The gimmick got Di Vaio to the All-Star Game. But is it really all that more gimmicky than the homer-laden fan votes that we so often see decide All-Star selections in all the major sports?

“This is a great opportunity for Caleb to continue his development and we look forward to seeing the progress he’ll make,” said Whitecaps’ coach Martin Rennie in a release issued by the club.

But, for a team that is currently 13 points out of the playoffs, is shedding a hopeful young prospect the right thing to do? Why bring in aging players for a playoff push that, if successful, would be considered nothing short of miraculous?

The Canadian Soccer Association confirmed Tuesday that forward Simeon Jackson, who came on as a sub in Sunday’s shocking Gold-Cup opening loss to Martinique, has left the team. The former Norwich City striker, who is unattached, is off to Europe to pursue a “club commitment” there. Jackson’s departure has the blessing of current Canadian men’s national-team coach Colin Miller.

But, next season, he wants to be terrorizing NASL defenders. He wants to remain in Ottawa, but make the move up to the full pro ranks with the Fury’s expansion side, which begins NASL play in 2014.

In a 2-0 win over Seattle, the Whitecaps’ first win over a Cascadia rival in MLS, Knighton made a series of sensational saves. He made a one-handed stab to rob Zach Scott off a set piece. And, his double-save on Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins saw him dash out of goal to make the first stop, then scramble across the box to get a piece of the second shot.

And Johnson was the only Canadian content (Canadian player or member of a Canadian team) on the Fan XI, announced by MLS on Sunday.

Kenny Miller and Darren Mattocks scored Vancouver’s goals, but goalkeeper Brad Knighton stole the show with several high-end saves, especially in a first half in which he made five of them.

What Miller does now is that Martinique recently beat the Portland Timbers U-23 side by a 2-1 count, and that it is a good technical side. Steve Gustan and Stephane Abaul scored for Martinique against Portland’s youth side. Abaul plays for one of Martinique’s most recognized teams, Club Franciscain.

This time it was a late first-half free kick effort which proved to be the eventual equalizer in a 1-1 away draw against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.