FLORENCE, Italy -- United States-born forward Giuseppe Rossi was left off Italys final 23-man squad for the World Cup on Sunday

FLORENCE, Italy -- United States-born forward Giuseppe Rossi was left off Italys final 23-man squad for the World Cup on Sunday. Cheap Lebrons From China . Coach Cesare Prandelli apparently judged that Rossi hadnt fully recovered from his latest right knee injury in January. It was likely a difficult decision since Rossi has always been one of Prandellis favourite players. Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne was selected instead. Rossi played 71 minutes in Italys 0-0 draw with Ireland on Saturday but failed to make much of an impact. Rossi was also one of the final cuts by then-coach Marcello Lippi in 2010, although Lippi said last week that he regretted that decision. Now, Rossi will have to wait until 2018 -- when hell be 31 -- for a chance to play in the World Cup. Also cut from Prandellis 30-man preliminary squad were: forward Mattia Destro; Brazilian-born midfielder Romulo, who has been dealing with a muscle problem; and fullbacks Manuel Pasqual and Christian Maggio. Key midfielder Riccardo Montolivo was ruled out after breaking the tibia bone in his left leg against Ireland. Center back Andrea Ranocchia was selected as a 24th man to go to Brazil as a possible replacement for Andrea Barzagli, who has been fighting injury all season. Rossi was born in New Jersey to Italian parents and was offered a chance to play for the United States at an early age but he has always said it was his dream to play for the Azzurri. Rossi led Serie A with 14 goals in 17 matches with Fiorentina until he re-injured his right knee in January, sidelining him for four months. He returned a month ago but has not played a full 90 minutes since coming back and occasionally appeared hesitant against Ireland. Rossi initially tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during a match with Villarreal against Real Madrid in October 2011 and needed three operations before returning with Fiorentina in May 2013. Insigne scored twice when his Napoli club beat Rossis Fiorentina 3-1 in the Italian Cup a month ago. That was Rossis first match back. Besides sure starter Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Torino strike partners Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci were also chosen up front. Cassano made the squad following a resurgent season with Parma. After two years away from the national team, his appearance against Ireland was his first since the 2012 European Championship final. Immobile led Serie A with 22 goals in 33 appearances and Cerci is a reliable winger. Torino fullback Matteo Darmian, who made his Italy debut against Ireland and can play on either the right or the left, was also included, along with Argentine-born centre back Gabriel Paletta. In midfield, the newcomers are Paris Saint-Germains Marco Verratti and Parmas Marco Parolo. Verratti, in particular, shined against Ireland and is considered an eventual replacement for Andrea Pirlo. Four-time champion Italy opens its World Cup campaign against England in Group D on June 14 then faces Costa Rica on June 20 and Uruguay on June 24. The Azzurri play Luxembourg in Perugia on Wednesday then fly out to Brazil a day later. ------ Italy: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain). Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma). Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain). Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli). Wholesale Nike Shoes Clearance . -- Conner Bleackley got it done in regulation time and in the shootout. Buy Air Max 270 Black . THE MICHAEL JORDAN FLU GAME First this famous basketball moment. The story goes like this. “Game 5, known as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordans most memorable. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/cheap-paul-george-shoes.html . -- Billy Donovans bench came up big, bailing out top-seeded Florida in a tight game against what was supposed to be an overmatched opponent.BOSTON – The Maple Leafs have one more game before the New Year, but its already clear what their resolution for 2015 will be and it starts in the defensive zone. Toronto got progressively worse defensively as the months of 2014 passed by, relying with increasing, alarming and familiar frequency on their goaltending tandem. The club has allowed an average of 38 shots against in the past 10 games, outshot by nearly 11 per game in that span. Theyve survived some nights on the pads of Jonathan Bernier, who is expected to be available to return Wednesday against the Bruins after missing the past two games with the flu. I think Im ready to go, said Bernier, after a short stint on the ice at Northeastern University on Tuesday afternoon. It just depends on Randys decision now. It wont be a difficult decision for the head coach given the 26-year-olds recent performance. Bernier was perfect in his final start before the three-day Christmas break, stopping all 43 shots in a win over Dallas. He posted a .928 save percentage in the month of December, despite facing an average of 37 shots per game. The Leafs won six of those nine starts, but have stumbled recently with five losses in the past six games. Their defensive (andd coinciding possession) troubles have caught up to them, despite repeated calls for improvement. Cheap Air Max 95 Wholesale. . The shot clock usually doesnt lie, Bernier said. If they get 40-plus shots most of the nights, theyll win those games. Down with the flu since the early morning hours on Sunday, Bernier couldnt watch most of the past two defeats. The team hotel in Florida didnt get the game between the Leafs and Panthers – a 6-4 loss – though the middle frame of a 3-2 loss to the Lightning was available one night later. A product of the stingy Kings organization, Bernier has noticed a thing or two about whats ailed his second NHL club defensively and its tied to how little theyve had the puck, especially in the other end. I think the biggest thing is weve got to kill more time in their zone, he said. I think the biggest thing is weve got to cycle the puck more in their zone instead of just going for the rush game. I think weve got to spend more time wearing their [defence] down. When we play well, thats what we do. The Leafs have been the second worst possession team in December at 41 per cent and third worst overall this season. Even slight improvement there would be a small step toward a better 2015. ' ' '