What if We Designed Soccer from Scratch?
Soccer is broken. Not the kicking-of-the-ball-can’t-use-your-hands part; that’s beautiful, always has been. Ok, maybe not always; early versions of soccer were brutal and ugly, an expression of pent-up male anxiety in a culture that that frowned upon self-expression, masturbation, etc. Um, where was I? Oh yeah, the sport of soccer is as healthy as ever, but the professional infrastructure around it feels like it could fall apart at any moment. How might we fix it? That’s the subject of my latest ESPN column:
Have great weekends, all.
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Who Are the Most Important Players in the Premier League?
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
My latest column for ESPN is up. I continued my crusade in support of the idea that “soccer teams win soccer games because of the quality of their soccer players”. In this one, I identified the Premier
I Talked to the Theoretical Physicist Who Helped Save Liverpool
Friday, November 10, 2023
I finally got in touch with Liverpool's former Head of Research, Ian Graham. We talked about how the club used his and his team's data to win every possible trophy, how the rest of the sport is
Why You Don't Want Another Erling Haaland
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
My latest column for ESPN is up. Inspired by a recent conversation, I tried to identify European soccer's “triple threats”: The other day, I spoke to someone who helped build a team that won the
Why Every Team Would Be Better With Harry Kane
Friday, November 3, 2023
Ahead of Saturday's Der Klassiker between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, I wrote about Harry Kane, who might be better than ever before: Tottenham are not better because they're without
The Premier League, Ranked, Vol. 3
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
The third edition of the Premier League power rankings I do with my buddy Bill Connelly just went up on ol' ESPN dot com. Here's a tidbit, of me on Spurs: That said, Spurs are not this good. No
Friday, December 8, 2023
Fri, Dec 8th, 2023 The Opening Tip LeBron is timeless Two current losing streaks are flirting with history Chuck spent last night's TV coverage roasting everyone 1. He's Here, He's Perfect
Friday, December 8, 2023
Lakers, Pacers in IST Final. Rahm Goes Rogue. Patriots Upset. MLS Cup, Heisman & The Weekend...
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Luka, Embiid, Bane & Banchero Go Off on Big Night. Yankees Add Soto. Heisman Finalists & More...
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Tyrese Haliburton at The Singularity, a Zion Williamson interregnum, another Giannis triump and LeBron's war on time itself.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
NBA In-Season Tournament Final 4. NFL Power Rankings Week 14. MLB Winter Meetings & More...
The 20 Most Valuable Player in the Premier League
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
I have access to a new stat: expected possession value. I would call it “xPV” but then I remembered how my buddy Donnie made fun of me because every stat I cited sounded like an STD. Anyway, I wrote
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Jags Lose MNF & QB Trevor Lawrence. Pacers & Pels Advance in NBA IST. Polls, Heisman & More...
Chicken soup for the sports lover’s soul
Monday, December 4, 2023
Cozy winter vibes
Monday, December 4, 2023
CFB Playoff After Wild Champ Weekend. NFL Week 13, MLS Semis, Purdue Falls & More...
Sunday Scroll: Breaking the rules never looked so good
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Getting into good trouble