MLS All-Star Game Picks Announced at 8 a.m. Thursday

The MLS All-Star Game XI (and actually another seven to round out the roster) will be picked at 8 a.m. Thursday from Toronto, site of the 4 p.m. July 24 game against East London's West Ham United of the English Premier League.

Coaches and general managers, fans, players, and media each had 25 percent of the vote to select the starting line-up.

New England Revolution and All-Star Coach Steve Nicol gets another five picks and Commissioner Don Garber two.

The announcement is live on mlsnet.com.

Here are the fans' votes for the team:
goalkeeper Greg Sutton (Toronto FC); defenders Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), and Jim Brennan (Toronto FC); midfielders David Beckham (Galaxy), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Amado Guevara (Toronto FC) and Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew); forwards Landon Donovan (Galaxy) and Danny Dichio (Toronto FC).

A bit of ballot stuffing going on there among Toronto fans? Hey, they're entitled.

Here are my selections: goalkeeper Matt Reis (New England Revolution); defenders Marvelle Wynne (Toronto FC); Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution) and Claudio Suarez (Chivas USA); midfielders David Beckham (Galaxy), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution) and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA); forwards Landon Donovan (Galaxy) and Luciano Emilio (D.C. United).

Somewhat annoying limitations on voting: clubs were required to nominate their players for the game at the season's outset. So no vote was possible for an Edson Buddle, for instance. Hopefully Nichol or Garber will pick him.

Yes, the Suarez vote is in recognition for his service to the league during his career (hey, the Oscars do it, why not me?).

Noted: MLS Wednesday officially allocated the 2009 All-Star Game to Salt Lake City. Is that close enough for a road trip with these gas prices?