U.S. women off to flying start in World CupSunday in Washington, the U.S. national women's soccer team opened defense of their 1999 World Cup title with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sweden.
American star Mia Hamm, playing on the home field of her former WUSA team (the now-defunct Washington Freedom), recorded three assists in front of 34,000 fans.
The news wasn't all good for the U.S. women, however, as forward Brandi Chastain - made famous by her sports bra-enhanced celebration after the '99 championship - broke a bone in her right foot. She will miss the rest of the first round of action.
With another win, the Americans will advance from Group A with either Sweden, Nigeria or North Korea.
The North Koreans won't confirm or deny rumors that Kim Jong-Il is their emergency goalkeeper.

Raider kicker arrested after vicious bar fight

Stocky Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, no stranger to the inside of a jail cell, was arrested Saturday night for his involvement in a brawl at a Walnut Creek, Calif. bar. According to Monday's edition of the Contra Costa Times, the former Florida State Seminole was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor vandalism and being drunk in public after a fight at Slates Supper Club.
Lt. Steve Skinner, who described Janikowski as being "very intoxicated," said the kicker capped off his night by shattering a number of parked car windows in the lot of the establishment.
Janikowski's embarassing rap sheet is about to put the Poland-born athlete on par with the likes of O.J. Simpson, Robert Downey Jr. and former Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges (who has yet to enter the California recall election).
Late last December, Janikowski plead guily to a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving, receiving a $1,300 fine and three years of probation. In 2001, Janikowski faced up to five years in prison and possible deportation for his involvement in the sale of the "date-rape" druge GHB. He was acquitted.
Henin-Hardenne denies rumors of doping

Belgian tennis star Justine Henin-Hardenne is losing her popularity faster than puberty-stricken former child star Haley Joel Osment. As Osment debuted in his latest bomb, "Secondhand Lions," Henin-Hardenne's rival and fellow Belgian national Kim Clijsters dropped a verbal bomb of her own, accusing the world's No. 1 of doping during the latter stages of the U.S. Open.
The accusations stem from Justine's quick recovery from a gruelling three-set semifinal marathon with American Jennifer Capriati. Despite severe cramping and exhaustion following that match, and a night spent in the hospital with an intravenous drip in her arm, Henin-Hardenne took the court the next day and disposed of favored Clijsters.
Upon her return to Brussels after the Open, Henin-Hardenne addressed the doping claims that were first made by Clijsters' father Leo. "I do not take any product, whatever they might be," she said, "apart from the water and other energy drinks prepared by the WTA."
Justine's coach Carlos Rodriguez believes the inuendo from the Clijsters camp is motivated purely by jealousy. "Justine is better than Kim and will win more often than her," he told the Belgian daily, Le Soir. "In six months, Justine has become a different player, a lot stronger. I know that she works very hard, but she is not the only one. All players, including Kim, work on their muscular force."
Haley Joel better hit the weights.