Goodell disputes claim in lawsuit by RBElliott
SPORTS WIRE
The NFL players’ union sued the league on behalf of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott early Friday, seeking to vacate the upcoming ruling of an arbitrator on the appeal of his six- game suspension in a domesticviolence case.
But the NFL is disputing one of the lawsuit’s key assertions, claiming that commissioner Roger Goodell was aware that one of his lead investigators believed Elliott shouldn’t be disciplined before the suspension was handed down.
Arbitrator Harold Henderson, appointed by Goodell, is expected to rule on Elliott’s appeal soon. Attorneys for Elliott and the union said in a request for a temporary restraining order that they believe Henderson will reject the appeal.
The NFL granted Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant permission to play in the opener at Cleveland, nearly 18 months after he was suspended for violating the league’s substanceabuse policy. Also, running back Le’Veon Bell reported to the team facility after sitting out training camp and is expected to sign his $ 12.1 million franchise tender.
The Seahawks acquired defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson from the Jets for wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and a second- round pick. They also traded cornerback Tramaine Brock to the Vikings for a seventh- round pick.
The Browns cut quarterback Brock Osweiler but still will have to pay him $ 16 million.
The NFL suspended Saints receiverWillie Snead for three games for an offseason DUI. SOCCER
U. S. falls to Costa Rica
Marco Urena scored twice to give Costa Rica a 2- 0 victory over the U. S. in a World Cup qualifying match in Harrison, New Jersey.
The Americans have lost two home games in a World Cup cycle for the first time since 1957 and likely will need points on the road to qualify for their eighth consecutiveWorld Cup berth. They play at Honduras on Tuesday but will be without Jozy Altidore, who got a yellowcardinthe 80thminute. TheU. S. had been 9- 0- 5 in coach BruceArena’s second stint with the team.
Mexico clinched a spot in the World Cup with a 1- 0 victory over Panama in Mexico City. MISCELLANEOUS
Querrey lastAmericanmanin field
No. 10 John Isner lost 6- 4, 6- 3, 7- 6 ( 5) to 23rd seed Mischa Zverev, leaving No. 17 Sam Querrey, a 4- 6, 6- 2, 6- 4, 6- 4winner overRaduAlbot, as the lone American man remaining. Women’s winners included No. 3 Garbine Muguruza, No. 9 Venus Williams and unseeded Maria Sharapova. Off the court, Serena Williams gave birth to a baby girl in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Dustin Johnson shot a 5- under 66 to take a 1- shot lead in the opening round of the Dell Technologies Championship in Norton, Massachusetts, the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Kahleah Copper had 21 points, but the visiting Sky ( 12- 21) lost 11087 to the Minnesota Lynx and were eliminated from playoff contention.
Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre could miss the rest of the regular season because of a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring.
The Columbus Blue Jackets resigned free- agent center Alexander Wennberg to a six- year, $ 29.4 million contract.