June 2009

  • A Miracle = 1.71%

    David writes in a request: I was wondering if it would be possible for you retroactively to run simulations for the Confederations Cup before the last games were played in Group B. I realize how unlikely the U.S. advancing was, I’m just curious how many times it would have happened in your simulations. Was…

  • 11 Random People Dragged off the Street (Apparently) Cripple Popular American Website

    That’s as Bad as I’ve Seen the US Look in a Long Time In my case, that might be _ever_ since I didn’t follow the sport back in the 80s. Update on US Qualification chances: USA = What Difference Does It Make%

  • Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Iran and the Prisoners’ Dilemma

    Someone reading that title would be almost certain this is a political post, and not a post about Asian World Cup Qualifying. They’d, of course, be wrong. I’ll get to the update later on Thursday but a fascinating “life meets theory” moment evolved today when Saudi Arabia and North Korea came face to face…

  • New Jersey Boy Cripples Popular American Website

    Giuseppe Rossi has claimed yet another victim: the servers at Big Soccer. Is there no end to his treachery? 🙂

  • Road to South Africa 5

    Asia finishes its group stages in a couple of days and Africa plays more matches in a week, but the rest of the world waits until August (South America until September). An important note: Iran plays an absolutely critical World Cup qualifier at South Korea in their final Group Stage match.

  • Road to South Africa 4

    This weekend qualifiers are over, so let’s see how everyone is faring going into the midweek matches. The full qualification chances for every team can be found here. The National Team Ratings can be found here.