Thanks for the replies, they are helpful.
1) Is this explained anywhere? The Game Manual is silent on the new effects as far as I can tell. The manual doesn't even explain the red, blue and green numbers on the schedule screen. I think they are referring to Enthusiasm, but how? And why are the green ones five digits?
The numbers on the schedule screen refer to the ranks of the teams in whatever competition the game is in. So, if you have a league match, it tells your place in the standings. If it's a cup match, it'll be your ranking in the USA. If it's a scrimmage, it'll be your ranking in the world.
That's more or less it as far as the numbers are concerned.
Blue and red have to do with the place in the standings for the Big 8 and Great 8. Green is world rank and black (I think it's black) is country rank.