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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 Wholesale Vans Shoes Ireland . Span, Danny Espinosa and Adam LaRoche had two hits apiece as Washington won the final two games of the series. The Nationals improved to 3-7 against Atlanta. They increased their division lead over the Braves to 1 1/2 games. Wholesale Vans Shoes For Sale . 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While this game or series isnt necessarily a referendum on the value of fourth lines, the Canadiens certainly benefitted from production lower down their forward depth chart.New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Tyreke Evans poured in 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans put together a strong fourth quarter to come away with a 104-93 victory over the still-struggling New York Knicks. Evans netted eight points and Omer Asik had seven during a final period in which the Pelicans outscored New York by a 27-20 count to pull away and sent the Knicks to a ninth consecutive loss and 10th in a row on the road. Evans was really good at attacking the basket, Pelicans head coach Monty Williams said. Asik finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Anthony Davis put up 18 points and eight boards in New Orleans second straight victory. Amare Stoudemire scored a season-high 26 points for New York, but Carmelo Anthony was held to a relatively quiet 17 and managed just two points in the fourth quarter. Its kind of like Groundhog Day at this point, Stoudemire said. After the game you have the same feeling. ... Its tough. J.R. Smiths 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer had the Knicks down just 77-73 heading into the fourth, but the Pelicans started the final frame strong to stretch the margin. Jrue Holiday began the period with a 3-point play and Austin Rivers knocked down a trey shortly afterward to stake New Orleans to an 83-73 lead. It was a 12-point advantage with under 8 1/2 minutes to go when Asik converted a Rivers give to put the Pelicanss up by an 87-75 score.dddddddddddd. The Knicks never got the deficit under nine points the rest of the way, with New Orleans shooting 50 percent from the floor and going 6-of-8 from the foul line for the fourth quarter. Neither team was ahead by more than five points during a tightly contested first half. New York owned a 52-50 edge late in the second quarter, but Holiday buried a pull-up jumper and fed Asik for a dunk with 18.2 seconds remaining to send New Orleans in front by two at the break. The Pelicans were able to create some distance in the third quarter, during which Davis amassed 11 points. An Asik slam and a Holiday layup had New Orleans ahead 68-61 with less than five minutes to go in the stanza, and Davis threw down a dunk with 2:25 left in the period for a 73-65 advantage. Game Notes New Orleans halted a five-game home losing streak to the Knicks and improved to 6-2 at Smoothie King Center this season ... Smith finished with 17 points, but went just 6-of-18 from the field ... Knicks forward Jason Smith, who spent the previous four seasons with the Pelicans, had four points in 22 minutes against his former team ... New Orleans has won 14 of its last 17 home games against Eastern Conference opponents ... The Pelicans outrebounded New York by a 43-30 margin and owned a 54-40 edge in the paint. ' ' '