated squad. Harry Kane serves double duty here, providing both high rating and Premier League chemistry.
The final task, simply labeled “90-rated squad,” represents the most expensive challenge, requiring a team with a minimum 90 overall rating. Players like Rodri (91), Erling Haaland (91), and Sam Kerr (90) help meet this demanding threshold. While this segment requires significant investment, it’s balanced by the more affordable earlier tasks.
Overall, the SBC requires only one TOTS or TOTW player across all seven segments, making it more accessible than many comparable Icon SBCs. The total cost comes in at approximately 250,000 coins, which represents excellent value considering the card’s quality and the current market prices for similar performers.
Card Review and Value Assessment
The 92-rated Michael Owen On This Day Icon card delivers exceptional in-game performance that belies its overall rating. The standout attribute is undoubtedly his 99 Pace, which makes him one of the fastest strikers available in EA FC 25. In a meta where speed remains king, Owen’s ability to burst past defenders creates constant scoring opportunities, especially on counter-attacks and when playing against high defensive lines.
His shooting stats are equally impressive, with high ratings across all key metrics including Finishing, Shot Power, and Positioning. Combined with his five-star weak foot, Owen becomes a clinical finisher who can score consistently from either side, eliminating the predictability that plagues strikers with weaker off feet. This ambidexterity is particularly valuable in high-pressure situations where quick shooting opportunities must be converted without time to shift onto a preferred foot.
The Low Driven+ PlayStyle further enhances Owen’s finishing ability, providing a significant boost to one of the most effective shooting techniques in EA FC25. This premium PlayStyle allows him to place shots with precision into the bottom corners, making him deadly in one-on-one situations against goalkeepers.
While Owen’s physical stats aren’t exceptional, reflecting his real-life playing style as a nimble, technical striker rather than a target man, his Agility and Balance compensate by allowing him to navigate tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure. His dribbling feels responsive and direct, enabling quick changes of direction to create shooting angles.
At approximately 250,000 coins, this SBC represents outstanding value in the current market. Comparable strikers with similar pace, finishing ability, and five-star weak foot often cost significantly more, especially during the TOTS promotion when prices tend to be inflated. The fact that Owen links to any Premier League past or present players, as well as providing strong English chemistry, adds further value for squad-building flexibility.
Under the FC IQ system, which rewards intelligent movement and positioning, Owen excels as a striker who consistently makes dangerous runs behind defensive lines. His AI behavior mirrors his real-life playing style, finding pockets of space and timing runs to perfection. Whether used as a lone striker in a 4-3-3, paired with a more physical forward in a two-striker formation, or even as a wide attacker cutting inside, this Owen card delivers elite performance that can compete with cards costing twice as much or more.
For Ultimate Team players looking to add a legendary striker to their squad without depleting their coin balance during the expensive TOTS period, the EA FC 25 Michael Owen On This Day Icon SBC represents one of the best value-for-coin opportunities currently available.
EA FC 25 Michael Owen On This Day Icon SBC Requirements
Task Name | Key Requirements | Estimated Cost |
---|---|---|
Born Legend | 11 Rare Bronze players | 5,000 coins |
Rising Star | 11 Rare Silver players | 7,000 coins |
On a Loan | Min. 81 OVR | 10,000 coins |
The Three Lions | Min. 1 England player, 1 TOTS/TOTW, 84 OVR | 25,000 coins |
League Finesse | Min. 1 LaLiga player, 88 OVR | 60,000 coins |
League Legend | Min. 1 Premier League player, 89 OVR | 70,000 coins |
90-Rated Squad | Min. 90 OVR | 73,000 coins |
Total Cost | 250,000 coins |
Michael Owen On This Day Icon Key Stats
Attribute | Rating | Key Sub-Stats |
---|---|---|
Overall | 92 | Position: ST |
Pace | 99 | Acceleration: 99, Sprint Speed: 99 |
Shooting | 93 | Finishing: 95, Shot Power: 91 |
Passing | 80 | Short Passing: 85, Vision: 82 |
Dribbling | 90 | Agility: 92, Ball Control: 91 |
Physical | 75 | Stamina: 82, Strength: 72 |
Special | – | 5★ Weak Foot, Low Driven+ PlayStyle |
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FAQs
A1: Yes, at approximately 250,000 coins, this SBC offers exceptional value. The 92-rated card features 99 Pace, elite shooting stats, a five-star weak foot, and the valuable Low Driven+ PlayStyle. His performance rivals many TOTS strikers costing significantly more, making him one of the best value Icon SBCs released during this cycle.
A2: The On This Day version is significantly better than Owen’s Base and Mid Icons, offering improved pace, shooting, and the crucial five-star weak foot upgrade (his other versions have four-star). While his Prime and Moments cards have slightly better overall stats, they cost substantially more on the market. This special version captures the best elements of Owen’s game—blistering pace and clinical finishing—at a fraction of the price of his highest-rated cards.