ESPN Current SPI Ratings
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - December 9)
List also broken down by Confederation, Alphabetically, and according to FIFA rankings. more details | go to article

Luck Of Draw To U.S., Not SPI Powers
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - December 7)
My initial impressions of the eight groups as they were drawn in Cape Town today, as seen from a Soccer Power Index perspective: The teams that have the most to be thankful for are three in the second 10 -- the United States, Italy and Paraguay -- while the unluckiest teams were in the top 10, as No. 7 Portugal and No. 9 Ivory Coast drew No. 1 Brazil in this World Cup finals' "Group of Death." more details | go to article

A Guide To ESPN's SPI Ratings
by Nate Silver (Press Release | ESPN - December 7)
The SPI rating is designed to provide the best possible objective representation of a team's current overall skill level. In particular, the SPI ratings are intended to be forward-looking: They measure a team's relative likelihood of victory if a competitive match were to be held tomorrow. more details | go to article

Considering The 'Impact' Of The Draw
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - December 4)
There is arguably more on the line tomorrow than on any day of actual soccer competition. Based on the way Charlize Theron draws the pingpong balls in Cape Town, South Africa, the United States could have as much as a 63 percent chance of advancing to the knockout stages in next summer's World Cup -- or as little as a 25 percent chance. England could be anywhere from 94 percent to 69 percent. more details | go to article

Considering The 'Impact' Of The Draw
by Nate Silver (Preview | ESPN - December 3)
There is arguably more on the line tomorrow than on any day of actual soccer competition. Based on the way Charlize Theron draws the pingpong balls in Cape Town, South Africa, the United States could have as much as a 63 percent chance of advancing to the knockout stages in next summer's World Cup -- or as little as a 25 percent chance. England could be anywhere from 94 percent to 69 percent. more details | go to article

Soccer Power Index: FAQ
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - December 3)
What does the SPI rating represent? more details | go to article

Russia's Exit Not Entirely Shocking
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - November 18)
It would be a slight exaggeration to say Wednesday's playoff matches, which advanced six teams to South Africa and left six others on the sideline, will be the last meaningful soccer before June's World Cup. Friendlies are likely to be more competitive than usual, as teams seek to finalize lineups and achieve top form. more details | go to article

A Good First Weekend For SPI
by Nate Silver (Analysis | ESPN - November 16)
In its first full weekend of action, the Soccer Power Index had a rather good day. One of the teams it had highlighted as being underrated (Cameroon) advanced into the World Cup, while other favorites (Uruguay and Portugal) scored key goals to give themselves a leg up in their home-and-home playoff matches. Let's take a look at who has moved up and moved down significantly, based on their ratings, as a result of Saturday's competition. more details | go to article