CUP RUNNETH: After watching the U.S. soccer...

CUP RUNNETH: After watching the U.S. soccer team train for 18 months in its back yard, the Mission Viejo community will bid formal farewell to the World Cup-bound team at a black tie-optional dinner at the Mission Viejo Mall on Saturday. . . . “We’re trying to say ‘Guys, we appreciated you being here, we love you, best of luck,’ ” says Bill Irvine of its local Soccer Foundation. Most of the U.S. team will be at the $35-per-plate dinner, with food from 25 local restaurants.

SOCCER ROMANIA: Other soccer teams are making a home around here: This week the Swedish team arrived in San Diego and the Romanian team in Newport Beach to open their World Cup training camps. . . . The Romanians, who will train at UC Irvine for two weeks, even brought their own chef to the Hyatt Newporter, so their players would be used to home cooking. The two countries square off Sunday at 4 p.m. at Trabuco Hills High--the last exhibition match in Orange County. Tickets: $15.

SPLASHDOWN: In their debut seasons, the Mighty Ducks turned pro hockey on its ear, and the Bullfrogs won the Roller Hockey International title. Tonight, Anaheim gets its third professional sports franchise to play at The Pond (C1). It’s Splash, an entry in the Continental Indoor Soccer League--complete with Finley the dolphin as mascot, an all-woman dance team called--what else--the Mermaids. Tonight’s ceremonies include a pyrotechnic show, baton twirling, and 75 dancers.

BUSY SCOREKEEPER: Splash coach George Fernandez promises high entertainment. In indoor soccer, for example, total scores average more than 14 goals per game, unheard of in regular soccer. “Even a boring game is exciting,” the coach insists. There’s too much action going on for it to be boring.” . . . Pond spokesman John Nicoletti predicts Splash will be a winning team: “We can’t give Orange County people a second-rate product. They won’t stand for it.”