Tour faves cruise

BRIOUDE, France — On days at the Tour de France when the top racers decide to take it easy, that’s the signal for other cyclists not chasing the overall title to seize the opportunity to shine. On Sunday, South Africa’s Daryl Impey was that man. Profiting from what amounted to a go-slow agreement among top contenders on Stage 9, who decided to chill on the hilly trek across the Massif Central mountains, Impey made sure he was in the breakaway group of riders who scooted away after the start in Saint-Etienne. He then beat Belgium’s Tiesj Benoot in a two-man sprint at the finish in the agricultural town of Brioude, where favorites for overall title cruised in more than 16 minutes later. French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe, who was cheered on by roadside fans celebrating France’s Bastille Day holiday, kept the race lead and there were no changes of note.

SOCCER

› SEATTLE — Raúl Ruidíaz and Harry Shipp scored as the Seattle Sounders beat Atlanta United FC 2-1 on Sunday. Ruidíaz chest-trapped a pass from Cristian Roldan, beat one defender and lobbed it over another before finishing with a volley from the center of the penalty area to open the scoring in the 58th minute. Atlanta’s Josef Martínez, who has eight goals in his past five starts and 13 overall this season, headed home a corner kick from Gonzalo Martínez to tie it in the 65th. Shipp bounced a header into the net to break a 1-1 tie in the 71st minute. Atlanta (9-83) is winless in its past three games. Seattle (10-5-5) is unbeaten at home this season and has won three of its past four overall.

FOOTBALL

› Ryan Leaf has been hired by ESPN to be a college football analyst, another step in the remarkable comeback of the former Washington State star quarterback who has battled drug addiction and served time in prison. Leaf will be paired with play-by-play announcer Clay Matvick and will mostly call games on ESPN2 and ESPNU. The former No. 2 overall NFL draft pick for the San Diego Chargers in 1998 worked for the Pac-12 Network last season.