National Sports

TORONTO — Like the rest of Major League Soccer, Toronto FC is taking a break from regular-season play to focus on the Leagues Cup. After the grind of a busy summer schedule, the annual cup tournament for MLS and Liga MX sides offers a new challenge.

Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Thousands of former college athletes will be eligible for payments ranging from a few dollars to more than a million under the $2.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays recalled pitcher Yerry Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo and activated him ahead of Friday's game against the Texas Rangers. In a corresponding move, Toronto optioned pitcher Ryan Burr to Buffalo.

DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook has agreed to a two-year contract with the Denver Nuggets, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets have defenceman Simon Lundmark on a one-year, two-way contract extension, the NHL club announced Friday. The contract has an average annual value of US$775,000 at the NHL level.

Dirty tricks are nothing new in world football. Rivals have long looked to give themselves a competitive advantage or to unsettle the opposition. "The truth is it has gone on forever and I have seen it all," said a former Canadian men's team coach.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots signed safety Jabrill Peppers to a contract extension, head coach Jerod Mayo said before Friday’s practice. The 28-year-old Peppers is entering his third season with the Patriots.

PARIS — Olympic champions Maude Charron and Andre de Grasse held the Maple Leaf high as Canada's Olympic delegation sailed its way into the Paris Games.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Canadian pitcher James Paxton to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league infielder Moises Bolivar on Friday. Bolivar, a 17-year-old from Venezuela, hit .