In fact, Bologna didn’t use the term “loan,” but “transfer on a provisional basis.” So, for De Santis and co., it’s a case of try before you buy.

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.

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

“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.

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.

“We worked throughout the week to prepare the team as a staff and today it was my job to be on the sideline to encourage the team and to manage the rhythm,” Biello said to open his postgame comments. “Obviously we would have loved to win the game but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Overall I think there were a lot of positives from that game.”

The Brazilian’s conversion from the spot was a relief given he’d missed a pile of opportunities, especially in the first half. On the play, Camilo slotted the ball into the bottom left corner as Nick Rimando dived to the right side.

But, if you’re lamenting lost points, you need to take a step back and look at the game as whole. If not for TFC keeper Joe Bendik, who put in a performance that’s worthy of Player of the Week votes, the Union would have won this match by three or four goals.

And that means Canada and Jamaica could be playing in forecasted temperatures of 33 C — and that’s before the humidity.

While Toronto FC works on bringing in new players from Argentina, the rival Montreal Impact announced a loan deal to bring in 19-year-old midfielder Maximiliano Rodriguez from Argentinos Juniors.