All-Star races head down to the wire

With just three days remaining in the fan voting, Los Angeles Galaxy teammates David Beckham and Landon Donovan remain the top two vote-getters for the 2008 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, while other races are too close to call as they head down the stretch.

Toronto FC fans have done their part and Greg Sutton is the overwhelming leader among goalkeepers. But the battle for second is heating up as Jon Busch of Chicago and Matt Reis are separated by the slimmest of margins.

Frankie Hejduk of the Columbus Crew has all but wrapped up the top spot among defenders, but Toronto FC teammates Marvell Wynne and Jim Brennan are neck and neck for second. Jimmy Conrad of the Kansas City Wizards has moved comfortably ahead of LA's Abel Xavier, Marco Velez from TFC and New England's Michael Parkhurst, who are nearly in a dead heat for fifth.

After Beckham, Chicago Fire designated player Cuauhtemoc Blanco is the clear-cut second choice among midfielders, but the fight for third in this horse race might end up in a photo finish between TFC's Amado Guevara and Houston's Dwayne De Rosario, who scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Chelsea FC in the 2006 Sierra Mist All-Star Game.

And just a handful of votes separate Columbus playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Maurice Edu from Toronto.

Toronto's Danny Dichio is the clear second choice at forward behind Donovan, the Golden Boot leader with 11 goals and six assists in 10 games. Juan Pablo Angel of the Red Bulls, who was named the MVP of the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star Game, is third, followed closely by Columbus' Alejandro Moreno. After Jozy Altidore of the Red Bulls is Jeff Cunningham, yet another TFC standout.

Fans, who are able to cast up to 10 votes per day, can still get in last-minute votes by visiting www.MLSnet.com. The voting closes Wednesday. The online fan balloting will comprise one quarter of the All-Star First XI selections, with coaches and general managers (25 percent), players (25 percent) and media (25 percent) all getting a say in who is named to the First XI, which will consist of one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards.

Those selected will participate in the 13th annual MLS All-Star game and take on West Ham United of the English Premier League at BMO Field in Toronto, July 24 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised in the U.S. and Canada on ESPN2, Telefutura and CBC Sports.