European clubs are looking at new options for the future of the Champions League after a proposal that would have given captive places to 24 teams ran into strong opposition, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

The chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) Andrea Agnelli also appeared indicate that the contentious plan had hit the rocks, acknowledging in a speech on Monday that its members had different views on the matter.

- Champions League group stage: All you need to know

UEFA has been working with ECA, which represents 232 clubs, on reform of the European club competition system from 2024 onwards.

The initial proposal envisaged a three-tier pan European league with promotion and relegation between the divisions.

The top tier would be the new version of the Champions League but 24 of the 32 teams would keep their places for the following season, breaking the tradition that qualification is achieved through performance in domestic competition.

It also suggested four groups of eight in the group stage, meaning a large increase in the number of European matches.

However, the proposal was strongly opposed by Europe's domestic leagues that say the battle for Champions League places is a key aspect of their competitions. A number of ECA members then broke ranks after a meeting in Malta in June and also criticised the plan.

Sources close the to clubs said on Monday that other proposals were now on the table.

These included one which suggested groups of six for the Champions League and another proposed by FC Copenhagen which would change the criteria which decides the allocation of places.

At present, slots are allocated to clubs depending on where they finish in their respective domestic leagues, with the top four teams from England, Spain, Italy and Germany earning direct qualification for the Champions League group stage.

However, FC Copenhagen proposed that historical records of the clubs should also be taken into account -- which would favour big clubs from middle-ranking leagues over smaller clubs from top-ranked leagues.

"The feeling before Malta was that everything was written in stone. You've all seen it's not like this," Agnelli told the ECA general assembly, without directly mentioning the proposal.

"It's been great seeing the participation of many clubs in sharing consultation in the past couple of months. This was the start of a genuine, open and transparent process."

"We have different views on formats and the stability principles. We have issues on the calendar. I understand that -- but there is an overall acceptance that reform must happen in 2024-25."

He also struck a conciliatory note towards the needs of the leagues. "We strongly believe that whatever the future holds ... we must maintain a strong symbiosis with domestic leagues."

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced that CEO and Secretary General Dan Flynn will officially leave his post on Monday, Sept. 16, and that the search for his replacement is ongoing.

Brian Remedi, the USSF's Chief Stakeholders Officer and a 13-year veteran of the Federation, has been given the added title of Chief Administrative Officer to ease with the transition, and will take over some of Flynn's duties until a permanent replacement can be found.

"The honor of serving U.S. Soccer has been a privilege and experience of a lifetime, and none of what we've been able to accomplish over my time here would be possible if not for the people within our organization -- past and present -- who shared my belief and love for what the sport of soccer means and can do here in the United States," said Flynn. "I retire with immense appreciation and respect for everyone who played a role in my journey and now look forward to welcoming new leadership that will continue to advance the mission of U.S. Soccer at all levels of our game."

USSF president Carlos Cordeiro added, "I'd like to thank Dan for his incredible commitment to U.S. Soccer for the past 20 years. His steadfast leadership has been invaluable and drove the sport to new heights."

Flynn, 64, had announced at the USSF's Annual General Meeting back in February that he would be stepping down. He underwent a heart transplant in 2016 which required a five-month recovery, thus giving the Federation some experience in handling his duties on an interim basis.

But the USSF has been unable to find a replacement as of yet. Several lawsuits, including a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by players from the U.S. Women's national team have occupied the Federation. There was also a scathing series of reviews on the website Glassdoor.com about the work environment at the USSF led Cordeiro to say that an employee survey would be formulated to obtain feedback from USSF staff. That survey has not yet been delivered to the USSF employees.

The USSF hopes that the process to replace Flynn will be completed by the end of 2019, though it could run into January of 2020. At present there are internal and external candidates, though there is no set list of finalists. Among those considered in the running is U.S. Soccer executive Jay Berhalter, who is brother of U.S. men's team coach Gregg Berhalter.

Flynn's 19-year career at U.S. Soccer coincided with a period of dramatic growth. According to financial statements posted by the USSF, revenues grew from $36.3 million in the 2005 fiscal year to over $290 million in 2018. During this time Flynn overhauled the USSF's business practices which provided a substantial reserve for future endeavors.

He also oversaw the construction of several soccer facilities including the National Training Center in Carson, Calif., in 2003, and the National Development Center in Kansas City, Kan., which opened at the end of 2017. In partnership with Clark and Dan Hunt, owners of MLS side FC Dallas, Flynn helped lead the effort to open the new National Soccer Hall of Fame Experience in Frisco, Texas, in October of 2018.

Flynn also put his business background to work in preparing the framework to help the Local Organizing Committee successfully stage the 2003 Women's World Cup on an expedited timeline after original hosts China were unable to hold the event due to the SARS outbreak.

In 2012, along with former U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, Flynn also helped create the structure for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

Remedi will begin his additional position as Chief Administrative Officer on September 16.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with U.S. Soccer staff, our Membership and the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors to continue pushing the game forward," said Remedi.

Major League Soccer doesn't do international breaks. Not fully, anyway. Like the workaholic half of a committed couple, MLS can never seem to pull itself away when a great opportunity for a little rest and relaxation is presented.

Always checking email poolside. Put the Blackberry down. It's supposed to be a vacation!

This week's limited schedule means there's not a lot of movement in the Power Rankings, but we did get a chance to reset, reboot and reassess the playoff situation just ahead of the final four or five games for most of the contenders.

It's a little like that moment of weightlessness at the top of the roller coaster, before gravity kicks in and everyone goes bonkers while the car rushes down at 250 mph ... AHHHHHHHHHHHH THIS WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA WHY DID I DO THIS LET'S GET TO THE RANKINGSSSSSS!!!

Previous rankings: Week 26 | Week 25 | Week 24 | Week 23 | Week 22 | Week 21 | Week 20 | Week 19 | Week 18 | Week 17 | Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1

1. LAFC (19 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses)

Previous ranking: 1

Next MLS match: Saturday at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The fair take is that LAFC was lucky to escape Florida with a point, especially down five starters including Carlos Vela. Leaving Vela out, which coach Bob Bradley may do next week against Philadelphia, is probably prudent but risks the chase for all of the regular-season records.

2. New York City FC (15-8-5)

Previous ranking: 3

Next MLS match:Wednesday vs. Toronto, 7 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

You know you forgot about Jesus Medina. We all forgot about Jesus Medina. Luckily for NYCFC, who was without the injured Heber against the Revs, Dome Torrent didn't forget about Jesus Medina. NYCFC's ascension into first in the East is complete and feels permanent.

3. Philadelphia Union (15-6-8)

Previous ranking: 2

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

LAFC comes to Chester next week. According to the red-hot Kacper Przybylko, the Union are ready. "LAFC, I wish you a lot of luck," Przybylko said last week after beating Atlanta. "This is our house. This is our stadium. We're waiting for you guys."

4. Minnesota United (13-6-9)

Previous ranking: 4

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Loons migrate south to Houston in midweek with a chance to bag three points against a team with zero energy left. If it's going to be #LoonSeason come October, Adrian Heath's team needs to avoid any potential bird traps and claim what should be an easy win.

5. Atlanta United (15-3-10)

Previous ranking: 5

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The champs restart the defense of their title against the Crew. In the meantime, they can celebrate Josef Martinez winning Goal of the Week for his clever take against the Union. It came in a losing cause, but still.

6. San Jose Earthquakes (13-5-10)

Previous ranking: 6

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

We don't know about you, but we have the distinct feeling that Matias Almeyda spent his suspension breaking cinder blocks in half with his bare hands and plotting the trail of destruction the Quakes intend to blaze through the Western Conference on their way to the playoffs. Watch out, Bob.

7. Portland Timbers (13-4-11)

Previous ranking: 8

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. D.C. United

Brian Fernandez's flu game pushed the Timbers to a massive, massive home win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. The Timbers would still have the inside track on a playoff spot even with a draw, but the win greatly improves their chances of claiming a home game when they get there.

8. Seattle Sounders (13-7-9)

Previous ranking: 7

Next MLS match: Sunday vs. New York Red Bulls, 6 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN

Sometimes knockoff versions of name-brand products have weird spellings that make them look like the high-quality stuff even when they're not. In other news, the Seattle Zounders lost to the Colorado Rapids in Commerce City on Saturday.

9. New England Revolution (10-9-10)

Previous ranking: 9

Next MLS match: Saturday at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Bruce-a-lution has stalled at a bad time, as one win in six has the club's playoff chances approaching coin-flip territory. Bad for the Revs, but good for neutrals when New England head to Orlando next week to play a desperate Lions team with any shot at the postseason on the line.

10. LA Galaxy (13-3-12)

Previous ranking: 10

Next MLS match: Wednesday at Colorado Rapids, 9 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

As if the loss to the Sounders last week weren't bad enough, the Timbers' win on Saturday pushed the Galaxy out of the playoffs spots in the Western Conference. A Wednesday night trip to Colorado gives LA the chance to pull themselves back into the top seven.

11. Real Salt Lake (13-4-11)

Previous ranking: 11

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 9:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

What comes next for RSL is a brutal two-game week that starts Wednesday against all-action San Jose at home (minus nine international call-ups) and finishes Sunday with a trip to Allianz Field to play Minnesota United. "It all comes down to this" feels both overly dramatic and right on the button.

12. FC Dallas (12-7-10)

Previous ranking: 12

Next MLS match: Saturday at Chicago Fire, 3:30 p.m. ET

Seventh-place FC Dallas finishes a trio of games against lesser MLS lights with a trip to Chicago on Saturday. The first two (against Houston and Cincinnati) were resounding wins. Luchi Gonzalez must get three points, in whatever fashion, to keep pace for the playoffs.

13. Toronto FC (11-8-10)

Previous ranking: 14

Next MLS match: Wednesday at NYCFC, 7 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Reds won a must-win game in confidence-building fashion on the road. From that perspective, the weekend couldn't have gone better for Greg Vanney's team. It gets a little tougher midweek, when the quest for the playoffs takes TFC to Yankee Stadium.

14. D.C. United (11-9-10)

Previous ranking: 15

Next MLS match: Sunday at Portland Timbers, 3:30 p.m. ET

United used a Wednesday night friendly against Puebla to get Wayne Rooney reintegrated into the team following his two-match suspension. Whether Rooney is sharp and completely committed may determine if the Black and Red get a chance to play for a championship before he leaves for home in the offseason.

15. Colorado Rapids (9-6-14)

Previous ranking: 16

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. LA Galaxy, 9 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

BREAK UP RAPIDS. OK, so the Sounders (whoops, Zounders) were so short-handed that they only brought 16 players, two of them emergency call-ups from the Tacoma Defiance, and Colorado still doesn't have any chance at the postseason, but Robin Fraser has two wins in two games. That's worth a tip of the Power Rankings cap (it's a fedora).

16. Sporting Kansas City (10-7-12)

Previous ranking: 13

Next MLS match: Sunday at LA Galaxy, 10 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

A poor clearance + Diego Valeri magic + poor marking at the back post = sad baby blue trombones for Sporting in Portland. Will those trombones also play a dirge for the club's season? Or maybe a New Orleans-style jazz funeral song? That sounds like more fun.

17. Orlando City (9-8-13)

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Thus, Orlando City: "I can't describe it," James O'Connor said after the 2-2 draw with LAFC. "It's so far past disappointment, I can't even begin to tell you. I thought our performance was excellent. When you look at how good LAFC are, you look at how we managed the game and you look at the problems we caused them, on another night we would have won the game."

18. New York Red Bulls (12-5-12)

Previous ranking: 18

Next MLS match: Sunday at Seattle, 6 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN

It's never good when your fan base spends a week arguing if your head coach should be in danger of losing his job, just ahead of a stretch run that includes four out of five games against teams currently in the playoff positions. Never good at all.

19. Chicago Fire (8-10-12)

Previous ranking: 19

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. FC Dallas, 3:30 p.m. ET

A fire is made up of oxygen, fuel and heat. The Chicago Fire are missing at least two of those.

20. Columbus Crew (8-7-15)

Previous ranking: 20

Next MLS match: Saturday at Atlanta United, 7 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Crew are solely in spoiler mode the rest of the way, with an eye on 2020. On Saturday they have a chance to stun the champs in Atlanta, potentially dealing a blow to United's quest for a high seed and home playoff games.

21. Montreal Impact (11-4-15)

Previous ranking: 21

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

The Impact's playoff chances have dwindled dramatically despite the fact that they sit just two points back of seventh-place New England. Playing at home against FC Cincinnati on Saturday might just be the "get healthy" game that jump-starts the push for the postseason.

22. Vancouver Whitecaps (6-9-15)

Previous ranking: 22

Next MLS match: Saturday vs. Houston Dynamo, 10 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

There's currently more interest in Vancouver in playing a game called "Who's fault is it?" than anything happening on the field. Four games left until winter comes to British Columbia.

23. Houston Dynamo (9-4-15)

Previous ranking: 23

Next MLS match: Wednesday vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

Orange is a nice color. We really like orange. It's a great color for autumn.

24. FC Cincinnati (5-3-21)

Previous ranking: 24

Next MLS match: Saturday at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET, stream live on ESPN+

... Orange is a nice color? We really like orange? It's a great color for autumn?

Veteran seam bowler Mitch Claydon will leave Kent for Sussex at the end of this season.

Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie said the 36-year-old Claydon would bring a wealth of experience to his squad. "We have been looking to secure an experienced seamer for the short term to add depth to our bowling stocks and Mitch fits the bill perfectly. His experience and knowledge will be valuable in our dressing room.

"He is an important part of our plan for our seam bowling department. We are also seeking a younger, more long-term signing to complement our current bowling stocks."

Originally from Sydney, Claydon used his British passport to join Yorkshire, where he played alongside Gillespie in 2006. Claydon moved to Durham, where he was part of the Championship-winning sides of 2008, 2009 and 2013. A successful loan stint at Kent in 2013 led to a seven-year association with the club, where he was reunited with Gillespie in 2017 when the latter became an interim assistant coach.

Having helped Kent win promotion to the Championship's top division in 2018 and reach the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup the same year, Claydon was not offered a contract extension beyond this season.

Claydon said: "After playing with Dizzy in my first year in England and spending time with him when he was with Kent, I'm really excited to be playing under him again. I still feel as though I have plenty to offer and look forward to hopefully putting in some match-winning performances for Sussex.

"I'd like to give a huge thank you to all my coaches and team-mates over the past seven years at Kent. I've made memories and friends for life in the Garden of England."

Kent Head Coach Matt Walker said Claydon had been "an outstanding servant" to the club. "He's also produced some great performances for us, whether that be in red-ball cricket or at the death in limited-overs formats. He's been a real match winner for Kent on the field and a true champion off it. He'll be hugely missed."

In another reshuffle in West Indies cricket, CWI president Ricky Skerritt has announced Kieron Pollard as the new ODI and T20I captain. Pollard has not played an ODI in nearly three years but CWI has decided to give him the captaincy after Jason Holder led them in the format recently in the World Cup and against India at home.

Skerritt made the announcement in Trinidad on Monday, after the conclusion of a quarterly board meeting in Tobago. He said the board was following the "best possible practices for best possible outcomes".

"Jason Holder was called by me yesterday morning and we spoke," Skerritt said at the press conference while sitting next to Pollard and other CWI officials. "He's a very important force and is still going to be our red-ball captain. Holder will now compete for a place in Pollad's team and use this as an opportunity to become a better cricketer. Pollard is the right man at the right time to take our white-ball teams forward.

"What impressed me the most about Pollard was his keenness and commitment to give back to the game."

Pollard last played an ODI in October 2016 but he has been a part of the T20I side recently. In the three T20Is against India, he scored 58, 8* and 49 to finish as the leading run-scorer in the series. He did not bowl in the series, though, even though he has bowled twice in three CPL matches so far for Trinbago Knight Riders.

When Viv Richards was asked last month by the Telegraph (India) if West Indies should have different captains in different formats, he had said: "Judging from what I have seen, Kieron Pollard would have been the best choice as our T20 captain and there are reasons for that. During CPL, he was the best with the bat. Also why I think this may be because a lot of captains were introduced at that time. There were also problems between the Board and the players, no disrespect to Carlos Brathwaite but because of those politics he has fast fallen in captaincy. Pollard would have been a better choice. It's not that Carlos would not have been a member in the team then... I know Carlos is magnificent as an individual, he is a wonderful guy, highly competitive guy, he will not feel hurt any way. A lot of guys know that Pollard would have been a great choice."

It was last year that Pollard returned to the T20I West Indies side after more than a year's gap as the board wanted to try out some high-profile players before the World Cup in England. Pollard and a few other players had fallen out with the board earlier for various reasons, the primary one being the clash between playing domestic cricket and overseas T20 leagues.

However, with a change in personnel at CWI earlier this year, Pollard had expressed his hopes of making the World Cup squad. He was named among the reserves but wasn't picked in the final squad of 15.

Less than two months after the end of the World Cup, Pollard will now lead West Indies in two formats. His first assignment as captain will be against Afghanistan in November in India where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs before a one-off Test, which Holder will be captain.

Following their historic Test win against Bangladesh, retiring allrounder Mohammad Nabi lauded "aggressive" captain Rashid Khan, while also laying the blame on last-minute captaincy changes for their poor performance in the World Cup.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board in April had ushered in a new leadership era with Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid taking charge of the Test, ODI and T20I teams respectively, ending Asghar Afghan's four-year stint as captain.

With Afghanistan losing all of their nine matches in the World Cup, Naib's captaincy, especially his on-field decisions during a thriller against Pakistan, came under the scanner. Phil Simmons, whose tenure as their coach ended after the tournament, had even said he would expose the truth behind the team's World Cup mess, including the controversial removal of Afghan as captain.

"It is all about team combination," Nabi said in the post-match press conference after the win against Bangladesh on Monday. "In the World Cup, the board members changed the old captain and that's why the combination wasn't that good. With Rashid as captain, Asghar and I support him a lot. He prepared for the role too.

ALSO READ: Rashid Khan lauds 'great team effort', dedicates match award to Mohammad Nabi

"If you change the captain before the World Cup, how can you prepare the team? He (Naib) never captained in his life, how can he lead a team in the World Cup? That's why it was tough, and the boys didn't perform in the World Cup. We got close against India, Pakistan and West Indies but now it has totally changed. We are giving chances to the youngsters; three debuted in the Test and there will be many debuts in the T20s too."

Scathing in their criticism, Nabi and Rashid had taken to Twitter to oppose the drastic captaincy changes before the World Cup, with Rashid calling the decision "irresponsible and biased".

Following the debacle in the tournament, Rashid was made the Afghanistan captain across formats, while Afghan was appointed his deputy. Rashid delivered in his very first assignment, spinning Afghanistan to victory in Chattogram and also picking up the Man-of-the-Match award for his 11 wickets and a half-century in the first innings, which invited praises from Nabi.

Nabi's decision to retire from Tests came as a result of him wanting youngsters to take his place in the format. On this occasion too he highlighted the importance of having a young player like Rashid in-charge.

"We are focusing on the youngsters," Nabi said. "We have put a young captain in-charge, and he is aggressive. He is the No. 1 bowler in the world as well. That's why we all support the captain. Our chairman and CEO, our board members support the team."

Bangladesh have made six changes to their T20I squad for the tri-series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe starting September 13. Bangladesh left out Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Mithun, while Tamim Iqbal continued to be on his break granted by the BCB.

Fast bowler Yeasin Arafat and Test specialist Taijul Islam received their maiden T20I call-ups, while Mahedi Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain and Sabbir Rahman were recalled. Other absentees from the squad, who were part of the T20I series against West Indies earlier this year, were Abu Hider, Ariful Haque and Nazmul Islam.

Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that they selected the likes of Mahedi and Yeasin, who were part of the High Performance squad this year, because it was the mandate given to them. Taijul was probably picked not just because of his Test performance but for his impressive BPL statistics over the last few years. Afif and Mahedi, meanwhile, made their T20I debuts against Sri Lanka last year, but did not make any noteworthy contributions in their respective games.

"We have to pick a new set of players, which is why we picked Mahedi and Yeasin. There's no real reason to drop Mehidy Hasan Miraz. We are just trying out some new players," Minhajul said.

Yeasin, 20, has played just seven first-class matches and six List A games. He recently played for the Bangladesh emerging team against the touring Sri Lanka side, in which he took three wickets in the three one-day games. His impressive outing in domestic cricket had also earned him a place in the 31-man preliminary squad for the senior team's tour of the West Indies last year.

T20I squad for tri-series: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Yeasin Arafat

For the second time in ten days, Shakib Al Hasan has expressed his unwillingness to lead Bangladesh. This time he said it after their 224-run defeat to Afghanistan in Chattogram, although he hinted that he is open to discussions about his role, with the BCB chief Nazmul Hassan.

"I think it will be ideal if I didn't have to be the captain," Shakib said. "From a personal point of view, it will be good for my cricket. If I have to take leadership, then we must have discussion about a lot of issues."

Six days before the start of the Afghanistan Test, Shakib had similar views on his captaincy in an interview to the Bengali daily Prothom Alo.

ALSO READ: Shakib not 'mentally prepared to lead in Tests and T20s'

"I am not even mentally prepared to lead in Tests and T20s," Shakib said on August 30. "But the team is not in a good shape, so I understand that I have to lead to get it back on track. Otherwise, I am not really interested in leading in any format. I can focus on myself if I am not captaining, which would help the team.

"I want to see the younger lot to take responsibility. We [Mushfiqur Rahim and he, in the main] got captaincy at a very young age, but they (the next bunch) have now turned 26-27. Unless you give them responsibility, you won't know what they can do. The World Test Championship and T20 World Cup are up ahead, so we should plan for the next four years."

While it is important to usher in the youngsters, there is a general view within the decision-makers in the BCB that the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das are not prepared to lead Bangladesh in any format yet. Among the seniors, Mashrafe Mortaza is still the ODI captain while Mahmudullah has led a few times in Shakib's absence in Tests and T20Is since last year. Tamim Iqbal led in Sri Lanka in the absence of Shakib and Mashrafe but it is well known that the BCB doesn't prefer him in the long term, while Mushfiqur has had his long stint as captain in all formats.

Shakib, however, accepted that he would have to shoulder the major blame for Bangladesh's disintegration on the fifth evening of the Chattogram Test. It was his needless cut shot, which he edged to wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai off Zahir Khan, off the first ball of the third session that gave Afghanistan their big breakthrough.

"I am really disappointed," Shakib said. "We had four wickets in hand to bat out an hour and ten minutes. My first-ball dismissal made it difficult for the team. The responsibility lies with me. I think it would have been better had I not played that cut shot. It put the team under pressure. I should have taken up the job to spend more time at the crease, which would have made the dressing room more comfortable. Maybe we could have taken it close to a draw."

Shakib also said that some of the players displayed a real lack of game awareness, especially Mehidy and Soumya who made crucial mistakes on the fifth evening. "The result shows we didn't have the ability [to last 70 minutes]. Taijul [islam] had inside-edged the ball to his pad, but since [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz had taken the review, he couldn't use it. Even someone who has played cricket for one day would know that this was plumb out. If he hadn't taken the review, Taijul could have used it. He defended well in the first innings.

"When you see Soumya react like that after taking that run [to give No. 11 strike early in the over], you know that he isn't sure of his role. There's a lot to learn but I don't know how long it will take them to learn," Shakib said in his fourth press conference in the last six days.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- So much for that new-look offense without Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.

Those players were missed on a miserable night of football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose 33-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday left their quarterback placing blame squarely on himself.

"I wasn't good enough," said Ben Roethlisberger, who went 27-of-47 for 276 yards and one interception. "I wasn't giving guys balls where they needed to catch them. Put them in front, behind, things like that. So, just -- I wasn't good enough."

The Steelers finished the game with 308 yards, but many of those came in garbage time. At halftime, Pittsburgh had limped to four first downs, one third-down conversion and 87 yards. James Conner and the rushing attack managed 32 yards and and failed to convert several short-yardage situations.

From five-wide sets to zone running plays, nothing the Steelers tried worked, with Roethlisberger missing on three of his four deep-ball attempts.

The Steelers most recently scored three points in a season opener in 2001, losing 21-3 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The message was sent.

"I think it was a wake-up call -- something we needed," said receiver Donte Moncrief, who dropped several contested passes Sunday and finished with three catches for 7 yards despite a team-high 10 targets. "It's something I felt I needed."

Struggling in New England is nothing new for the Steelers. The Patriots have outscored Pittsburgh 152-72 in their past four games at Gillette Stadium.

But the timing of the dud is noteworthy. Bell made his debut with the New York Jets on Sunday and Brown signed with the Patriots over the weekend, though he wasn't eligible to play in Week 1.

Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers weren't ready for prime time, and that has nothing to do with ex-players.

"I'm not specifically worried about anything relevant to Brown. I'm worried about the guys in our locker room and the quality of our execution in what we did and didn't do," Tomlin said. "Antonio has been off our team for a number of months. We moved on from that stuff in March."

JuJu Smith-Schuster understands that storyline but said he believes in his offense.

"People are always going to talk about not having certain players that we had last year," said Smith-Schuster, who led the team with 78 receiving yards. "I think this year, the guys we have here now, we have ultimate guys ... we've got so many guys, we just have to make our plays."

A video producer who worked with Antonio Brown said Monday that Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden approved the use of his phone call in a video released by the disgruntled wide receiver.

Alejandro Narciso, speaking on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, said he was recording Brown last week for a video project when agent Drew Rosenhaus told Brown that Gruden was on the phone for him. Narciso kept taping while Brown took the call, and later included it in a video that Brown planned to release.

In the call, Gruden asked Brown if he wanted to be a Raiders player or not. Brown countered by saying the Raiders should ask themselves if they wanted him.

There were questions on whether the inclusion of the call in the video was legal, as in California, both parties must consent to be recorded. Narciso said Monday he believes Gruden gave them permission to use the call in the video.

Narciso said while he was editing the video, Brown's marketing manager alerted him that he needed Gruden's consent to use the call. Narciso said Brown texted the video to Gruden, who answered 15 minutes later with three texts: "Wow, I love it," "loved it" and "I love it."

"All right," Narcisco said he told Brown. "There's our permission."

A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Gruden thought the video was "awesome."

The video came in a week that saw Brown on Wednesday post a list of team-issued fines on Instagram that resulted in a heated argument with Raiders general manager Mike Mayock later that day at practice. The Raiders then announced Friday that despite the argument with Mayock, Brown was expected to play in Monday night's season-opener against the Denver Broncos. But the Raiders also fined Brown more than $215,000 for conduct detrimental, sources told ESPN.

The video, including Gruden's phone call, was posted on Brown's Instagram on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, after Brown publicly requested his release on Instagram, the team released him. Brown officially became a free agent at 4:01 p.m. ET Saturday, and shortly after, agreed to a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.