Richard Wigglesworth has been promoted to head coach Steve Borthwick's number two in the latest change to England's coaching set-up.

Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth, 41, remains in charge of the team's attack, but now will collaborate with Borthwick on England's overall gameplan and managing the rest of the coaching group.

"Richard's deep knowledge of the game and his excellent tactical understanding means he has become a key figure in our coaching team," said Borthwick.

"He shares our emotional commitment to English rugby, and I am certain he will play a crucial role in driving the standards of this England team."

Wigglesworth said: "This is an exciting time for England rugby. Steve has created a coaching environment based on collaboration and hard work, and we are constantly evolving and growing and striving for success."

Wigglesworth, who played 33 times for England, was brought into the England camp by Borthwick after the pair worked together when Leicester Tigers won the Premiership in 2022.

England hired Oyonnax's Joe El-Abd as defence coach in September after Felix Jones resigned from the post after seven months.

Kevin Sinfield, who was set to leave earlier this year, has agreed to remain on reduced hours in a role overseeing skills, kicking and the mentoring of players.

Irishman Jones is working remotely to provide tactical analysis while being held to his 12-month notice period.

England take on New Zealand on 2 November before continuing their autumn campaign against Australia, South Africa and Japan.

England's coaching staff:

Steve Borthwick - head coach

Richard Wigglesworth - senior assistant coach (attack)

Joe El-Abd - assistant coach (defence)

Tom Harrison - assistant coach (scrum)

Kevin Sinfield - assistant coach (skills & kicking)

Andrew Strawbridge - assistant coach & coaching advisor

The French Rugby Federation, National Rugby League and Provale have expressed "firm opposition" to the proposed 20-minute red card, saying it is an "unacceptable step backwards" by World Rugby.

In 2024, the Rugby Championship and World Rugby's Under-20 Championship in South Africa trialled the new law for the first time, external, meaning a team is able to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes in the sin-bin.

This month World Ruby announced "successful initial trials", external were passed, leading to support for further elite-game trialling.

In a joint statement, the three French governing bodies say the "data collected remains insufficient" to go through with the proposal.

"Statistics provided by the FFR [French Rugby Federation] to World Rugby show that a red card does not systematically mean defeat for the penalised team," the statement said.

"Indeed, the analysis based on 480 Top 14 matches and Tier 1 international matches shows that only 60% of the teams receiving a red card lost at the end of the match."

Last year more than 300 former football, rugby league and rugby union players in the United Kingdom took legal action over brain injuries they claim to have sustained during their playing careers.

The statement adds that the current red card is "a crucial tool" to deter "unsportsmanlike behaviour", without it the sport faces an "unacceptable step backwards on the measures put in place over the last few years to reduce head impacts".

Furthermore, the law would "encourage more aggressive play", which would negatively impact "the image of the game".

The last men's and women's Rugby World Cup finals ended with one team having 14 players on the field for the majority of the game.

On the decision to trail the 20-minute red card, World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said in May that rugby's disciplinary process needed "streamlining to be simpler for players and fans to understand".

"This is a trial, and it is important to remember that the ability to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes is coupled with sanctions that are strong, clear and will not be mitigated down," Beaumont added.

The FFR says it will speak out against the law's entry at the meeting of the World Rugby Council on 14 November.

If approved, World Rugby will work with member unions, competition owners and key stakeholders to finalise the timeline and processes for trial adoption, with implementation from 1 January.

"We call on World Rugby to reconsider this experiment, ensuring that any decision is based on concrete and convincing data, which is not the case today," vice-president of the FFR Jean-Marc Lhermet added.

BBC Sport contacted World Rugby for comment.

Gabriel Ibitoye's rugby pathway has taken the road less travelled.

In 2018, Eddie Jones called him up to an England senior squad as a teenage apprentice, but a little more than three years later he had signed up to Tel Aviv Heat, a globe-trotting mix of out-of-favour overseas stars and local Israeli players.

Finally at Bristol Bears, the Londoner seems to be nearing the destination his promise indicated.

For three-quarters of their game at Exeter, the 26-year-old had been overshadowed by his opposing wings. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe, the Chiefs' double-barrelled dual threat, had scored two tries apiece and given the hosts a 20-point lead after an hour.

But Ibitoye's dizzying nine-minute hat-trick all red-line, top-end speed to finish off openings created by AJ MacGinty, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Harry Randall flipped the match on its head.

Last season Ibitoye made more metres (1,432), threw more offloads (30) and beat more defenders (75) than any other player in the Premiership's regular season. He topped all those categories by a distance.

He was also joint top for line breaks with Northampton's Tommy Freeman - all while playing for a team that finished fifth.

Ugo Monye, speaking on Rugby Union Weekly last week, suggested international rugby might rein in what makes Ibitoye special.

Bristol boss Pat Lam, though, backed his man to finally make the step up.

"I believe he's good enough to play at the next level," he said.

"His fundamentals as a winger are great, and then on top of that, we get the Gabriel Ibitoye who's brilliant. He's one of the fittest guys, he's electric, but it's about him staying in the game and he's done that very well."

England announce their squad for the autumn internationals on Wednesday.

The Florida Panthers will be without forward Matthew Tkachuk for about a week due to illness, the team announced Monday.

The team is targeting Oct. 22 as the return date for the 26-year-old veteran.

Tkachuk, who did not play in Saturday's loss to the Buffalo Sabres, has recorded two assists in two games this season.

The Panthers have games this week against the Bruins, Blue Jackets, Canucks and Golden Knights before hosting the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 22.

The two-time All-Star and 2024 Stanley Cup winner has 581 points (218 goals, 363 assists) in 592 games with the Calgary Flames (2016-22) and Panthers.

Hockey is the ultimate team sport, and just because a team has the greatest player in the world doesn't guarantee it will win a championship. Of course, if a team has two of the top players in the world, it can come awfully close, as the Edmonton Oilers showed last season in getting to one win short of a Stanley Cup.

Spoiler alert: Connor McDavid topped our ranking of the top 100 NHL players for 2024-25, just as he did for 2023-24 and 2022-22 and 2021-22 and ... you get it. But where does Leon Draisaitl rank? And what about Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk from the Florida Panthers squad that beat the Oilers in the Cup Final?

We asked a panel of more than 50 ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be in the 2024-25 season compared with their peers. Emphasis was placed on their value for this coming season, which explains why players who are currently out injured (but are expected to return) might be lower than if they were completely healthy.

Write-ups are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton, Greg Wyshynski and editorial staff.

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100. Tyler Toffoli, RW, San Jose Sharks

2023-24 rank: 65
Age: 32

One of the veterans brought in to help the rebuild along, Toffoli finished 2023-24 with 33 goals split between the Devils and Jets. -- ESPN staff

99. Ryan O'Reilly, C, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 99
Age: 33

While the Predators' additions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault got all the attention this summer, O'Reilly might be even more vital to their climb to a higher echelon of Cup contenders. An elite two-way center. -- ESPN staff

98. Seth Jones, D, Chicago Blackhawks

2023-24 rank: 52
Age: 30

Connor Bedard's rookie season was a tough one for the Blackhawks in the standings, but Jones' underlying numbers weren't horrible in a relative sense. Will the 30-year-old remain on the roster during the rebuild, or be traded for picks and prospects at the deadline? -- ESPN staff

97. Hampus Lindholm, D, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: 43
Age: 30

Lindholm's breakout 53-point campaign in 2022-23 was followed by a step back in 2023-24 (26 points). Which direction will the 30-year-old Swede head this season? -- ESPN staff

96. Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes

2023-24 rank: 79
Age: 30

One of the NHL's premier defensive defensemen -- and literally its "most gentlemanly" in 2023-24, as he was awarded the Lady Byng Trophy. His play will be even more critical this season, as the Hurricanes lost multiple blueliners to free agency this summer. -- ESPN staff

95. Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues

2023-24 rank: 89
Age: 25

The 25-year-old's ascendancy continued in 2023-24, eclipsing a point-per-game pace for the first time (86 in 82). Thomas will continue to be vital as the Blues push for a playoff return. -- ESPN staff

94. Vince Dunn, D, Seattle Kraken

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28

Dunn missed a chunk of the 2023-24 season -- perhaps part of the reason the Kraken missed the playoffs. The 28-year-old is still improving and will continue to play a key role on even strength and on the power play. -- ESPN staff

93. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Utah Hockey Club

2023-24 rank: 53
Age: 26

A devastating leg injury kept Sergachev out for months last season, but an offseason trade to Utah was perhaps more jarring. He'll be a critical component of how far the UHC goes in its inaugural campaign. -- ESPN staff

92. Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 21

After a rookie campaign for which he was a Calder Trophy finalist, Hughes made the cover of EA Sports NHL 25 with brothers Quinn and Jack. He'll play a key role in the Devils' short- and long-term aspirations. -- ESPN staff

91. Alex Pietrangelo, D, Vegas Golden Knights

2023-24 rank: 84
Age: 34

One of the more reliable blueliners in the Western Conference, the 34-year-old continues to play at a high level, scoring 33 points and averaging 23:33 of ice time per game last season. -- ESPN staff

90. Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28

If the Panthers made a poster of their "bad boys" from the 2024 playoff run, Bennett would be prominently featured -- and might be Public Enemy No. 1 in Boston. -- ESPN staff

89. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 38

As his 19th NHL season begins, Malkin is just a bit off his dominant production pace of earlier in his career. But he remains a force at even strength and on the power play for a Penguins team that is hoping for one last epic playoff run with the current core of veterans. -- ESPN staff

88. Alex DeBrincat, LW, Detroit Red Wings

2023-24 rank: 66
Age: 26

DeBrincat is a dynamic, scoring winger, the author of two-straight 27-goal campaigns. Can he get back to the 40-goal level he reached twice earlier in his career? -- ESPN staff

87. Connor Ingram, G, Utah Hockey Club

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 27

A late bloomer, Ingram backstopped a scrappy Coyotes team last season. As with the rest of the team, Ingram's stats took a hit after rumors of their relocation circulated. Now in Utah, expect him to serve as a solid backstop for UHC's playoff contention this season. -- ESPN staff

86. Lucas Raymond, RW, Detroit Red Wings

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 22

The fourth overall pick in the 2020 draft, Raymond has proved up to that pedigree, playing an increasingly important role for Detroit. And he'll be doing it for a while longer, having signed an eight-year, $64.6 million contract this offseason. -- ESPN staff

85. Adrian Kempe, C, Los Angeles Kings

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28

Kempe's rise has been a slow and steady one, and the 28-year-old was close to a point-per-game pace in 2023-24 (75 in 77 games). He's a key player as the Kings push to get beyond the first round of the playoffs this season. -- ESPN staff

84. MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 30

The "other guy" in the trade that swapped Matthew Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau in 2022, Weegar has emerged as a dynamic player in his own right. That includes a 52-point 2023-24 season for a Calgary team in flux. -- ESPN staff

83. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: 97
Age: 36

Bobrovsky might be off of his Vezina Trophy-winning peak, but the veteran proved that he can still come up clutch in the playoffs. Now with his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, the legend of "Playoff Bob" continues to grow. -- ESPN staff

82. Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche

2023-24 rank: 75
Age: 30

Much more than just Cale Makar's sidekick, Toews has proved to be a critical part of the Avs' success in recent seasons, playing both special teams along with his considerable even-strength minutes. -- ESPN staff

81. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-24 rank: 93
Age: 34

He's not the point-per-game player he once was, but the veteran center remains a key contributor on even strength and the power play for Toronto. -- ESPN staff

80. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 23

Last season -- and particularly the playoffs -- put the NHL on notice that the No. 1 pick from 2020 is everything the Rangers saw in him at that draft position. Watch out. -- ESPN staff

79. Jesper Bratt, LW, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: 81
Age: 26

Although the Devils as a team took a significant step back last season, Bratt continued to produce: His 83 points were a career high, and the 26-year-old's ascension to the next level of stardom may be just getting started. -- ESPN staff

78. Zach Hyman, LW, Edmonton Oilers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 32

Hyman exploded for 54 goals in 2023-24, skating on a line with Connor McDavid and playing a key role on the Oilers' power play as well. Does he hit the 50-goal mark again this season? -- ESPN staff

77. Tomas Hertl, C, Vegas Golden Knights

2023-24 rank: 100
Age: 30

Hertl being traded from San Jose to Vegas on deadline day last season was one of the most shocking swaps in recent history. How high can he climb now that he's back on a contender? -- ESPN staff

76. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edmonton Oilers

2023-24 rank: 68
Age: 31

Ranking 19th in the NHL in scoring the past three seasons in total, Nugent-Hopkins is the longest-tenured member of an Oilers team that many believe is the best bet to win the Stanley Cup this spring. -- ESPN staff

75. Brandon Montour, D, Seattle Kraken

2023-24 rank: 87
Age: 30

After bouncing around a few teams earlier in his career, Montour broke out the past two seasons with the Panthers. The 30-year-old parlayed that into a seven-year, $50 million deal with the Kraken, a team that hopes he can get them back into the playoff mix. -- ESPN staff

74. Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

2023-24 rank: 64
Age: 27

If it's possible for a defenseman to score a quiet 57 points in 70 games, that's precisely what Werenski did in 2023-24. The No. 8 pick from 2015 continues to be one of the more reliable defensemen in the league when healthy. -- ESPN staff

73. Linus Ullmark, G, Ottawa Senators

2023-24 rank: 47
Age: 31

Ullmark is in a very different place than one year ago at this time, no longer part of a goaltending battery with Jeremy Swayman in Boston. Can he shine in a new situation? -- ESPN staff

72. Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 34

After a long-rumored trade finally came to fruition in June, Markstrom takes over a dangerous Devils team that needed a significant goaltending boost. Can he recapture his past Vezina Trophy-caliber form? -- ESPN staff

71. Tim Stutzle, LW, Ottawa Senators

2023-24 rank: 21
Age: 22

After 90 points in 2022-23, Stutzle looked poised for superstardom. Unfortunately, a 17.1% shooting percentage proved unsustainable, and the goals dried up, going from 39 to 18 last season. In which direction will he go in 2024-25? -- ESPN staff

70. Jonathan Marchessault, LW, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 59
Age: 33

The Golden Knights walked away from Marchessault, who had starred with the team since it entered the league. The feisty forward takes his talents to Nashville, who hopes that his 42-goal season wasn't a contract year aberration. -- Wyshynski

69. Mika Zibanejad, C, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: 42
Age: 31

Zibanejad has helped power the Rangers' potent power play, with 32 goals and 38 assists on the man advantage over the past two seasons. -- Wyshynski

68. Timo Meier, RW, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: 58
Age: 28

A big body with a ton of skill, Meier is expected to play a critical role in the Devils' turnaround this season. -- Wyshynski

67. Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 33

Kreider is a rare talent in the NHL: a power forward with blazing speed who is extremely good around the opponents' net while also being an excellent penalty killer. -- Wyshynski

66. Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 21

The Stars keep developing homegrown talent. That includes Johnston, who has been a crucial contributor as they seek a third straight conference finals appearance. -- Clark

65. Carter Verhaeghe, C, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 29

Verhaeghe is one of the NHL's most productive forwards in the regular season who becomes one of league's most clutch performers in the postseason, to the tune of 53 points in 61 career playoff games with the Panthers. -- Wyshynski

64. Tage Thompson, C, Buffalo Sabres

2023-24 rank: 44
Age: 26

Don't let the injury-impacted 2023-24 season fool you: Thompson is still that guy who popped for 47 goals and 47 assists two years ago for the Sabres. -- Wyshynski

63. Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: 31
Age: 25

Hischier has established himself as one of the league's best defensive centers, and he has plenty of offensive upside in the middle for the Devils. -- Wyshynski

62. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

2023-24 rank: 37
Age: 39

Ovechkin needs 42 goals to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record. He has lost a step and didn't look like himself at all in the postseason, but give him the puck and space to shoot, and watch the "Russian Machine" operate. -- Wyshynski

61. Elias Lindholm, C, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: 62
Age: 29

Considered one of the better two-way centers in the NHL, Lindholm should thrive playing alongside David Pastrnak after signing with the Bruins in the offseason. -- Wyshynski

60. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders

2023-24 rank: 30
Age: 29

Sorokin had his worst season statistically in 2023-24, which still put him well above league average in save percentage (.908). When he's on, few goaltenders can match his ability to take over games. -- Wyshynski

59. Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings

2023-24 rank: 78
Age: 23

Detroit handed Seider a rich contract extension after having emerged as their next franchise defenseman in his first three NHL seasons. -- Wyshynski

58. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets

2023-24 rank: 69
Age: 27

Connor is never going to contend for the Selke Trophy, but so what? The guy fills the net every season, including having the 12th highest goals per game rate in the NHL last season (min. 60 games). -- Wyshynski

57. Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets

2023-24 rank: 72
Age: 31

While his goal-scoring took a tumble last season, Scheifele has been a consistent top-line offensive force for the Jets over the past 14 seasons. -- Wyshynski

56. Gustav Forsling, D, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28

Forsling's fellow NHLers are apt to call him the league's most underrated player, and for good reason. It's hard to fully appreciate everything Forsling brings to Florida's top pairing, from his 5-on-5 execution to penalty killing excellence. -- Shilton

55. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings

2023-24 rank: 45
Age: 37

A two-time Selke Trophy winner, Kopitar continues to be a two-way metronome for a Kings roster that's looking to get out of the first round for the first time in a decade. -- Clark

54. Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: 49
Age: 31

Hamilton's value was underscored by how much the Devils missed him last season due to injury, as the smooth-skating and deft-passing defenseman is a calming presence. -- Wyshynski

53. Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 22

Faber played like he was a 10-year veteran during his rookie NHL season, posting 47 points and acting as a steadying presence for the Wild defense corps. -- Wyshynski

52. Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks

2023-24 rank: 80
Age: 28

Before the injury last season, Demko was one of the serious favorites for the Vezina Trophy as his performances led the Canucks to finishing with more than 100 points. -- Clark

51. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks

2023-24 rank: 82
Age: 27

It was never a question of if Boeser could score, but what it would look like if he was healthy for a full season. The result was his first 40-goal campaign. -- Clark

50. Clayton Keller, C, Utah Hockey Club

2023-24 rank: 55
Age: 26

Now that Keller & Co. have swapped Tempe for Salt Lake City, there's a thought that they could possibly challenge for a playoff spot in their first season. -- Clark

49. Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings

2023-24 rank: 54
Age: 28

Larkin tallied three straight 30-goal seasons as the Red Wings' top center, including 33 goals in 68 games last season. -- Wyshynski

48. Brad Marchand, LW, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: 35
Age: 36

Marchand's first season playing without Patrice Bergeron saw him wear the "C" with pride, and continue to post big offensive numbers for the Bruins. -- Wyshynski

47. Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 25

Another new face in the Top 100, Swayman's performances last season showed he could be a No. 1 goaltender who could also get paid like one, too. -- Clark

46. Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 24

Dobson is no longer the best offensive defenseman no one's talking about, as his 70-point season caught the attention of the rest of the NHL. -- Wyshynski

45. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

2023-24 rank: 88
Age: 19

Labeled as the NHL's next great superstar, Bedard used his rookie year to lead the Blackhawks in goals, assists and points while winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. -- Clark

44. Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 24

Everything he did during his breakout last season -- finishing with 82 regular-season points and 32 playoff points -- drove Bouchard to make his Top 100 debut. -- Clark

43. Josh Morrissey, D, Winnipeg Jets

2023-24 rank: 63
Age: 29

Morrissey showed that his offensive breakthrough in 2022-23 wasn't an aberration, tallying 69 points in 81 games last season with the Jets. -- Wyshynski

42. Mathew Barzal, C, New York Islanders

2023-24 rank: 91
Age: 27

Barzal's dynamic offensive game produced his first point-per-game season since winning rookie of the year in 2017-18. -- Wyshynski

41. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: 25
Age: 26

McAvoy is another example of why teams continue to seek defensemen who can do everything -- with the reality that a strong offensive season in 2024-25 could give him a good shot at his first Norris Trophy. -- Clark

40. Steven Stamkos, C, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 33
Age: 34

Few players have more to prove than Stamkos, whom the Lightning didn't re-sign despite a 40-goal season and his place as a franchise icon. -- Wyshynski

39. Roope Hintz, C, Dallas Stars

2023-24 rank: 36
Age: 27

Hintz is one of those two-way centers who has shown over the past few years that he can create and score goals just as effectively as he can prevent them. -- Clark

38. Adam Fox, D, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: 13
Age: 26

Fox won the Norris Trophy in 2020-21 and has finished in the top five for the award in four of his five compete NHL seasons. -- Wyshynski

37. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres

2023-24 rank: 26
Age: 24

A 20-goal scorer last season, the new Sabres captain is looking to take his individual success and parlay it into the Sabres ending a 13-year playoff drought. -- Clark

36. Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 51
Age: 29

Saros was rewarded with a new eight-year contract as the Predators' franchise goalie, having led the NHL in games played for three straight seasons. -- Wyshynski

35. Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars

2023-24 rank: 12
Age: 25

Creativity and confidence are what drives Robertson's scoring attack -- and it's a successful one. The Stars' playmaker is a threat all over the ice and constantly finds new ways to pump in pucks. -- Shilton

34. Filip Forsberg, LW, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 50
Age: 30

As if having the best mustache in the NHL weren't enough, Forsberg is coming off his best offensive season, with a career-high 48 goals. -- Wyshynski

33. Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars

2023-24 rank: 34
Age: 25

At 6-5, Oettinger is the prototypical size for an NHL goaltender. He has 30 or more wins in three straight seasons, continuing to make the Stars a legitimate Stanley Cup challenger. -- Clark

32. William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-24 rank: 40
Age: 28

There's versatility to Nylander's game -- it's what drives his dynamic scoring prowess and why the Leafs are determined to see the always-exciting winger succeed at center, too. -- Shilton

31. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

2023-24 rank: 14
Age: 31

The reigning two-time Vezina Trophy winner entered the 2024-25 season just 25 wins shy of becoming just the seventh American goalie to reach 300 career victories. -- Clark

30. Sam Reinhart, C, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28

Reinhart's days flying under the radar are long gone after a 57-goal season that catapulted him to upper-echelon status among NHL scorers -- and he's not looking to go anywhere. -- Shilton

29. Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights

2023-24 rank: 38
Age: 32

Stone is as steady as they come, and that's a real superpower. Dependable scorer, responsible defensively and not afraid to go in the corners. Basically, the total package. -- Shilton

28. J.T. Miller, C, Vancouver Canucks

2023-24 rank: 95
Age: 31

Coming to Vancouver has seen Miller go from a top-nine option to a trusted forward in a leading role. He's coming off the first 100-point season in his career as the Canucks look to build on last season's division title. -- Clark

27. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

2023-24 rank: 57
Age: 30

As more teams shift to using goaltending tandems, the seven-time 30-game winner continues to be one of the few netminders who can be trusted to play more than 60 games in a season. -- Clark

26. Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: 28
Age: 28

The Rangers' unequivocal backbone is their Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender, whose elite performances -- particularly in the postseason -- showcase the best of his quick instincts and exceptional lateral movement in the crease. -- Shilton

25. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators

2023-24 rank: 19
Age: 25

There's a brilliant balance of physicality and skill in Tkachuk's repertoire, not to mention a passion that's revealed nightly in his energetic -- and sometimes crushing -- interactions with opponents. -- Shilton

24. Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks

2023-24 rank: 16
Age: 25

A wizard with the puck and solid in his own end, Pettersson is looking to get back to the 100-point mark he broke through two seasons ago for the Canucks. -- Wyshynski

23. Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

2023-24 rank: 18
Age: 33

A six-time Norris Trophy finalist, the hulking generational defenseman takes over as captain of a Lightning roster that's now entering a new era with Steven Stamkos in Nashville. -- Clark

22. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars

2023-24 rank: 29
Age: 25

Heiskanen's profile continues to ascend, with two straight seasons of more than 50 points for a Stars team that will mount as serious a Stanley Cup challenge as any in the West. -- Clark

21. Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

2023-24 rank: 24
Age: 28

It is said that hanging with high-end talent is a talent in itself. Point has thrived next to Nikita Kucherov in Tampa Bay, and now he has Jake Guentzel on his wing this season. -- Wyshynski

20. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators

2023-24 rank: 27
Age: 34

Being a No. 1 defensemen in the NHL means being adaptable to any situation. Josi is just that as the 2020 Norris Trophy winner has consistently proved he can be asked to play a crucial part in 5-on-5, power-play and short-handed situations. -- Clark

19. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes

2023-24 rank: 22
Age: 27

Aho's nickname has evolved over the years, going from "Sea Bass" to just "Fishy" these days. What hasn't changed is Aho as one of the best two-way centers in the NHL, with three straight 30-goal campaigns. -- Wyshynski

18. Jake Guentzel, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

2023-24 rank: 71
Age: 30

Guentzel's three consecutive 30-plus goal seasons are no fluke, coming from one of the most preeminent net-front scorers in the league. It's little wonder Tampa Bay went all-in on adding that potency to their lineup. -- Shilton

17. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild

2023-24 rank: 17
Age: 27

"Kirill the Thrill" has the sixth-most goals in the NHL since 2021-22 (133), topping the 40-goal mark in three straight seasons for the Wild. -- Wyshynski

16. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights

2023-24 rank: 9
Age: 28

Vegas' top-line center can put on a playmaking masterclass for the Golden Knights while wielding a sharply evolved two-way game. And Eichel elevates everyone around him in the process, too. -- Shilton

15. Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils

2023-24 rank: 4
Age: 23

Long considered to be one of the game's next great superstars, the middle brother of the Hughes trio has shown he's more than capable of being a top-line center. An injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign saw him finish with 27 goals and 74 points in 62 games. A healthy Hughes could get the Devils back into the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. -- Clark

14. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-24 rank: 20
Age: 27

Marner's reputation as one of the NHL's premier playmakers has been well earned. But the Leafs' top-line winger is a powerful goal-scoring threat, too, with four consecutive 20-plus goal campaigns under his belt. -- Shilton

13. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

2023-24 rank: 23
Age: 37

At 37 years old, Crosby is still a dominant offensive force, with 42 goals last season, doing all he can to pry open the Penguins' Cup contention window. -- Wyshynski

12. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks

2023-24 rank: 60
Age: 25

The past 12 months saw Hughes command more attention, and with good reason. He went from being named captain of the Canucks to helping them come within a win of reaching the Western Conference finals. And for all his contributions, Hughes won the Norris Trophy. This was a big summer for him personally, as he and his two brothers, Luke and Jack, are the NHL 25 cover athletes. -- Clark

11. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins

2023-24 rank: 10
Age: 28

When Pasta cooks, goals happen. The Bruins winger is second in the NHL in goals over the past four seasons, including 47 goals and 110 points last season. -- Wyshynski

10. Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: 15
Age: 29

For years, Barkov was the easy answer to the question of "Who is the NHL's most underrated player?" As the Panthers have risen to national prominence, it's allowed more people to see what makes the two-way center one of the game's most complete players, one who captained the team to the Stanley Cup in 2024. -- Clark

9. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

2023-24 rank: 6
Age: 29

Draisaitl is constantly finding ways to elevate his own game -- and that lifts everyone around him. Equal parts playmaker (with five 100-plus-point efforts in the past six seasons) and goal scorer (he's good for 40-plus most seasons), Draisaitl is a uniquely elite talent. -- Shilton

8. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Colorado Avalanche

2023-24 rank: 7
Age: 28

Having Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar simply isn't enough for the Avs. Rantanen is a 6-4 winger who has authored five seasons of more than 30 goals, and as many seasons of more than 50 assists. As of now, he's also the clear top player on the 2025 NHL free agency list. -- Clark

7. Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers

2023-24 rank: 32
Age: 32

It's one thing to hit career highs in goals (49) and points (120) like Panarin did last season. But to reach those milestones at 32 -- and in his ninth NHL season? Panarin seems to be getting better with age. -- Shilton

6. Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-24 rank: 5
Age: 27

Matthews is already a three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the league's top goal scorer, and continues to improve as one of the league's dominant two-way centers. He has long been setting a high standard in Toronto on multiple levels -- and now there's a "C" on his sweater to prove it -- Shilton

5. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

2023-24 rank: 11
Age: 26

The talented, tenacious and always entertaining Tkachuk is a true individual. He's an elite-level pest for the Panthers, balancing hard-nosed hockey with prolific offensive ability -- Shilton

4. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

2023-24 rank: 2
Age: 25

Young, puck-moving defensemen have become a necessity in today's NHL. Players such as Makar, who won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2022, are why. His ability to control a game in 5-on-5 situations and the power play have become pivotal to the Avs' ability to control games since he made his debut back in 2018. -- Clark

3. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

2023-24 rank: 3
Age: 29

The reigning Hart Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player is looking to build on what was his strongest individual campaign. MacKinnon's ability to use his size, speed and strength not only makes him one of the NHL's biggest threats, but one that could help his team win its second Stanley Cup since 2022. -- Clark

2. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

2023-24 rank: 8
Age: 31

Kucherov rewrote the Lightning record book last season with a career-best 144 points, becoming the fifth player in NHL history to tally 100 assists in a season. From a point-production standpoint over the past decade, only one player has done it better than Kucherov. -- Wyshynski

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

2023-24 rank: 1
Age: 27

The best hockey player in the world was one win away from a singular achievement in sports history as he carried the Oilers back from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final. Statistically, no one can touch him: McDavid is more than 120 points clear of the next-highest scorer over the past 10 seasons. It's just a matter of time before that mastery manifests into a championship. -- Wyshynski

Nigeria have pulled out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Monday, according to their captain William Troost-Ekong and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in protest at their flight to the country being diverted before players and staff were abandoned for hours in an airport far from the match venue.

The Super Eagles were due to play hosts Libya in the city of Benghazi, where they hoped to seal a qualification berth for the finals in Morocco late next year.

But after being stranded for more than 16 hours at an airport 250 km (155 miles) away from their intended destination, the Nigeria players said they will not fulfil the fixture and the NFF issued a statement.

"The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday's 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya still remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya," the statement said.

"The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.

"Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.

"Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home."

Troost-Ekong said on X: "As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game. Apparently our plane is being fueled as we speak and we should be leaving to Nigeria shortly."

CAF said in a statement that they had been in contact with both countries' football federations and that the "matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations."

The Libyan Football Federation said the incident was not deliberate and urged Nigeria to be understanding.

"We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional," it said, adding that disruptions can occur from routine air traffic protocols, security checks or other logistical challenges.

"We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill."

Nigeria striker Victor Boniface complained he had been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, WiFi or place to sleep. "Africa, we can do better," he said on X.

It is unclear what will happen to the points from the game with the matter likely to be referred to CAF's Disciplinary Board.

Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Uyo on Friday thanks to a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, taking them to seven points from three games in their group.

Benin have six points, Rwanda two and Libya one. The top two teams in each group advance to the 24-team finals.

Information from ESPN's Colin Udoh contributed to this report.

BRUSSELS -- European football chiefs and the global players' union, FIFPRO, united on Monday to criticise FIFA over the global football calendar as they filed an antitrust complaint against the global football governing body.

FIFPRO and the European Leagues, which represents 37 domestic leagues, jointly filed the complaint at the European Commission in Brussels in which they argue global football's governing body FIFA is abusing its right as both tournament organiser and regulator.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said Monday has been "one of the most important days in football" and compared the case to that against the failed European Super League, while Premier League boss Richard Masters said in a statement that football has reached a "tipping point."

LaLiga is not a member of the European Leagues but it is a part of Monday's complaint.

FIFA declined to comment at this stage when approached by ESPN.

FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers, said it has tried to negotiate the issue with FIFA but said the governing body has "consistently refused" to consult them. It has also described FIFA's intention to host its expanded Club World Cup competition in the United States this summer as a step too far.

However, a source told ESPN this summer's competition is unlikely to be impacted given the short amount of time before it takes place.

"Today is one of the most important days in football," Tebas said.

"For me, there's been two historical days in football. One in 2019 when we stopped a reform of the Super League and today we've given a very important step in what we believe is the path of changing the governance of football institutions and we're not going to let this opportunity get away."

Player workload been a hot topic in football over recent seasons, with players and coaches repeatedly urging organisers to condense the schedule and allow players more rest. Last month, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said players are "close" to going on strike over the issue.

"It is getting to a tipping point," Masters said in a statement.

"The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion. The Premier League hasn't changed shape. What has changed over the last few decades is the march of international and regional football competitions."

Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo said: "Serie A, like almost all other European Leagues, in the last 20 years hasn't increased the number of games.

"On the contrary FIFA and UEFA, cycle after cycle, have increased constantly the size of their competitions for both clubs and national teams and we have now reached a saturation point in the calendar."

FIFA argues that its most recent calendar, set through to 2030, was approved by its council which "included FIFPRO and league bodies."

It said in July, when the antitrust complaint was first announced: "FIFA's calendar is the only instrument ensuring that international football can continue to survive, co-exist, and prosper alongside domestic and continental club football."

A source told ESPN that FIFA believes the Club World Cup will have a minimal impact on the football calendar or on player welfare, given it will be held once every four years, featuring a maximum of seven games.

A recent analysis published by Opta shows that, while City played the most games last season (59), the majority of teams in Europe played fewer than 50 matches, with five Premier League sides playing 42 games last season -- just four more than the league season.

Another recent paper by CIES Football Observatory found there is only a minor difference in the number of games players play per season compared to previous decades.

However, FIFPRO said their research shows 72% of players are in support of reducing the calendar and ensuring a mandate rest period, as well as data that says 17% of players made over 55 appearances last season and 30% had a sequence of six "back-to-back" matches.

FIFPRO and the European Leagues argue that FIFA is abusing its status as a governing body and tournament organiser, saying the body favours its own competitions rather than looking out for player welfare.

"Enough is enough, we can't take it anymore," Mathieu Moreuil, Premier League director of international football relations and EU affairs, said.

"We have now an international match calendar which is beyond saturation... We've tried to engage with FIFA on that for years now without any positive response. So enough is enough."

The antitrust complaint is not the only case against FIFA regarding the international match calendar. Domestic players unions in England, France and Italy took legal action against the governing body at the Brussels Court of Commerce in June and they are attempting to have the case tried at the European Court of Justice.

That case centres on employment law and players' rights to holiday. One of their aims is to have a mandated rest period -- between three to four weeks per year -- for players to recuperate.

European governing body UEFA has also increased its schedule, notably with the new Champions League and Europa League formats, but has not been targeted in the complaint to regulators.

Moreuil said that was because FIFA was responsible for the international calendar and relations were different with UEFA thanks to dialogue.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report

Brazil forward Neymar has made significant improvement on his knee recovery and could be fit to play on Oct. 21, sources told ESPN Brasil on Monday.

The Al Hilal star has been sidelined for a year since sustaining a torn ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty with Brazil.

Neymar, 32, returned to train with Al Hilal on Sept. 29. People closely monitoring Neymar's progress believe the player could return to play in time for Al Hilal's Asian Champions League game at Al Ain on Oct. 21.

Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus will have the final say on when Neymar will return to action.

However, he will first need the approval of Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, who carried out Neymar's surgery.

Lasmar is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to evaluate the player's fitness.

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, joined the Saudi Pro League side in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain but played just five games before getting hurt.

Brazil's Football Confederation is monitoring the situation closely and is hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

With two national team programs that have a combined history of 200-plus years, there's obviously no lack of legends that have represented either the United States or Mexico.

The rivalry has had iconic luminaries from the 20th century and younger superstars who have taken charge in the modern game -- as a result, it's no simple task to select the best of the best from each nation. Nonetheless, with another rivalry game for the two Concacaf powerhouses around the corner, we've done just that.

Here are the all-time best XIs from the United States and Mexico.

United States

GK: Brad Friedel

This was a tough one, especially when you consider that Tim Howard and Kasey Keller could make an argument for themselves. That said, Friedel narrowly takes the best XI spot when you consider his gargantuan number of English Premier League appearances (450) and his role in the Americans' quarterfinal finish in the 2002 World Cup.

DF: Steve Cherundolo

Is Sergiño Dest currently more talented than Cherundolo was at right-back? Probably, and it's only a matter of time before he takes the all-time spot, but Cherundolo maintains the No. 1 position because of his lengthier run of reliable play for club and country.

DF: Eddie Pope

A key central defensive figure in the famed 2002 World Cup squad and a constant rock in the middle of the USMNT backline. The aggressive defender won numerous titles with D.C. United, while also having the ability to occasionally find the back of the net at the domestic and international level.

DF: Marcelo Balboa

A two-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, a looming central defensive presence who earned three World Cup appearances, and the first U.S. player to reach 100 caps. Beginning his career in the pre-MLS era, Balboa was significant in the growth of American soccer.

DF: Carlos Bocanegra

It's inevitable that current left-back Antonee Robinson eventually takes the all-time No. 1 spot, but until then, it belongs to the former captain and looming presence, Bocanegra. A leader for both club (Fulham, Rennes, Saint-Etienne, Rangers) and country who would often play as a central defender, Bocanegra was a versatile and well-respected option who was capable of supporting the attack.

MF: Weston McKennie

A perfect example of how certain U.S. players can blossom in the modern elite European scene, McKennie is an impressively well-rounded figure who has made his mark at the UEFA Champions League level. He has yet to reach the peak of his abilities and could establish himself as a true icon in the 2026 World Cup.

MF: Claudio Reyna

A player on the U.S. team from 1994 to 2006 who would have no issues adjusting and thriving in the modern era, Reyna was highly entertaining with his intelligent ball distribution that few (if any) have been able to replicate in the current pool of U.S. players. It's no wonder why his son Giovanni Reyna appears to be one of the next big things in American soccer.

AM: Landon Donovan

At the risk of leaving out the tremendously proficient Tab Ramos or a defensive midfield stalwart like Michael Bradley, we need to clearly make room for the greatest American player in this midfield XI. Pacey, clever and always thinking two or three steps ahead, Donovan stepped up when it mattered most in crucial World Cup matches, which highlighted his abilities that have held him as the all-time U.S. leader in assists and joint-leader in goals.

AM: Christian Pulisic

Pulisic isn't far from surpassing Donovan as the greatest American player. He's a UEFA Champions League winner, a four-time earner of U.S. Soccer's Male Player of the Year, and is currently excelling in Serie A with AC Milan. Keep in mind: He still has plenty of gas left in the tank at 26.

FW: Eric Wynalda

Brian McBride and Jozy Altidore were options here, but we'll give the No. 9 to Wynalda, the team's former career scoring leader. Making a name for himself in Europe before MLS had even kicked off, the efficient forward became an invaluable U.S. attacker in the 1990s.

FW: Clint Dempsey

Alongside Donovan, Dempsey shares the U.S. career goals record. Few have matched his tenacity or his swagger, which backed up his ability to find the back of the net in three separate World Cups for the U.S. At the club level, he was Fulham's player of the year winner in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Coach: Bruce Arena

The plaudits speak for themselves. Three Concacaf Gold Cup victories and a thrilling quarterfinal run in the 2002 World Cup that continues to resonate with fans to this day. Mauricio Pochettino may be the best hire that the U.S. has ever had, but time will tell whether he'll accomplish what Arena did.

Mexico

GK: Jorge Campos

When El Brody played for the Mexican national team back in the 1990s, Mexico's dominance over the United States was a common sight in Concacaf. However, the northern neighbors were starting to show growth in their football. The former Pumas goalkeeper was a three-time World Cup participant and won two Gold Cups: the first one in 1993 with a 4-0 victory over the United States, and the second in 1996 when they defeated Brazil 2-0.

During the World Cup qualifiers of that era, the team had no trouble securing its World Cup spots with Campos as the goalkeeper, who was also a key player in winning the 1999 Confederations Cup, which, by the way, was held in Mexico.

DF: Ramón Ramírez

Ramírez played as a winger in his clubs, but for the national team, he was converted into an offensive left-back. His excellent technique and good ball control gave him an advantage when attacking, as he could deliver a perfect cross or switch the play toward the center of the field. He played almost 120 matches for the national team and was part of Mexico's great reign in Concacaf, when he won three Gold Cups (1993, 1996 and 1998). He was a World Cup participant in USA 1994 and France 1998, and an undisputed starter.

DF: Rafa Márquez

El Kaiser played for one of the best Barcelona teams in history and appeared in a record five World Cups with Mexico, serving as captain at just 23 years old. One of the darkest moments of his successful career came during his first World Cup in 2002, when Mexico lost 2-0 to the United States in the round of 16. However, the defeat to their rival wasn't the only humiliation: Márquez was also sent off for a violent and unnecessary head butt on Cobi Jones.

8 men have been selected for five World Cups:

Antonio Carbajal
Lothar Matthäus
Gigi Buffon
Rafa Marquéz
Leo Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Andrés Guardado
Guillermo Ochoa

El Tri make up 50% of the Cinco Copas club.

Squawka x @WrldSoccerShop pic.twitter.com/kShJU4z1dz

Squawka (@Squawka) November 22, 2022

DF: Claudio Suárez

Before Márquez and Héctor Moreno, Mexico had Suárez, a center-back with great technique and ball distribution and a rare ability to read the game, seldom seen in Mexican football. El Emperador was, for many years, the player who wore El Tri's jersey the most in 177 official matches, a record only surpassed by Andrés Guardado, who currently has 179 caps.

Suárez's time with the national team was remarkable: he participated in three World Cups, playing a key role in two (1994 and 1998). He was also a vital part of the team that finished runners-up in the 1993 Copa América. Suárez played in four Gold Cups, winning three of them (1993, 1996 and 1998), and he is the only captain of the senior national team to lift a trophy, the 1999 Confederations Cup at Estadio Azteca.

DF: Salvador Carmona

Carmona was a legendary right-back for Toluca and the undisputed owner of Mexico's right flank in two World Cups (1998 and 2002). He was a player with great energy, constantly running up and down the right side, with excellent defensive awareness, never afraid to take on any winger or forward. His list of titles includes two Gold Cups (1998 and 2003) as well as the 1999 Confederations Cup.

MF: Nacho Ambriz

Ambriz is one of the best defensive midfielders in Mexican football, shining in the 1993 Gold Cup when Mexico defeated the United States 4-0 at Estadio Azteca. Ambriz opened the scoring in that match with his signature long-range shot. Ambriz also played in the 1994 World Cup and was a key part of Mexico's runner-up finish in the 1993 Copa América.

MF: Andrés Guardado

El Principito is the player with the most official appearances for Mexico (179), and he could reach 180 if he plays against the United States, which will serve as a tribute to his career with the national team. Guardado experienced Mexico's partial dominance in Concacaf, winning three Gold Cups (2011, 2015 and 2019).

He is also one of seven players to have participated in five World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and others. Guardado holds the record for the most appearances by a Mexican in European football, with 542 matches after playing in LaLiga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, Europa League and Champions League.

AM: Pável Pardo

He wasn't the tallest, fastest or strongest player, but Pardo's technique, ball-striking ability, positional sense and game-reading skills set him apart. He played in two World Cups for Mexico (France 1998 and Germany 2006) and won two Gold Cups (1998 and 2003). He was also part of the 1999 Confederations Cup squad.

AM: Giovani dos Santos

Few players can claim to have given more to the Mexico national team during their careers than dos Santos. Just shy of his 17th birthday, dos Santos lifted the U-17 World Cup title in Peru in 2005, and later won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. In both tournaments, he contributed with goals and assists.

He played in three World Cups, helping Mexico take the lead against the Netherlands in Brazil 2014 before being inexplicably substituted. One of the most important moments of Gio's career came against the United States in the 2011 Gold Cup, when he scored the title-winning goal for Mexico, arguably the best goal in the historic Concacaf rivalry.

No hay nada más temeroso que tratar de frenar a Giovani Dos Santos en busca de un gol pic.twitter.com/KVfeocnMFm

Gold Cup (@GoldCup) October 31, 2020

AM: Cuauhtémoc Blanco

Blanco is without a doubt one of the most iconic players in Mexican football, known for his talent and boldness. He is the third-leading scorer for the national team with 38 goals, despite not being a traditional center-forward. Blanco scored in three different World Cups and exceled in three Copa América tournaments.

In the 1999 Confederations Cup, Blanco was the best player, scoring a brilliant goal in the final against Brazil and finishing as the tournament's top scorer alongside Ronaldinho with five goals. In that tournament, he also scored a golden goal against the United States in the semifinal.

FW: Jared Borgetti

Borgetti is the first Mexican to play in the Premier League, with a brief stint at Bolton Wanderers. For the national team, his crowning moment was his headed goal against Italy in the 2002 World Cup. Against the United States, Borgetti had a crucial moment when he scored at the Estadio Azteca, giving life to a team that was struggling to secure its place in the 2002 World Cup.

Coach: Javier Aguirre

He's on his third stint managing the Mexican national team, and faces his biggest challenge so far because of the criticism from fans with a home World Cup ahead of him.

Of course, the defeat against United States in the Round of 16 in 2002 still hurts, but we shouldn't forget the important results against Italy and France. He's arguably been the most accomplished coach for the country, especially considering his successes with Osasuna, Mallorca and Atlético Madrid on a club level.

Historically two of the biggest teams in the Concacaf region, the United States and Mexico have failed to impress in recent times. In efforts to breathe new life into their programs following their underwhelming 2024 Copa América campaigns, both countries made changes to their coaching staffs, with the U.S. hiring Mauricio Pochettino and Mexico bringing back Javier Aguirre for a third spell in charge of El Tri.

What do those appointments say about each federation's aspirations? And what are Concacaf's giants getting in their new hires? A rare friendly in Mexico between the two on Tuesday night will provide us with a first meaningful glimpse at the next chapters for the USMNT and El Tri.

Pochettino tasked with revitalizing stalled-out USMNT

Few things inspire more rose-colored optimism than that of an ambitious coaching hire.

Two months after careening out of the Copa América group stage, which led to the firing of Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. men's national team then turned a promising corner with the September introduction of Pochettino. Signing the former Chelsea manager was a clear signal of the lofty aspirations held by U.S. Soccer's power structure. It's also symbolic of the belief that the men's roster can one day become an elite side on the global scale.

"Hiring a manager like Pochettino shows that you're serious about growing the game," said Crystal Palace's Chris Richards earlier this month. "We could have gone down the safe route by choosing a potential coach from the MLS, but I think them going for a coach that might turn them down, and going for coaches of [his] caliber is very impressive from U.S. Soccer."

In the honeymoon era of Pochettino's tenure, and with co-hosting duties set for the 2026 World Cup, excitement is undoubtedly high among the players.

"It's funny, people ask me when I'm playing for Team USA: 'How far do you think you can go in the World Cup?' I say 'I want to win it,'" Richards added.

Pochettino echoed a similar sentiment in his first news conference last month.

"We are here because we want to win," said the 52-year-old Argentine, who noted the need to mirror the success of the U.S. women's national team. "We have many examples next to us we need to follow. We need to believe we can win the World Cup."

A message like that is undoubtedly music to the ears of USMNT fans.

During the modern era of the men's national team, supporters have been eager to see the intriguing up-and-coming generation of players reach their full potential. In order to do that and join the upper echelon of the global game, the USMNT required a coach that could match their grandiose dreams. That meant making the investment and putting trust in a figure like Pochettino, who has coached powerhouses in European club soccer. With full respect to his predecessor, that meant looking beyond MLS.

The hiring is a big step in the right direction, but keep in mind, it's just one of many that need to be made for a team that has taken a few steps backward since 2022. Long gone are the days when the fanbase and those in charge would be appeased by simply defeating another backsliding rival like Mexico. Aside from regional Nations League titles, there has been little evidence to show that the USMNT are more than just a big regional fish in the small Concacaf pond.

The USMNT's dismal run in the 2024 Copa América, and two winless friendlies against the likes of Brazil and Colombia heading into the tournament, cemented this idea. For all of the promise and hopes of a talented generation of players that have a high ceiling, it became apparent that they remained a work in progress under Berhalter.

For Pochettino, that means there must be an immediate revitalization of a team that needs a jump-start in attitude and confidence. Just a few weeks back, captain Christian Pulisic stated that "there's a lot of things that need to change" under their new manager, while noting the mentality and culture of the group.

On the field in the coming months, it will also be fascinating to see whether Pochettino will have the players adapt to his system or if he'll also have to adapt to his players. Playing out of the back, high pressing and using a fluid attack are signifiers of the Argentine's energetic approach, though one that might not click with the full player pool. Although a more pragmatic system emerged in his days with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, the initial training sessions for the USMNT hint at the arduous nature of Pochettino's three-a-day sessions.

"It's intense," Tim Ream said last week. "We had a pretty long session, I'd say one of the longer ones we've had with the national team setup."

A similar message was shared by Brenden Aaronson. "One thing that we know for sure that we've really rehashed [with Pochettino] is the intensity of what we want to play at," said Aaronson. "We want to play at a high intensity, we want to play in the other team's half, we want to have possession of the ball."

The youthful status of the USMNT player pool can lend itself to what Pochettino did with Southampton and Tottenham, which is where his managerial career took off.

"He was a game-changer," said Hugo Lloris to ESPN. "He was very demanding but in the right way. He wanted us to play with intensity. We used to train so hard so then games would feel easier. We would press so much, recovering the ball so high to attack straight away."

All that said, there are questions about whether the U.S. has the personnel in defense and in net that can comfortably play out of the back -- if Pochettino decides to bring that aspect of his style to the USMNT fold. As for the training sessions, the grueling nature of those sessions may become a source of frustration once the honeymoon period is over.

Can he overcome those kinds of obstacles and change the USMNT for the better?

Time will tell if the marquee manager will breathe new life into the group of promising up-and-comers. With a need to alter the USMNT culture and elevate budding stars like Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around, the clock is now ticking for Pochettino. -- Cesar Hernandez

Mexico turns back the clock in Aguirre's third spell

Amid a deluge of uncertainty, Mexico opted for the proven commodity that the 65-year-old Aguirre has demonstrated for El Tri in the past. Fresh off a solid two-year showing at Mallorca, Aguirre did not renew his contract with the Spanish side despite shepherding them to safety in LaLiga and, most notably, taking them to the Copa del Rey final.

This isn't the first time Aguirre has been called upon with the national team in crisis. In 2001 and 2009, Aguirre took over Mexico teams in dire straits, in danger of missing out on the 2002 and 2010 World Cups entirely, and eventually steered them to the knockout stages both times. This time, with Mexico co-hosting the World Cup, there will be none of the stressful preamble of qualification.

Aguirre seems to thrive amid the chaos of the Mexico job. In his first two spells, he quickly turned around teams that seemed lost on the pitch, finding the ideal tactics to maximize the available talent, and coached them toward respectable World Cup finishes.

Following a quick exit from last summer's Copa América, Mexico again finds itself in disarray. The federation is on its fourth coach (Gerardo Martino, Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano and now Aguirre) since 2022, and the parallels to Aguirre's previous rescue missions are hard to ignore.

When Aguirre took hold of the team in 2001, Mexico was highly competitive in the Americas despite having few of its players play for European clubs. Eight years later, during his second stint, it had evolved into a program that prided itself on exporting many of its top talents.

Today, it has notably regressed in that regard, falling behind Concacaf rivals Canada and the USMNT. Further complicating things, the national team's contract with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) has meant El Tri plays sparingly in Mexico, opting instead for big-money friendlies in the United States. In short, Aguirre inherits a team that is perhaps worse off than the one he managed nearly a quarter century ago.

"To have someone come in for a third time to try and right the ship, don't you think that means we haven't done things right?" Ricardo Osorio said in an interview with ESPN this August.

Osorio, a former defender who played under Aguirre at the 2010 World Cup, also played four seasons in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart.

"[Aguirre] isn't at fault here: he's here to fulfill a contract. He'll do what he does. He's a motivator, but I'm tired of doing the same thing. We haven't advanced, we've gone back in time."

Opinion is split around Mexican soccer circles with the choice to bring in Aguirre and his particular brand of crisis management. However, it is hard to argue with his history with the national team, as the former El Tri midfielder at the 1986 World Cup is seemingly at his best when tossed into near-impossible situations.

Aguirre's secret to success stems from coming in and emphasizing order to struggling sides, solidifying the defense and working from there to right the ship. Last season, Mallorca allowed just 44 goals in 38 matches -- only four LaLiga sides allowed fewer -- as he secured first-division play for another year. The mantra is clear: If they can't score, you can't lose. The result is often tight, unspectacular play that emphasizes efficiency and concentration in the back, while making the most of counterattacks and limited buildup opportunities for offensive players.

In his previous World Cup runs with Mexico, Aguirre's teams have never given up more than one goal in a single group stage match. However, the 2024 version of El Tri that Aguirre walks into is vastly different than the ones he encountered in 2001 and 2009. This Mexico is not a team that needs to figure out a way to defend, rather one that desperately needs to figure out how to create chances for its standout attacker, Santiago Giménez, who is currently out for three months due to a thigh injury.

"[Aguirre] is not a coach who has to play exactly the same way. I think he adapts himself well to what he wants to do to have success," said Jared Borgetti in an interview with ESPN. Borgetti, who played under Aguirre at the 2002 World Cup, is now a commentator for ESPN Mexico. "I believe his experience will help him identify the players he wants for a system that suits Mexico moving forward."

At the Copa América, Lozano's Mexico conceded just one goal in three games against Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica. It also just scored once, preventing it from qualifying for the knockout stages. Giménez, a top striker at the club level for Feyenoord, scoring 23 goals in the Eredivisie last season, has not netted for Mexico since July 2023, when he came off the bench in the Concacaf Gold Cup final against Panama to clinch El Tri's record ninth title in the competition.

In the past, Aguirre has had undeniable issues with teams that are expected to always be on the attack. At Monterrey, the Liga MX side he coached between 2021 and 2022, the Mexican coach was gifted with a luxury he arguably hadn't had since he managed Atlético Madrid in the late-2000s: a squad built to compete for trophies.

"I think he adapts well to what he has, we saw it in Monterrey, being able to play a different way than he has with most of the Spanish clubs he's coached," Borgetti said.

Although Aguirre won a Concacaf Champions League title at Monterrey early in his tenure, he later struggled. Fan pressure mounted, and after an underwhelming performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, he was dismissed after winning just 43% of his games there.

With Mexico, similar scenarios have played out. In 2002, Aguirre thrived as the underdog by beating Croatia and drawing against Italy at the World Cup, only to lose to the United States in crushing fashion in the round of 16 when all signs pointed to El Tri being favored. In 2010, his team beat France convincingly 2-0 in the group stage, only to again fall short in the round of 16 against Argentina.

The question, then is: How will the notoriously cautious Aguirre muster a winning formula to snap Mexico out of its offensive funk? The answer may lie in how much influence assistant coach Rafa Márquez has over the man in charge.

A youth coach at Barcelona, the club he once starred for, Márquez employed the La Masía way during his four-year stint in Spain, and at Barcelona Atletic, the main club's feeder, had a role in developing top-tier talent such as Gavi, Héctor Fort and, most notably, Lamine Yamal.

The tried-and-true Barcelona formula, however, is notably difficult to apply outside of the club for players who have not been immersed in it from an early age. Should Márquez and Aguirre be able to apply even a few helpful measures, though, it could go a long way toward nudging the team back toward relevancy and giving Márquez the necessary credibility to take over in 2026.

At the World Cup, the expanded 48-team format and local scheduling for Mexico offers (on paper, at least) a way for it to improve on past showings. For seven consecutive tournaments, Mexico was dogged by the curse of "el quinto partido," or "the fifth game," failing to get past the round of 16 from 1994 to 2018. Of course, 2022 was even worse, with El Tri failing to get out of the group stage. In 2026, el quinto partido won't mean a quarterfinals berth, but it will mean Mexico has won a knockout stage game for the first time since 1986.

Will that be enough to bring fans back into the team's good graces? A cash cow in the United States and Mexico for decades, El Tri's current state of futility has seemingly had its effect on attendance and the team's overall popularity in recent years, with fans and media regularly criticizing it in a manner not seen for quite some time.

Aguirre and the FMF will hope that their third time together is the charm, and that Mexico can not only salvage the opportunity presented for 2026, but launch itself into the future with another legend at the helm. -- Eric Gomez