SEAN M. HAFFEY / Union-Tribune Mexico's Carlos Vela (left) battles Argentina's Nicolas Burdisso.

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Sven-Goran Eriksson sat in a luxury suite at sold-out Qualcomm Stadium last night and watched Argentina play the Mexican national soccer team that he will take over as coach later this month. He sat there looking so stoically Swedish, expressionless behind those round glasses, as Argentina scored one goal after another and El Tri got booed off the field at halftime.

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Padres pitcher Greg Maddux was surprised to learn yesterday that friend John Smoltz, the ace of the Braves and a former teammate, needs shoulder surgery. Smoltz, 41, probably will end up in the Hall of Fame alongside Maddux, whether he continues to pitch or not.

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For many, many years, talking has not been Bill Walton's problem. He's James Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” only taller, a 6-foot-11 filibuster. An interview with him generally begins with Walton talking for 10 or 15 minutes before you've asked the first question.

The 108th U.S. Open at Torrey Pines unofficially kicked off yesterday morning. Tiger Woods was in the house. The world's No. 1 player teed off on the South Course at 8 a.m. and, riding in a cart with his coach, Hank Haney, Woods played in 3 hours, 15 minutes. Security was tight, and no media or spectators were allowed on the course at the time Woods was playing.