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SPORTS NOTES - WORLD CUP BOUND

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The World Cup is on and the MLS is taking and extended break in their season to accommodate the tournament being played in CANADA, the USA and Mexico. Lionel Messi at 39 he stills feels fine enough to compete in his sixth World Cup for Argentina - Other MLS players to see World Cup action - THIS DAY IN THE NBA - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Wednesday June 3, 2026

MLS EXPORTS PEROFRMANCES at the BREAK

The English Premier League and Bundesliga Leagues seasons are over and the MLS is on an extended break. That sets up some interesting story lines heading into the World Cup next week.

Thus far this MLS season Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals in 14 matches with 8 assists for Inter Miami FC. They are currently in second place in the Eastern conference with an 8-4-2 record for 28 points. They trail leaders Nashville by only two points. Now it's time for the Magic Man to display his talents in the big show with Argentina.

A 39-year-old Messi has already appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player twice -- first in 2014, then again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been given out only since 1982, but he is the lone player to win it twice.

The defending champions will kick off the summer tournament on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Another MLS player Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC): Captain and star forward has changed his MLS game from being a scorer to being a provider. He has eight assists in 11 games leads the team. He has yet to score a goal.

The South Korea national will be participating in his fourth World Cup.

HARRY KANE

Harry Kane has raised cane with champion Bayern Munich this season scoring. He led the German squad to the Bundesliga title. The England striker's 53rd goal in all competitions this season, was the most by a payer from a club in Europe's top five leagues since Robert Lewandowski's 55, also with Bayern, in 2019-20. Kane will be leading the England squad in the World Cup.

Lewandowski is rumored to be headed to the MLS with the Chicago Fire being the destination. It makes sense since Chicago is close to New York as being the cities with the largest Polish populations in the US.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

June 3, 1977 Portland's Bobby Gross scored 25 points while center Bill Walton controlled the boards with 24 rebounds, enabling the Blazers to defeat the Sixers 110-104 in a crucial Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Philadelphia.

June 3, 1984 Magic Johnson handed out an NBA Finals record 21 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers beat Boston 137-104 in Game 3 of a championship series the Celtics would eventually win in seven games.

June 3, 1992 Host Chicago defeated Portland 122-89 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan, who finished with a game-high 39 points, set NBA Finals records for points scored in a half (35) and three-point field goals made in one half (6). After the sixth trey, Jordan turned to the midcourt TV camera and shrugged as if to say, "I guess everything's going in."

June 3, 1999 Utah's Karl Malone becomes the ninth player in NBA history to win the Maurice Podoloff trophy twice when he is named the league's MVP for the 1998-99 season. He previously won the award for his play during the 1996-97 season.