Brian Ching
Brian Ching speaks to the crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston in December 2013 after his testimonial match
Personal information
Full name Brian Ching[1]
Date of birth (1978-05-24) May 24, 1978[2][3]
Place of birth Hale'iwa, Hawaii, United States[2][3]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2][3]
Position(s) Forward[2][3]
Youth career
1995–1996 Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama
1996 Honolulu Bulls
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 Gonzaga Bulldogs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Spokane Shadow 32 (21)
2001 LA Galaxy 8 (1)
2001 → Seattle Sounders (loan) 6 (3)
2002 Seattle Sounders 25 (16)
2003–2005 San Jose Earthquakes 56 (25)
2006–2013 Houston Dynamo 169 (56)
Total 296 (122)
International career
2003–2010 United States 45 (11)
Managerial career
2013 Houston Dynamo (assistant)
2013–2019 Houston Dash (managing director)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
Winner2007 United States
Runner-up2009 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Brian Ching (born May 24, 1978) is an American former professional soccer player who played for twelve years in Major League Soccer and represented the U.S. national team for eight years.

Ching's professional career began when he was the 16th pick overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, making him the first Gonzaga player and the first player from his native Hawaii selected in the MLS draft. After winning the U.S. Open Cup with Los Angeles, Ching was released from the team and played with the second division Seattle Sounders. He returned to first division soccer when the San Jose Earthquakes acquired him in the 2003 MLS Supplemental Draft. He won an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with the Earthquakes, collected the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award, the MLS Golden Boot, and was named to the MLS Best XI.

In 2006, Ching relocated to Houston when the Earthquakes became the Houston Dynamo. He led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and four MLS finals overall. A six-time MLS All-Star, Ching retired from professional soccer in 2013 as Houston Dynamo's all-time leading scorer.

Ching made his international debut May 26, 2003, becoming the first Hawaiian-born player to represent the United States. He became the first Hawaiian to be named to the U.S. roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, although he did not see any playing time. His only international silverware is the 2007 Gold Cup. Off the field, Ching is a pillar in the Houston community where he is partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for underprivileged families in the Houston area through fundraising efforts under his program "The House that Ching Built".

Early life

Ching lost his father, Francis, to cancer on December 25, 1992, when he was 14 years old.[4] Stephanie Whalen, Ching's mother, raised him and his two brothers as a single parent.[5] Ching did not play soccer until he was 7, agreeing to only if his mother would coach.[4]

Ching attended Kamehameha Schools Kapālama High School in Honolulu and played in the soccer team in his junior and senior year. He was named as the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's MVP during his senior year with 14 goals and 6 assists.[6] His junior year he was a second team All-ILH selection.[6]

During his last year of high school Ching played with the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club, a club team, and traveled to tournaments on the mainland where he was noticed by the Gonzaga coaching staff.[2][7] He went on to play for the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's soccer program under head coach Einar Thorarinsson, whom Ching credits "for believing in him and providing him the skills to grow and mature to be able to compete at the next level."[6]

During his collegiate career, Ching played for the Spokane Shadow of the Premier Development Soccer League (where Gonzaga coach Einar Thorarinsson was also the coach of the Shadow) and set a total of 21 goals during his stint in the 1998 and 1999 seasons.[8] Ching was named the PDSL rookie of the year in 1998.[9]

Collegiate career

Ching joined the Bulldogs for the 1996 season, and as a freshman played in 18 matches with five starts.[6] He finished second on the team in scoring with 12 points on 3 goals and 6 assists.[6] As a sophomore, he appeared in 16 matches with 14 starts and was second on the team behind West Coast Conference Player of the Year and teammate Jeff McAllister with 10 goals and 23 points, ranking fifth in the WCC in both categories.[6] The 10 goals were second on the all-time Gonzaga single-season list and his 23 points were third on the all-time GU list.[6] He earned All-WCC second-team honors.[6]

His junior season was cut short by a knee injury suffered in the season opener, then re-injured in the next match, and received a medical redshirt year.[6] Ching missed the entire 1998 season after surgery to repair injured meniscus in right knee.[2][10]

The injury bug continued to plague Ching in the summer of 1999 when he was kicked in the cheek and eye while playing for the Spokane Shadow of the USL, the injury requiring surgery.[6] Despite that injury, Ching was ready for the Bulldogs season opener and went on to start 17 of 18 matches.[6] He scored 13 goals and had 8 assists for 34 points.[6] The 13 goals were third on the all-time GU single-season list, the 34 points second.[6] He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 tie against 11th-ranked Washington Huskies, got the insurance goal in a 3–1 victory over 7th-ranked Stanford and had a pair of goals against 4th-ranked University of San Diego in 4–2 home victory.[6] He earned All-WCC first-team honors.[6]

His final season of 2000 Ching missed three matches with an injury but still scored 8 goals and recorded 22 points.[6] He was named All-WCC first team and earned All-Far West Region first-team honors.[6] Ching finished his Gonzaga career with 34 goals, which still ties him third on the all-time GU list, and his 23 assists are a Gonzaga career record.[6] Ching's 91 career points are still tied for second on the Gonzaga charts.[6] With Ching, the Bulldogs were back-to-back co-champions of the West Coast Conference in 1997 and 1998.[11] Ching majored in accounting.[2][10]

Club career

Los Angeles Galaxy (2001) and Seattle Sounders (2001–2002)

My first year in the league, I'm on the team with Cobi Jones, Cienfuegos, Alexi Lalas, Robin Fraser, Kevin Hartman, Matt Reis, Sasha Victorine, and Brian Mullan. For those guys to all be on one team my first year in the league, now that I look back on it, that was pretty special. Significant guys that have done a lot for U.S. soccer, to be on that team was a gift for me.

— Brian Ching on his first year in MLS[12]

Ching began his professional career when the Los Angeles Galaxy drafted him as the 16th overall pick of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.[13][14] Los Angeles chose midfielder Brian Mullan and forward Isaias Bardales Jr. in the first round, 9th and 11th respectively, before picking Ching with their fourth pick in the second round.[13] Ching was the first ever Hawaiian selected in the MLS draft.[6]

Ching joined a roster that included U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame players Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, and Paul Caligiuri, Mexico's top World Cup scorer Luis Hernández, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Ezra Hendrickson, Danny Califf, Kevin Hartman and was coached by Sigi Schmid. Ching wore the number 9 jersey with Los Angeles.[15] Ching made his MLS debut against San Jose on April 7, 2001, as a member of the starting lineup.[16] During the 2001 season, Ching appeared in 8 games (starting one) and recorded one goal and one assist.[17]

Ching started and played the full match in his U.S. Open Cup debut, a 5–0 victory over the Nashville Metros at Titan Stadium on June 27, 2001, in the second round.[18] Ching went full ninety again in Los Angeles' 3–1 victory over the Seattle Sounders Select where he provided the assist to Isaias Bardales' 81st-minute goal, the Galaxy's third of the match.[19] Those would be Ching's only appearances in the 2001 tournament as the Los Angeles Galaxy went on to win their first U.S. Open Cup trophy in franchise history.[20]

Ching made his MLS Cup Playoffs debut in a 4–1 loss in game 2 of the quarterfinals against the New York-New Jersey MetroStars on September 27, 2001, after coming on as an 88th minute substitution for Cobi Jones.[21] Ching appeared for a second time in the playoffs in the Galaxy's 1–0 overtime win in game 2 of the MLS semifinal series against the Chicago Fire on October 14, 2001, entering the game in the 91st minute for Sasha Victorine.[22] The Galaxy advanced to the 2001 MLS Cup final and tied 1–1 with the San Jose Earthquakes in regulation before Dwayne De Rosario's golden goal in the 96th minute ended the match.[23]

After signing Carlos Ruiz, the Galaxy waived Ching on February 13, 2002, to comply with the MLS roster limits.[16] One month later, he signed with the Seattle Sounders of the A-League where scored four goals and provided one assist in seven games the previous year when he was on loan from Los Angeles.[24] Ching finished the 2002 season 2nd in the A-League in scoring with 16 goals and 8 assists, and was selected as a member of the A-League All-League first team.[25]

San Jose Earthquakes (2003–2005)

The first time the Earthquakes coaching staff first got a good look at Brian Ching was facing him in the July 17, 2002 third round match of the U.S. Open Cup when San Jose defeated the Seattle Sounders 4-3 after sudden death extra time.[26] Kinnear, assistant coach at the time, and head coach Frank Yallop were impressed with how Ching matched up with Earthquakes defender Eddie Robinson, considered one of the best defenders in MLS at the time.[26] Ching began training with the Earthquakes the following January.[27] On February 11, 2003, San Jose traded Devin Barclay to D.C. United in exchange for the first overall pick in the 2003 MLS Supplemental Draft[28] and on February 28, 2013, they used that pick to draft Ching.[27]

Ching made his official Earthquakes debut in Guatemala City on March 16, 2003, playing a full match in a 4-2 Champions' Cup loss to C.S.D. Municipal.[29] He played his first Earthquakes home game in the second leg against Municipal where he scored the first goal in the 35th minute.[29] Ching made his first Earthquakes start in the MLS regular season on April 12, 2003, at Colorado Rapids and scored 53 seconds into the game. He would miss five games due to a right hamstring strain before returning to the starting lineup to score two goals for his first multi-goal game in MLS on July 2, 2003, at the MetroStars. He played 90 minutes in his first encounter against his old club Seattle Sounders on August 5 but the 1–0 loss eliminated San Jose from the 2003 Open Cup.[29]

Ching left the August 16, 2003 game at New England Revolution with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He underwent surgery on August 19 and missed the rest of the 2003 season as the San Jose Earthquakes went on to win the 2003 MLS Cup. Ching scored a career-high six goals and two assists during 2003. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week for April 12 and May 3, 2003.[29]

Ching returned from injury in the 2004 Champions' Cup as a sub in both legs against eventual champion L.D. Alajuelense. Ching made his first start of the season on May 1 vs. D.C. United. Ching finished with a career-high 12 goals in MLS, sharing the MLS Golden Boot with Eddie Johnson. He was named to the MLS Best XI and recognized as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He also finished as the Earthquakes scoring champion and Most Valuable Player for the 2004 season.[29]

In 2005, Ching scored seven goals in 16 games and tallied a career-high five assists in MLS play. He registered a goal or an assist in five straight games before missing 15 matches with a hamstring injury. He ended the regular season having recorded a goal or assist in six straight games.[29] The San Jose Earthquakes finished the 2005 season with the best regular season record, clinching the Supporters' Shield.[30] After the most successful regular season in team history with an 18-4-10 record and 64 points, the Earthquakes were placed on hiatus on December 15, 2005, with the franchise moving to Houston.[30]

Houston Dynamo (2006–2013)

Along with the rest of his Earthquakes teammates, Ching moved to Houston for the 2006 season. He scored four goals in Houston's first-ever game on April 2, 2006, against the Colorado Rapids, becoming the seventh player in MLS history to score four goals in a single game. Ching found out he had been selected to U.S. world cup team on May 2 and celebrated with a game-deciding goal the following MLS fixture, May 6, against rival club FC Dallas. Ching missed six MLS games while he was with the U.S. national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. His bicycle kick on September 30 vs. D.C. United, which would later be awarded the MLS Goal of the Year Award, was the deciding goal in a 1–0 win that secured Houston's first ever MLS playoff spot.[29]

In the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs, Ching scored the series-winning goal with a header in stoppage time of the 2–0 win vs. Chivas USA in the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals. He was named MVP of the MLS Cup 2006 after scoring the tying goal in the 114th minute, less than one minute after New England Revolution had taken a 1–0 lead, and scoring the winning penalty kick in the penalty kick shootout.[29]

In 2007, Ching ended the season tied for the team lead with seven goals despite missing 10 games entirely due to injuries and national-team call-ups. He contributed in the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs with two playoff goals but sat out the 2007 MLS Cup final after straining his calf in the Western Conference final. He led Houston's comeback from a 2-0 aggregate deficit in the second leg of the Western Conference semifinal vs. FC Dallas on November 2, setting up Stuart Holden's goal in the 67th minute and then scoring himself from a Dwayne De Rosario through ball in the 72nd minute to tie the series. In extra time, of that game, he scored from close range in the 97th minute to give Houston the lead for good.[29]

Ching was a staple in the Dynamo lineup during international competition. In the 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup he set up the series-winning goal against Puntarenas F.C. when his header hit the post and Kelly Gray scored on the rebound. Ching scored the opening goal in the semifinal first leg vs. C.F. Pachuca on March 15, heading in a Craig Waibel cross. In the semifinal second leg at Estadio Hidalgo on April 5, he set up the first Houston goal by keeping the ball in on the sideline, leading to Brian Mullan's goal and later scored in the 79th minute to give Houston a 4-3 aggregate lead before Pachuca rallied to win in extra time. Ching also participated in the 2007 Superliga, playing in all three group stage matches. He set up goal just 11 seconds into match vs. Monarcas Morelia on July 29, passing to Joseph Ngwenya for the fastest goal in Dynamo history. Ching scored the only goal in 1–0 win vs. D.C. United on August 1 and hit the post with the fourth penalty kick in the Dynamo's semifinal shootout loss vs. Pachuca on August 14.[29]

Ching dribbles by two FC Dallas defenders in a match at Robertson Stadium in April 2008

During the 2008 season, Ching established team and personal records with 13 goals in the regular season and five assists in 25 games. Ching ranked fifth in the league in goals. In the team's second visit to San Jose since relocating to Houston, Ching scored a game-tying goal in second half and celebrated by pointing to the Dynamo crest in front of San Jose fans. In the final CONCACAF Champions' Cup he set up two of Houston's three goals in the quarterfinal second leg vs. CSD Municipal. In the 2008 Superliga he appeared in three games, starting the semifinal vs. Pachuca and the championship game at New England Revolution. In the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, Ching appeared as a substitute at San Francisco F.C. and started vs. C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo, scoring the game's only goal to help Dynamo reach the quarterfinals.[29]

Ching's performance during the 2009 season earned him Dynamo's Golden Boot for the third straight year with eight goals and three assists. He became seventh Dynamo player to make 100th starts for the club in all competitions and assisted on Cam Weaver's game-tying goal in the 80th minute of a 2–1 loss at Columbus Crew on September 13. In the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League Ching played all 90 minutes of both legs of the quarterfinal series vs. C.F. Atlante. He appeared in five games of the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, making three starts. In the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs, he netted the game-winning goal in 95th minute of a 1–0 overtime win vs. Seattle, swiveling to volley a shot into the left side netting for his 50th Dynamo goal in all competitions.[29]

Ching ran into disciplinary trouble during the 2009 campaign. In July 2009, Ching was fined $500 by MLS for his comments regarding the officiating of the Dynamo's 2–1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC (a game Ching did not play in due to participation in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup). On his Twitter page, Ching referred to the referee as "a joke" and "a cheat" for calling a Fredy Montero shot cleared off the line a goal.[31] Ching scored the opening goal from a Brad Davis free kick in 3–2 win vs. Real Salt Lake on August 19 but was ejected in the 82nd minute for hard foul, the first red card in the 162 games of his MLS career. He was ejected again in next MLS game, a 0–0 tie vs. Los Angeles Galaxy on October 18, for raising his hand to the face of an opponent.[29]

In 2010, Ching shrugged off injuries and national team disappointment to score seven goals and add three assists in 20 games, making 16 starts, to win the team's Golden Boot for the fourth straight year. His August 21 bicycle kick against Chicago was named ESPNSoccernet.com's MLS Goal of the Year and Dynamo Goal of the Year. He took over as the Dynamo team captain after the retirement of Wade Barrett. He was named as Don Garber's Commissioner's Pick for the 2010 MLS All-Star Game in Houston, a game where he came on as second-half substitute and scored with a header to cut the deficit to 2-1 vs. Manchester United F.C.[29] The Dynamo missed the playoffs in 2010.

Ching was limited to 1,242 minutes in 20 appearances due to injury in 2011, the lowest minute total of his Houston career, but still tied for team lead with five goals. He started all four matches the Dynamo took part in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, scoring a goal and adding an assist, to help lead the Dynamo back to the MLS Cup final. He started and set up the game-winning goal with left-footed through ball in 2-1 first-leg win at Philadelphia Union and scored the game-winning goal with header from a Brad Davis free kick in a 1–0 win the second-leg, scoring the final MLS goal at Robertson Stadium. Ching started the Eastern Conference championship match at Sporting Kansas City and closed the night by hoisting the trophy as team captain after the 2–0 win. He made his second career start in an MLS Cup final at Los Angeles, who denied the Dynamo the title with a narrow 1–0 victory.[29]

Montreal Impact, return to Houston and retirement (2011–2013)

Ching was left exposed by Houston in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft and was selected by expansion side Montreal Impact less than a week after playing in the MLS Cup final.[32] Ching was traded back to Houston on February 16, 2012, for a first-round draft pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, after training with Montreal for about a month, coincidentally playing a pre-season game against the Houston Dynamo.[33]

Ching started opening day on for the Dynamo for the sixth time in seven years and nearly scored at Chivas USA when his first-touch volley off a long cross from Brad Davis hit inside of post and caromed away for near goal. Ching made his 200th MLS appearance (136th with Dynamo) in 3–1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on June 10. Ching made his 150th Dynamo start in all competitions against D.C. United on April 28, the 4th Dynamo to reach this milestone. Ching drew and converted a penalty in the 83rd minute on June 30 vs. Philadelphia, his second goal of the year and first at BBVA Compass Stadium. The goal against Philadelphia was his 20th career game-winning goal. He would go on to set a career-high with 30 games in 2012 regular season, tying his career-high of five assists.[29]

Ching signed a deal in early 2013 to return to the Dynamo as a player-coach and later announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2013 season.[34] Ching officially announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2013 Major League Soccer season on September 24, 2013, although he played his final professional minutes in a 4–1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, September 8, 2013. He made two more appearances on the match day squad, his last being in a CONCACAF Champions League game on September 25, 2013, but was an unused substitution.

Ching did not feature in the Dynamo's 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs run as he was not called up to the matchday squad for any of the playoff games. The Dynamo were eliminated by Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference championship game on November 23, 2013,[35] thus bringing an official end to Ching's 12-year MLS career.

International career

Ching training with the U.S. national team in 2006

Although having a Chinese background, and being contacted by the Chinese Football Association to play for the Chinese team, Ching still earned his first cap with the U.S. national team on May 26, 2003, as a substitute in a friendly match against Wales at Spartan Stadium (home stadium of Ching's club at the time, San Jose Earthquakes).[6] He is the first Hawaiian and the second Chinese-American (after Mark Chung) to play for the United States. Ching scored his first international goal, an equalizer in the 88th minute, in a World Cup qualifier 1–1 tie against Jamaica in Kingston on August 18, 2004.[36][37][38]

On May 2, 2006, Ching was named to the U.S. men's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany but did not make an appearance in the tournament.

He scored a goal in a 2–0 US CONCACAF Gold Cup victory over Trinidad and Tobago on June 9, 2007. He drew a penalty in the box of the second half of the Gold Cup Final against Mexico. Landon Donovan converted the penalty, tying the game at one. The USA won 2–1 after Benny Feilhaber's game winner.

Ching was called in to the USA side to face Barbados in the first round of CONCACAF World cup Qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. He then scored two goals in the US team's largest victory ever, 8–0.

On May 11, 2010, Ching was named to the preliminary U.S. men's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa but did not make the final 23-man roster.

Career statistics

Club

As of December 18, 2013[2][10]
Club Season League[nb 1] Playoffs[nb 2] Cup[nb 3] Continental[nb 4] Total
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Los Angeles Galaxy 2001 811200201—1212
Total 8112002010001212
Seattle Sounders 2001 (loan) 631———631
2002 25168200210—29178
Total 3119920021000035209
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 15620001002101872
2004 2512420031120032135
2005 1675210000—1885
Total 562511410411410682812
Houston Dynamo 2006 21112430100—26142
2007 207232100063226125
2008 2513520000091233147
2009 198331000071129104
2010 2073—0003 0 02073
2011 2051411000—2462
2012 30554000003103765
2013 14010002003001901
Total 1695622207230032652246929
Career total 2641014328821122367533911852

Note that:

  • Cells marked with an em dash (—) indicate the player did not participate in that competition because the club did not qualify, was eliminated, or the player was no longer with the club before the start of the competition.
  • In competitions where the player has zero appearances, the club qualified and played in that competition and the player was registered and eligible to play. Player did not appear due to injury or was not selected by the coach.

Notes

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 2003[39]10
2004[40]42
2005[41]60
2006[42]92
2007[43]51
2008[44]74
2009[45]111
2010[46]21
Total4511

International goals

Scores and results list United States' goal tally first
Result Competition Location Opponent Score Result Competition
01. August 18, 2004 Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica  Jamaica
1 – 1
1 – 1
02. October 9, 2004 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, USA  El Salvador
1 – 0
2 – 0
03. February 19, 2006 Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, USA  Guatemala
2 – 0
4 – 0
04. May 26, 2006 Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, USA  Venezuela
1 – 0
2 – 0
05. June 9, 2007 Home Depot Center, Carson, USA  Trinidad and Tobago
2 – 0
2 – 0
06. June 15, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, USA  Barbados
3 – 0
8 – 0
07. June 15, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, USA  Barbados
8 – 0
8 – 0
08. September 10, 2008 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, USA  Trinidad and Tobago
2 – 0
3 – 0
09. June 21, 2008 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., USA  Cuba
4 – 1
6 – 1
10. July 8, 2009 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., USA  Honduras
2 – 0
2 – 0
11. February 24, 2010 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, USA  El Salvador
1 – 1
2 – 1

Management career

The Houston Dynamo re-signed Ching in March 2013 to serve as a player/coach in this his last year playing.[47] Under his last contract with the MLS club, Ching served the title of assistant coach.[48]

On December 23, 2013, the Houston Dash named Ching as the inaugural managing director the NWSL franchise.[49][50] Ching manages the day-to-day duties on both the business and technical sides under the supervision of Dash and Dynamo team president Chris Canetti.[49] The role shares similar responsibilities as the general manager tag, with the addition of branding Ching as "the face of the team" so that he can gin up sales and awareness by making himself publicly available as the face of the organization.[50][51] While his focus will be primarily with the Dash, Ching will also advise Canetti and head coach Dominic Kinnear as needed on the technical side with the Dynamo.[49]

Managerial statistics

As of December 28, 2012.

Note: Only regular season matches are shown for the MLS teams

Team From To Record
PWLDWin %
Houston Dynamo (assistant) March 2013 December 2013 34 14 11 9 041.18
Houston Dash (managing director) December 2013 January 2019 0 0 0 0 !—
Total 34 14 11 9 041.18

Testimonial match

On September 24, 2013, the Houston Dynamo and Dynamo Charities announced a Brian Ching Testimonial Match to celebrate the career of the retiring forward, with proceeds from the match to benefit Ching's charitable initiative, The House That Ching Built.[52] The match, which took place on December 13, 2013, featured historical Dynamo players as well as Ching's old teammates from other MLS clubs and the U.S. national team. Ching's Orange Team won 6–4 with the Dynamo forward scoring five goals to close the curtain on his career.[53]

Orange6-4White
Ching 10', 21', 23', 48' (pen.), 69'
Davis 41'		 Report Carr 8', 57'
Ralston 31'
Galavis 46'
Attendance: 6,528
Orange
White
GK18Canada Pat Onstaddownward-facing red arrow
RB16United States Craig Waibeldownward-facing red arrow
CB4United States Ryan Cochranedownward-facing red arrow
CB7United States Chris Wondolowskidownward-facing red arrow
LB24United States Wade Barrettdownward-facing red arrow
RM9United States Brian Mullandownward-facing red arrow
CM2United States Eddie Robinsondownward-facing red arrow
CM11United States Brad Davis
LM17United States Mike Chabaladownward-facing red arrow
ST14Canada Dwayne De Rosariodownward-facing red arrow
ST25United States Brian Chingdownward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutes:
GK24United States Tyler Dericupward-facing green arrow
MF6United States Kelly Grayupward-facing green arrow
FW8Scotland Paul Dalglishupward-facing green arrow
FW33United States Dominic KinnearYellow card 20'upward-facing green arrow
FW21United States Nate Jaquaupward-facing green arrow
Coaches/Inactive:
United States Stuart Holden
United States Corey Ashe
United States Ricardo Clark
GK20United States Landon Donovan
RB12United States Jimmy ConradYellow card 47'downward-facing red arrow
CB32United States Bobby Boswelldownward-facing red arrow
CB2United States Hunter Freemandownward-facing red arrow
LB21United States Anthony Arenadownward-facing red arrow
RM22United States Davy Arnauddownward-facing red arrow
CM27Honduras Oscar Boniek Garcíadownward-facing red arrow
CM11United States Colin Clarkdownward-facing red arrow
LM19United States Juan Pablo Galavisdownward-facing red arrow
ST14United States Steve Ralstondownward-facing red arrow
ST3United States Calen Carrdownward-facing red arrow
Substitutes:
MF7Scotland John Spencerupward-facing green arrow
MF5United States Danny O'Rourkeupward-facing green arrow
Coaches/Inactive:
United States Matt Reis
United States Charlie Davies

Man of the Match:
United States Brian Ching (Orange)

Match rules

  • 70 minutes (35 minute halves)
  • Unlimited substitutions.

Honors

My legacy? I just want to be known as a hardworking guy who overachieved and is a winner. I think there's always been more talented people out there and whatnot. But I've accomplished a lot, more than I ever thought I would, because of my desire and my desire to compete.

— Brian Ching in an interview with the Houston Chronicle[4]

Club

LA Galaxy

Seattle Sounders

San Jose Earthquakes

Houston Dynamo

International

United States

Individual

Off the field

Social Causes

Ching's Champions

Each fall since 2012, Ching and Kroger honored members of the Houston community who were chosen as "Ching's Champions."[55] The Ching's Champions initiative was started by Ching and Kroger as a way to pay tribute to those members of the Houston community who perform selfless acts for others. Each of the winners gets to take part in a shopping spree with Ching at a Houston-area Kroger.

Eight champions were selected in 2012 from the group of nominees and each winner received a Ching's Champions medal and a four-minute shopping spree at Kroger. The 2012 winners collected over $7,700 worth of groceries.[55] In 2013, the five "champions" were able to secure over $9,000 of groceries and merchandise during the 250-second shopping spree.[55][56]

The House that Ching Built

In 2009, Ching made a commitment to give back to his adopted community by raising money to build an affordable home through Houston Habitat for Humanity.[57] With the support of Dynamo Charities and MLS W.O.R.K.S., Ching has raised $75,000 to sponsor the build through personal appearances, events, individual giving and corporate partnerships.[57]

The funds raised exceeded Ching's initial goal and allowed Houston Habitat to upgrade the home with green features, including solar panels and a solar hot water heater through a grant from Green Mountain Energy. The Milby Park build was completed in 2010 and welcomed the Urbano family with a home dedication in May 2011.[57]

Along with the announcement of the testimonial match to be played in honor of his retirement at the end of the 2013 season, Ching committed to fundraise $85,000 to build a "green" house for another local Houston family in need.[58] Almost half of the donations for the 2013 project were provided by Dynamo owners Anschutz Entertainment Group, Brenner Sports & Entertainment and Golden Boy Sports & Entertainment.[58]

Endorsements

On March 8, 2012, BBVA Compass announced Ching as their social-media ambassador to promote causes important to Ching, his team and the bank.[59] Among other things like charity work and appearances, Ching uses Facebook and Twitter to encourage his followers to contribute to "Building a Better Houston", BBVA Compass’ community-service initiative with the Dynamo.[59]

PLEX is the performance center of Ching and other athletes like fellow Dynamo alumni Stuart Holden, NFL quarterback and Katy product Andy Dalton, and NFL defensive end Julius Peppers.[60]

PUMA was the official match boots provider for Ching.[61] As one of PUMA's sponsored Major League Soccer players, Ching kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2011 in limited-edition Project Pink v1.11 boots, showing support for his female counterparts during the Dynamo's home game on October 1 versus the Chicago Fire.[62]

Television

Ching hosted his own sports segment on KHOU, "Kickin' It with Brian Ching, on which he offered up advice on everything soccer from becoming a professional soccer player to befriending the StairMaster."[63][64][65]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: United States" (PDF). FIFA. March 21, 2014. p. 32. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 10, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Brian Ching". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Brian Ching Bio, News, Stats". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Ortiz, Jose de Jesus (17 November 2011). "For Dynamo's Ching, life all about overcoming odds". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  5. ↑ Ortiz, Jose de Jesus (13 May 2012). "Lady who built Brian Ching loves House that Ching Built". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Gonzaga Athletics (4 March 2011). "Gonzaga's Brian Ching Inducted Into WCC Hall Of Honor". Gonzaga Athletics. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Bulls Alumni". Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club. Archived from the original on 1 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  8. ↑ Spokane Shadow (2005), Shadow All-Time Stats Leaders, Spokane Shadow Soccer Club, archived from the original on 2006-12-14, retrieved December 15, 2013
  9. ↑ 2013 USL Media Guide (PDF), United Soccer Leagues, 2013, p. 152, archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2013
  10. 1 2 3 "About Brian". BrianChing.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "West Coast Conference Record Book" (PDF). West Coast Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  12. ↑ Brian Ching (December 4, 2013). "The MLS Experience – 1-on-1 with Brian Ching: Part Two". Houston Dynamo on YouTube (Interview). Interviewed by Sebastian Salazar. Houston, Texas. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "MLS SuperDraft Tracker 2001". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ "LA Galaxy Draft History". lagalaxy.com. Los Angeles Galaxy. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  15. ↑ "LA Galaxy Alumni Roster". lagalaxy.com. Los Angeles Galaxy. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  16. 1 2 Los Angeles Galaxy Communications (2002), L.A. Galaxy Waive Brian Ching, Los Angeles Galaxy, archived from the original on August 17, 2002, retrieved December 14, 2013
  17. ↑ "2001 LA Galaxy Statistics". lagalaxy.com. Los Angeles Galaxy. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ MLSNet.com (2001), Galaxy Crush Nashville in Second Round, Major League Soccer, archived from the original on July 13, 2001, retrieved December 14, 2013
  19. ↑ MLSNet.com (2001), Galaxy Advance to Open Cup Quarterfinals, Major League Soccer, archived from the original on July 14, 2001, retrieved December 14, 2013
  20. ↑ MLSNet.com (2001), Galaxy Win First Open Cup Title, Major League Soccer, archived from the original on November 19, 2001, retrieved December 14, 2013
  21. ↑ "MetroStars use second-half outburst to take series lead". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  22. ↑ "L.A. up 4-1 in points against Chicago after 1-0 OT win". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Golden goal lifts Quakes over Galaxy 2-1 in MLS Cup". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  24. ↑ Bart Wiley (2002), Sounders Nab Brian Ching from MLS, Seattle Sounders Professional Soccer Club, archived from the original on June 13, 2002, retrieved December 14, 2013
  25. ↑ Bart Wiley (2002), Four Sounders Receive All-League Honors, Seattle Sounders Professional Soccer Club, archived from the original on December 6, 2002, retrieved December 14, 2013
  26. 1 2 Dominic Kinnear (speaker) (September 24, 2013). Brian Ching Testimonial Announcement (YouTube). BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas: Houston Dynamo. Event occurs at 13:50. Retrieved December 18, 2013. 2002 Open Cup game, Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes. It was the first time we really got a good look at Brian Ching and we felt that Eddie Robinson, at the time, was the most physical and dominating center back in MLS. I thought Brian gave him a good little run around, and a good little throw down every once in a while. It was one of the best physical match-ups I've seen in a soccer match. After the game, the one thing we spoke about is how can we get this guy to come and play for us. We made a trade to get Brian in the 2003 Supplemental Draft. Little did I know, in 2003, how much success that draft would bring us and I think it goes down, possibly, as one of the best trades ever made in Major League Soccer.
  27. 1 2 San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations (2003), San Jose Acquire Brian Ching in MLS SuperDraft, San Jose Earthquakes, archived from the original on June 5, 2003, retrieved December 18, 2013
  28. ↑ San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations (2003), San Jose Acquire Brian Ching in MLS SuperDraft, San Jose Earthquakes, archived from the original on June 5, 2003, retrieved December 18, 2013
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Brian Ching". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 18 December 2003.
  30. 1 2 San Jose Earthquakes History, San Jose Earthquakes, retrieved December 18, 2013
  31. ↑ "Dynamo's Ching fined for anti-ref "tweet" - MLS - ESPN Soccernet". Archived from the original on 2009-07-20.
  32. ↑ Phillips, Randy (November 29, 2011). "Montreal Impact wants to build team the right way for MLS debut". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  33. ↑ Phillips, Randy (February 16, 2012). "Impact sends Brian Ching to Houston for pick in 2013 draft". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  34. ↑ Ortiz, Jose de Jesus (2013-09-23). "Brian Ching ready for retirement". Chron. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  35. ↑ "Match Recap: Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting Kansas City 2", Steve Brisendine, Houston Dynamo, archived from the original on January 22, 2023, retrieved December 19, 2013
  36. ↑ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ Preliminaries", FIFA, 18 August 2004, archived from the original on November 11, 2007, retrieved 29 November 2013
  37. ↑ "Ching's 89th Minute Tally Gives U.S. 1-1 Tie with Jamaica in World Cup Qualifier", USsoccer.com, 19 August 2004, archived from the original on 3 December 2013, retrieved 29 November 2013
  38. ↑ Cowles, Chris (18 August 2004), "U.S. breathes easier as late goal ties Jamaica", USA Today, retrieved 29 November 2013
  39. ↑ "2003 Lineups". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  40. ↑ "2004 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  41. ↑ "2005 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  42. ↑ "2006 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  43. ↑ "2007 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  44. ↑ "2008 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  45. ↑ "2009 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  46. ↑ "2010 MNT Statistics". ussoccer.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  47. ↑ "Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching signs on as player/coach", Sporting News, Sporting News, March 1, 2013, retrieved December 28, 2013
  48. ↑ "Brian Ching to be player-coach for Houston Dynamo", Sports Illustrated, Associated Press, March 1, 2013, retrieved December 28, 2013
  49. 1 2 3 "Brian Ching named Houston Dash managing director", Houston Dash Communications, Houston Dash, archived from the original on July 9, 2015, retrieved December 26, 2013
  50. 1 2 Ortiz, Jose de Jesus (December 23, 2013), "Brian Ching to be managing director of expansion Dash", Houston Chronicle, retrieved December 26, 2013
  51. ↑ "Brian Ching takes new role in Houston Dynamo family", Steve Davis, NBC Sports, December 23, 2013, retrieved December 28, 2013
  52. ↑ "Houston Dynamo to celebrate Brian Ching's career with Testimonial Match at BBVA Compass Stadium", Houston Dynamo Communications, Houston Dynamo, September 24, 2013, retrieved December 18, 2013
  53. ↑ "Match Recap: Brian Ching Testimonial Match", Ben Crook, Houston Dynamo, December 13, 2013, retrieved December 18, 2013
  54. 1 2 3 "DYNAMO AWARDS". houstondynamo.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
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  56. ↑ "Ching's Champions", Dynamo Charities, Houston Dynamo, retrieved December 19, 2013
  57. 1 2 3 "The House That Ching Built", Houston Habitat for Humanity, archived from the original on 2013-12-20, retrieved December 19, 2013
  58. 1 2 "The House That Ching Built", Dynamo Charities, Houston Dynamo, retrieved December 19, 2013
  59. 1 2 "BBVA Compass taps Brian Ching for social media", BBVA Compass, retrieved December 19, 2013
  60. ↑ "PLEX Testimonials", PLEX, INC., retrieved December 19, 2013
  61. ↑ "PUMA SIGNS AS A FOUNDING PARTNER AND OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER", PUMA.com, PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport., archived from the original on 2013-12-21, retrieved December 19, 2013
  62. ↑ "PUMA announces the winning Project Pink charity!", PUMA.com, PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport., archived from the original on December 21, 2013, retrieved December 19, 2013
  63. ↑ "Kickin it with Brian Ching 5 10 2009", KHOU, YouTube, retrieved December 13, 2013
  64. ↑ "Kickin it with Brian Ching 6 20 2009", KHOU, YouTube, retrieved December 13, 2013
  65. ↑ "Kickin' it with Brian Ching 11 8 2009", KHOU, YouTube, retrieved December 13, 2013
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