1. I have same experience as Khris for your first question.

2. FA engine is the same as the engine for the other competitions, the feel of it being different is an illusion. I am in the current world #100 assoc as well (granted will be out of the top 100 in 1 hour so if you want proof, only one hour to get it ).

What's happening is the gaming meta changes from server to server. One server has defense - long - counter on as most common system. Another server level has a most common system of attack - short - trap on. Most teams in league are not flexible. But in association, we encounter teams from several different servers so we are playing against different systems than what we are used. If not flexible tactically, in a game against quality competition we will have problems.