Miscellany

A proposed 20,000-seat sports arena in downtown Washington moved a step closer to reality after the District of Columbia’s largest private employer announced it would help underwrite the project.

Bert Roberts Jr., chairman and CEO of MCI Communications, joined sports team owner Abe Pollin and Mayor Marion Barry in unveiling plans for the MCI Center. The new arena will be the home of the NBA’s Washington Bullets and NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Sweden scored three consecutive goals within 19 minutes in the second half to edge European champion Germany 3-2, and Japan beat Brazil 2-1 in women’s World Cup soccer at Gavle, Sweden.

The results left all four teams with identical 1-0-1 records. The defending champion United States (0-0-1) plays Denmark today.