Kick Off: Voting for AT&T All-Star Game opens | Kaka called up by Brazil

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

Friday Night Fever

Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes insists the team must cut out the mistakes in order to right the ship when D.C. United visit on Friday night (7 pm ET on UniMás in USA, MLS LIVE in Canada). They will also need to do it without suspended midfielder Roger Espinoza.

Exercise Your Right

Prepare your ballots, because AT&T MLS All-Star Game voting has officially begun.

Help Wanted

With Owen Coyle out as manager in Houston, MLSsoccer.com's Sam Stejskal weighs five candidates to be the next Dynamo boss.

Why The West Has Won

We offer up a few stat breakdowns to explain how Western Conference clubs have ruled early in the campaign. There are a couple of East vs. West match-ups this weekend with New England hosting the Seattle Sounders (Saturday at 7:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE), while Montreal welcome the LA Galaxy (Saturday at 8 pm ET on MLS LIVE).

Rear Axel

Colorado's 6-foot-7 central defender Axel Sjoberg is now enjoying his American dream at the top of MLS with the Rapids.

Happy To Be Here

Regardless of any national team controversies over playing in MLS, Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco says he's not going anywhere.

All Hope Lost?

Despite standing second in the Eastern Conference, are NYCFC already destined to miss the playoffs because of their poor home form?

Dropping Back

It looks as though Vancouver may soothe their selection crisis, by sliding midfielder Andrew Jacobson back into the heart of defense when Houston come to town on Saturday (6 pm ET on TSN in Canada and MLS LIVE in USA).

Travel Trials

The Oregonian talks to some Portland Timbers about the challenges presented by travel to away games in America. They'll have to rely on their experiences once more when they travel to Chicago on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE).

Ciman Backs MLS

While away on Belgium duty, Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman told reporters from his country that MLS is underrated by many in Europe.

Final Tune-Up

The US national team will enjoy one last dress rehearsal before Copa America with Bolivia's visit to Kansas City on Saturday (8 pm ET on FS1, UniMás, UDN).

Star Chart

ESPN FC has come up with three MLS players that look set for big showings at Copa America.

Copa Tickets

Orlando City star Kaka will be with Brazil at Copa America after all, as he was called into the squad by manager Dunga to replace injured attacker Douglas Costa. Meanwhile, FC Dallas midfielder Carlos Gruezo has seen his Copa place jeopardized by an injury suffered during Ecuador's tuneup friendly against the USMNT.

Growth Spurt

The Economist covers the recent popularity jumps enjoyed by soccer in America.

Gonzo, Pachuca Go Leg Up

With Omar Gonzalez playing one of his best games of the season, Pachuca posted a 1-0 win in the opening leg of their Liga MX Clausura final. Elsewhere in Mexico, Club America has transfer-listed fellow USMNT defender Ventura Alvarado.

Total Recall

With Atlanta United FC fans already clamoring for a Designated Player from south of the border, the local paper looks back at the best and worst of previous Mexican DP signings in MLS.

Tee-Vee It Up

Though Jozy Altidore will miss out on Copa America, he's ensured the people of Haiti won't; the US striker's foundation has helped secure TV broadcasts for the island nation making its first appearance in the showcase event.