Certainly, the early start didn’t help MLS. Bitter cold affected games in the north, from New York to Chicago. Snow postponed a match in Colorado.

Gagandeep Dosanjh’s future as an FC Edmonton player is still uncertain. But the University of British Columbia’s dynamic attacking midfielder has been nominated for the CIS athlete of the year award.

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Wednesday that the club had waived the Brazilian midfielder.

“Edmonton needs a franchise in Calgary,” said Petrone. “And Canada needs more teams. Calgary is obviously a market that the league wants to be in."

“Ben has been one of the top young players we have had come through our Residency program and Emmanuel is a raw talent who we are interested in seeing further development,” said Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie in a release issued by the club.

“This is a player I have wanted for a long time,” said FCE coach Colin Miller. “He is busy with the ball, and he will retain possession. He will get into the box and score some goals, as well. He’s a fresh face, which means more competition for places. There is no complacency at all on the team.”

The league, which found out earlier this year that it was no longer being sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer League, has taken its case to the dispute resolution body for sports in this country. The CSL stated in a release issued on Monday that a decision is expected by April 21.

Brad Davis played a key role in helping the Houston Dynamo extend its home unbeaten streak to 35 games. His assist and winning goal in a 2-1 decision over the Chicago Fire earned him the MLS Player of the Week honour.

Fleming has seen it before. When the U-17s went down to Panama in 2012 for preparation matches, training times were switched and, funny, the air conditioning in the Canadian dressing room was out of order.

And that opinion? That "minor league" would be overstating just how poor the league’s efforts were in communicating its product to its fans and, more importantly, to its potential fans.