VANCOUVER -- Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen was surprised to see star striker Jermain Defoe left off Englands 23-man World Cup squad, but he knows that snub could pay dividends in the long run for their Major League Soccer outfit. Defoe failed to make England manager Roy Hodgsons team announced Monday, instead being named to a seven-man standby list that will only be used in the event of injuries in the leadup to the tournament in Brazil. The 31-year-old Defoe is healthy, scoring goals in MLS and could well take out his frustration at being left out by Hodgson on opponents in North America. "You never like to take benefit from other peoples agony, if you know what I mean," Nelsen said Tuesday. "If Jermain stays with us, hes probably going to be motivated to prove a lot of people wrong, which I suppose is nice for us." That could come as early as Wednesday night when Toronto FC visits the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal. Toronto holds a 2-1 lead after a victory at home in the first leg last week. Even though its a boost for his team, Nelsen also couldnt hide his disappointment. "Obviously devastated for Jermain. Its surprising," he said. "I dont know how Roy Hodgson picks his team. Its a surprising decision -- gutted for the man. I know Ive played against all those guys and I know with 10, 15 minutes to go in a World Cup, I know who Id want with the ball at his feet in front of the net." Defoe said he was stunned not to be heading to Brazil after figuring into all but two of Hodgsons matchday squads prior to this announcement. "I was shocked, like you can imagine," Defoe said after training at B.C. Place Stadium. "Especially when youve been involved in every squad, and then for some reason youre not included. But (I) always remain positive and just continue doing what Im doing. Ive come over here and done exactly what I used to do at home and thats play well and score goals." A veteran of the 2010 World Cup who has scored 19 times in 55 games for his country, Defoe added that he didnt think his move from the English Premier League to MLS had anything to do with Hodgsons decision. "Ive been here two months. Does it really change much? I dont think so," he said. "I mentioned before the squad was announced that the manager, he knows most of the players, even before he was manager. He knows the players. I think the fact of me being here two months, that shouldnt play a factor at all." England is bringing four strikers to the World Cup, including Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert. Defoe said that despite this disappointment, he will remain available for England selection. "Im not going to retire (from the national team) just because someone doesnt put me in a squad," he said. "I would never do that. I would never turn my back on my country because I still feel like Ive got a lot to offer. The games Ive played and just being involved with England over the years, its been great. "I think my record speaks for itself and Ill just try and continue to work hard and enjoy my football." Defoe will remain with Toronto FC and only join up with England if called upon. He added that Hodgson told him: "He wants to go with the young kids. Thats it." Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley, who was named to the U.S. 30-man provisional roster and will leave to meet up with the American camp after Wednesdays game in Vancouver, said he was disappointed for his club teammate. "He and I have developed a really good relationship since weve come (to Toronto), both on the field and off the field," said Bradley, who along with Defoe, joined Toronto FC in a big-money off-season deal. "Ive seen first-hand what a great player he is, what a great person he is and I know how much it meant to him, so on a personal level I know were all really disappointed for him. "Hes taken it exactly how youd expect -- committed and ready to keep going, keep fighting, keep scoring goals here and do as much as he can to help us win in Toronto." With about a month to go before the World Cup, Defoe said he will continue to work hard in MLS and see what happens. "Its still a long way to go. You never know what happens, people get injured, but at the same time if it doesnt happen, then it doesnt happen," he said. "I wish the team good luck, all the young players that are in the squad, I wish them good luck because Ive had that experience, been at a World Cup, and its the best feeling ever. Its special." 20:21ET 13-05-14 Custom Atlanta Falcons Jerseys .The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U. Qadree Ollison Falcons Jersey . As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcon...o-Jones-Jersey/. -- Crystal Webster avoided elimination at the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar Olympic pre-trial curling tournament with an 8-5 win over Amber Holland on Thursday. Kendall Sheffield Womens Jersey . Jimmy Howard made 44 saves and Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals, leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. Tony Gonzalez Womens Jersey .C. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Danny Granger, Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem are still not ready to play and will miss Wednesday nights game against the Charlotte Hornets.DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets have played pretty well against the NBAs best teams. Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. It almost cost them again against the Milwaukee Bucks. A late charge and a fortunate bounce saved Denver from another disappointing ending. Wilson Chandler scored seven of his 24 points in the final 1:52 and the Nuggets held on for a 110-100 victory over the Bucks 110-100 on Wednesday night. Ty Lawson had 18 points and 13 assists and Randy Foye scored 20 points for the Nuggets, who avoided another embarrassing home loss to a sub-.500 team. "It would have been a sad day had we lost this one, especially when Milwaukee was down and on the road," Lawson said. Denver has stepped up against good teams this season and played some of its worst games against losing clubs, especially at home. The Nuggets, who were 38-3 at Pepsi Center last season, watched Utah, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Charlotte leave Denver with unlikely victories. Coming off a buzzer-beating 116-115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, Denver coach Brian Shaws fears of a letdown were realized when Milwaukee scored the first seven points of the game. "For whatever reason, not bringing the same energy," he said. "We dont look forward to the matchups when those marquee names out there. We are not going to meet the challenge. We have to find a way to bring it consistently regardless who our opponent is." Larry Sanders had career-high 25 points and a season-best 15 rebounds for short-handed Milwaukee, and Khris Middleton also scored 25. The Bucks had nine available players and then lost guard Luke Ridnour to back tightness in the second quarter. Ersan Ilyasova played a little more than four minutes in the second half and guard Nate Wolters played 27 minutes despite fighting off a cold and a sore back most of the game. "We just came up short," Milwaukee coach Larry Drew said. "Finally just ran out of bodies." Milwaukee was trying forr its first two-game winning streak of the season after Mondays thrilling win over New York.dddddddddddd Brandon Knights three-pointer with 1.4 seconds left gave the Bucks the win, and they brought the momentum into Wednesdays game. "We had it. We were pretty high to start the game and we battled well," Sanders said. "They just made some good plays down the stretch to get them over the hump. They were real aggressive attacking the basket and it worked in their favour." Even with the short bench, Milwaukee stayed right with Denver for much of the game. Sanders tipped in a missed shot to give the Bucks a 57-53 lead early in the third quarter. The Nuggets then buckled down. Five straight points by Lawson sparked a 14-3 run that lifted Denver to a seven-point lead. Kenneth Faried and J.J. Hickson combined for the Nuggets next 10 points as the lead grew to 77-65 midway through the third. Hickson finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Foye hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets an 82-70 after three. Quincy Miller scored five quick points at the start the fourth, helping increase the lead to 18. Milwaukee went on a 17-5 run to get within 99-96 with 2:13 remaining but Chandler scored four straight to make a seven-point game with 1:28 left. Chandlers basket that made it 103-96 bounced off the front of the rim and off the top of the backboard before falling in. "I just shot it short," he said. "I thought when I released it I was good, it was just short." Milwaukee couldnt answer the late run. "You figure a team like that would give up, but give them credit, they kept fighting and made it a game," Chandler said. NOTES: Foye had a career-high four blocked shots. ... Milwaukee G Gary Neal (back spasms) did not play. ... The Nuggets did not hold a shootaround Wednesday morning because of extremely cold temperatures and an extended team event Tuesday. ... Milwaukee F Caron Butler (sprained left ankle) did not make the trip to Denver. ' ' '