#player-competition

#player-competition

A little more than a month ago, the U.S. men's national team seemed to be in disarray. The results were poor, the individual performances offered little in the way of hope, and the push for competition within the team seemed based more on wishful thinking than reality. Yet with the October window now concluded, it's clear that the recent gathering of USMNT players was a success, and there has been discernible progress made in terms of the team's preparations for next summer's FIFA World Cup.

The Raptors' rotation next season should be fascinating. Outside of the presumed starters (which will include RJ Barrett on day 1, as we've already hashed out), you can make the case for another seven players who are deserving of minutes on a night-to-night basis. But it's unlikely that Darko Rajakovic trots out a 12-man rotation every game, particularly when that same rotation contains some positional duplication. For example, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles and Jonathan Mogbo will likely be battling it out for minutes this season.

Jordan Fuller, Xavier Watts, and DeMarcco Hellams are competing for a starting job next to Jessie Bates, with Hellams having impressively inserted himself into the mix.

The Washington Commanders have an embarrassment of riches at the cornerback position this offseason, with players like Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil flourishing in training camp.

The New England Patriots will hold their first training camp practice of the summer, focusing on positional battles for the 2025-26 season, especially left guard and center.

Manager Nathan Jones indicates that the club must adapt and enhance its squad quality after returning to the Championship, highlighting busy summer recruitment focused on experience and potential.