Brian Ching

Ching lost his father, Francis, to cancer on December 25, 1992, when he was 14 years old.{{cite news|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|title=For Dynamo's Ching, life all about overcoming odds|url=http://www.chron.com/default/article/For-Dynamo-s-Ching-life-all-about-overcoming-odds-2275428.php|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=17 November 2011}} Stephanie Whalen, Ching's mother, raised him and his two brothers as a single parent.{{cite news|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|title=Lady who built Brian Ching loves House that Ching Built|url=http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/05/lady-who-built-brian-ching-loves-house-that-ching-built/|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=13 May 2012|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203085745/http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2012/05/lady-who-built-brian-ching-loves-house-that-ching-built/|url-status=dead}} Ching did not play soccer until he was seven years old, agreeing to only if his mother would coach.

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 six assists.{{cite news|last=Gonzaga Athletics|title=Gonzaga's Brian Ching Inducted Into WCC Hall Of Honor|url=http://www.gozags.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&ATCLID=205171111|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=Gonzaga Athletics|date=4 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203021639/http://www.gozags.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26400&ATCLID=205171111|archive-date=2013-12-03|url-status=dead}} His junior year he was a second team All-ILH selection.

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.{{cite news|title=Bulls Alumni|url=http://www.hscbulls.com/BullsAlumni.htm|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201072159/http://www.hscbulls.com/BullsAlumni.htm|archive-date=1 December 2013|url-status=dead}} 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."

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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.spokaneshadow.com/stats.htm

| title = Shadow All-Time Stats Leaders

| access-date = December 15, 2013

| publisher = Spokane Shadow Soccer Club

| year = 2005

| author = Spokane Shadow

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061214200958/http://www.spokaneshadow.com/stats.htm

| archive-date = 2006-12-14

}} Ching was named the PDSL rookie of the year in 1998.{{Citation

| year =2013

| title =2013 USL Media Guide

| publisher =United Soccer Leagues

| page =152

| url =http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/2013%20USL%20Media%20Guide_Web.pdf

| access-date =December 15, 2013

| url-status =dead

| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131207053310/http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/2013%20USL%20Media%20Guide_Web.pdf

| archive-date =December 7, 2013

}}

Ching joined the Bulldogs for the 1996 season, and as a freshman played in 18 matches with five starts. He finished second on the team in scoring with 12 points on three goals and six assists. 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. 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. He earned All-WCC second-team honors.

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. Ching missed the entire 1998 season after surgery to repair injured meniscus in right knee.{{cite news|title=About Brian|url=http://www.brianching.com/about/|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=BrianChing.com}}

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. Despite that injury, Ching was ready for the Bulldogs season opener and went on to start 17 of 18 matches. He scored 13 goals and had 8 assists for 34 points. The 13 goals were third on the all-time GU single-season list, the 34 points second. 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. He earned All-WCC first-team honors.

His final season of 2000, Ching missed three matches with an injury but still scored eight goals and recorded 22 points. He was named All-WCC first team and earned All-Far West Region first-team honors. 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. Ching's 91 career points are still tied for second on the Gonzaga charts. With Ching, the Bulldogs were back-to-back co-champions of the West Coast Conference in 1997 and 1998.{{cite news|title=West Coast Conference Record Book|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/MSOCRecordBook.pdf|access-date=28 November 2013|newspaper=West Coast Conference|archive-date=22 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231027/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/2013-14/misc_non_event/MSOCRecordBook.pdf|url-status=dead}} Ching majored in accounting.

{{Rquote|right|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{{cite interview

|subject =Brian Ching

|interviewer =Sebastian Salazar

|title =The MLS Experience – 1-on-1 with Brian Ching: Part Two

|url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgZxtomJNpQ

|work =Houston Dynamo on YouTube

|location =Houston, Texas

|date =December 4, 2013

|access-date =December 16, 2013

}}}}

Ching began his professional career when the Los Angeles Galaxy drafted him as the 16th overall pick of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2001|title=MLS SuperDraft Tracker 2001|work=MLSsoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231029/https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2001|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/club/history/superdraft|title=LA Galaxy Draft History|work=lagalaxy.com|publisher=Los Angeles Galaxy|access-date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231028/https://www.lagalaxy.com/club/history/superdraft|url-status=dead}} 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. Ching was the first ever Hawaiian selected in the MLS draft.

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/club/alumni/roster|title=LA Galaxy Alumni Roster|work=lagalaxy.com|publisher=Los Angeles Galaxy|access-date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231033/https://www.lagalaxy.com/club/alumni/roster|url-status=dead}} Ching made his MLS debut against San Jose on April 7, 2001, as a member of the starting lineup.{{Citation

| url = http://www.lagalaxy.com/r20020213.html

| title = L.A. Galaxy Waive Brian Ching

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Los Angeles Galaxy

| year = 2002

| author = Los Angeles Galaxy Communications

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020817141705/http://www.lagalaxy.com/r20020213.html

| archive-date=August 17, 2002

}} During the 2001 season, Ching appeared in eight games (starting one) and recorded one goal and one assist.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/stats/season?season_year=2001&season_type=REG&group=GOALS&op=Search&form_id=mls_stats_individual_form|title=2001 LA Galaxy Statistics| work=lagalaxy.com| publisher=Los Angeles Galaxy|access-date=December 11, 2013}}

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.{{Citation

| url = http://mlsnet.com/special/opencup01/rd2_0627la.html

| title = Galaxy Crush Nashville in Second Round

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Major League Soccer

| year = 2001

| author = MLSNet.com

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010713085309/http://mlsnet.com/special/opencup01/rd2_0627la.html

| archive-date = July 13, 2001

| url-status = dead

}} Ching went the full 90 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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.mlsnet.com/special/opencup01/rd3_0711la.html

| title = Galaxy Advance to Open Cup Quarterfinals

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Major League Soccer

| year = 2001

| author = MLSNet.com

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010714174149/http://www.mlsnet.com/special/opencup01/rd3_0711la.html

| archive-date = July 14, 2001

| url-status = dead

}} 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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.mlsnet.com/content/01/mls1026opencup.html

| title = Galaxy Win First Open Cup Title

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Major League Soccer

| year = 2001

| author = MLSNet.com

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011119055227/http://www.mlsnet.com/content/01/mls1026opencup.html

| archive-date = November 19, 2001

| url-status = dead

}}

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.{{Cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/news/2001/09/26/stars_galaxy_ap/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011123132601/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/news/2001/09/26/stars_galaxy_ap/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 23, 2001|title=MetroStars use second-half outburst to take series lead| magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 11, 2013}} 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.{{Cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/news/2001/10/14/fire_galaxy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011107224724/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/news/2001/10/14/fire_galaxy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2001|title=L.A. up 4-1 in points against Chicago after 1-0 OT win| magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 11, 2013}} 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.{{Cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/2001/mls_cup/news/2001/10/21/mlscup_gamer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011109114802/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/mls/2001/mls_cup/news/2001/10/21/mlscup_gamer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2001|title=Golden goal lifts Quakes over Galaxy 2-1 in MLS Cup| magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=December 11, 2013}}

After signing Carlos Ruiz, the Galaxy waived Ching on February 13, 2002, to comply with the MLS roster limits. 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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.seattlesounders.net/PressReleases.asp?PressReleaseID=46

| title = Sounders Nab Brian Ching from MLS

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Seattle Sounders Professional Soccer Club

| year = 2002

| author = Bart Wiley

| url-status = usurped

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020613185505/http://www.seattlesounders.net/PressReleases.asp?PressReleaseID=46

| archive-date=June 13, 2002

}} Ching finished the 2002 season second in the A-League in scoring with 16 goals and eight assists, and was selected as a member of the A-League All-League first team.{{Citation

| url = http://www.seattlesounders.net/PressReleases.asp?PressReleaseID=177

| title = Four Sounders Receive All-League Honors

| access-date = December 14, 2013

| publisher = Seattle Sounders Professional Soccer Club

| year = 2002

| author = Bart Wiley

| url-status = usurped

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021206235027/http://www.seattlesounders.net/PressReleases.asp?PressReleaseID=177

| archive-date=December 6, 2002

}}

The first time the Earthquakes coaching staff 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.{{cite AV media

| people =Dominic Kinnear (speaker)

| title =Brian Ching Testimonial Announcement

| medium =YouTube

| url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKz8qbjSo8&t=13m50s

| access-date =December 18, 2013

| date =September 24, 2013

| time =13:50

| location =BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas

| publisher =Houston Dynamo

| quote =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.

}} 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. Ching began training with the Earthquakes the following January.{{Citation

| url = http://www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/022803release.htm

| title =San Jose Acquire Brian Ching in MLS SuperDraft

| access-date = December 18, 2013

| publisher = San Jose Earthquakes

| year = 2003

| author = San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030605105411/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/022803release.htm

| archive-date=June 5, 2003

}} 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{{Citation

| url = http://www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/021103release1.htm

| title =San Jose Acquire Brian Ching in MLS SuperDraft

| access-date = December 18, 2013

| publisher = San Jose Earthquakes

| year = 2003

| author = San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030605102844/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/021103release1.htm

| archive-date=June 5, 2003

}} and on February 28, 2013, they used that pick to draft Ching.

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.{{cite news|title=Brian Ching|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/brian-ching|access-date=18 December 2003|newspaper=Major League Soccer}} He played his first Earthquakes home game in the second leg against Municipal where he scored the first goal in the 35th minute. 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.

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 then-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.

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.

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. The San Jose Earthquakes finished the 2005 season with the best regular season record, clinching the Supporters' Shield.{{Citation

| url = http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history

| title = San Jose Earthquakes History

| publisher = San Jose Earthquakes

| access-date = December 18, 2013

}} 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

File:Houston-dallas.jpg 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.

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.

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.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=661315&sec=mls&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720235613/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=661315&sec=mls&cc=5901 |archive-date=2009-07-20 |title=Dynamo's Ching fined for anti-ref "tweet" - MLS - ESPN Soccernet}} 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.

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. 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.

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.{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Randy|title=Montreal Impact wants to build team the right way for MLS debut|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Montreal+Impact+wants+build+team+right+debut/5785812/story.html|access-date=May 16, 2012|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=November 29, 2011|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231030/https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Montreal+Impact+wants+build+team+right+debut/5785812/story.html|url-status=dead}} 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 preseason game against the Houston Dynamo.{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Randy|title=Impact sends Brian Ching to Houston for pick in 2013 draft|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Impact+sends+Brian+Ching+Houston+pick+2013+draft/6164243/story.html|access-date=May 16, 2012|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|date=February 16, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231026/https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Impact+sends+Brian+Ching+Houston+pick+2013+draft/6164243/story.html|url-status=dead}}

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.

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.{{Cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=2013-09-23|title=Brian Ching ready for retirement|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Brian-Ching-ready-for-retirement-4836327.php|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Chron|language=en-US}} 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,{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/match-recap-houston-dynamo-1-sporting-kansas-city-2

| title = Match Recap: Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting Kansas City 2

| work = Steve Brisendine

| publisher = Houston Dynamo

| access-date = December 19, 2013

| archive-date = January 22, 2023

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230122231034/https://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/match-recap-houston-dynamo-1-sporting-kansas-city-2

| url-status = dead

}} thus bringing an official end to Ching's 12-year MLS career.

File:BrianChing 20060410.jpg 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). 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.{{citation|title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany ™ Preliminaries|access-date=29 November 2013|date=18 August 2004 |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/preliminaries/preliminary=7761/matches/match=37988/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111041931/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/preliminaries/preliminary=7761/matches/match=37988/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2007|newspaper=FIFA}}{{citation|title=Ching's 89th Minute Tally Gives U.S. 1-1 Tie with Jamaica in World Cup Qualifier|access-date=29 November 2013|date=19 August 2004|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2004/08/chings-89th-minute-tally-gives-u-s-1-1-tie-with-jamaica-in-world-cup-qualifier.aspx|newspaper=USsoccer.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035629/http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2004/08/chings-89th-minute-tally-gives-u-s-1-1-tie-with-jamaica-in-world-cup-qualifier.aspx|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}{{citation|last=Cowles|first=Chris|title=U.S. breathes easier as late goal ties Jamaica|access-date=29 November 2013|date=18 August 2004 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/national/2004-08-18-us-jamaica_x.htm|newspaper=USA Today}}

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.

{{updated|December 18, 2013}}

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.

:Scores and results list United States' goal tally first

The Houston Dynamo re-signed Ching in March 2013 to serve as a player/coach in this his last year playing.{{Citation

| url = http://www.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2013-03-01/houston-dynamo-legend-brian-ching-signs-on-as-playercoach

| title = Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching signs on as player/coach

| work = Sporting News

|publisher = Sporting News

| date = March 1, 2013

| access-date = December 28, 2013

}} Under his last contract with the MLS club, Ching served the title of assistant coach.{{Citation

| url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130301/brian-ching-houston-dynamo.ap/

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234219/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130301/brian-ching-houston-dynamo.ap/

| url-status = dead

| archive-date = December 30, 2013

| title = Brian Ching to be player-coach for Houston Dynamo

| via = Associated Press

|magazine=Sports Illustrated

| date = March 1, 2013

| access-date = December 28, 2013

}}

On December 23, 2013, the Houston Dash named Ching as the inaugural managing director the NWSL franchise.{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/brian-ching-named-houston-dash-managing-director

| title = Brian Ching named Houston Dash managing director

| work = Houston Dash Communications

| publisher = Houston Dash

| access-date = December 26, 2013

| archive-date = July 9, 2015

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150709003540/http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/brian-ching-named-houston-dash-managing-director

| url-status = dead

}}{{citation|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|title=Brian Ching to be managing director of expansion Dash|access-date=December 26, 2013|date=December 23, 2013|url=http://www.chron.com/default/article/Brian-Ching-to-be-managing-director-of-expansion-5088465.php|newspaper=Houston Chronicle}} 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. 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.{{Citation

| url = http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/23/brian-ching-takes-new-role-in-houston-dynamo-family/

| title = Brian Ching takes new role in Houston Dynamo family

| work = Steve Davis

|publisher = NBC Sports

| date = December 23, 2013

| access-date = December 28, 2013

}} 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.

{{updated|December 28, 2012}}.

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

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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/09/houston-dynamo-celebrate-brian-ching%E2%80%99s-career-testimonial-match-bbva-compass-stadium

| title = Houston Dynamo to celebrate Brian Ching's career with Testimonial Match at BBVA Compass Stadium

| work = Houston Dynamo Communications

| publisher = Houston Dynamo

| access-date = December 18, 2013

| date = September 24, 2013

}} 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 and Ching scored five goals to close the curtain on his career.{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/match-recap-brian-ching-testimonial-match

| title = Match Recap: Brian Ching Testimonial Match

| work = Ben Crook

| publisher = Houston Dynamo

| access-date = December 18, 2013

| date = December 13, 2013

}}

{{football box

|date =December 13, 2013

|time = 7:30 p.m. CST

|team1 = Orange

|score = 6-4

|report =[http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/match-recap-brian-ching-testimonial-match Report]

|team2 = White

|goals1 = Ching {{goal|10||21||23||48|pen.|||69}}
Davis {{goal|41}}

|goals2 = Carr {{goal|8||57}}
Ralston {{goal|31}}
Galavis {{goal|46}}

|stadium = BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston

|attendance = 6,528

|referee = Ismail Elfath (United States)

}}

|valign="top"|

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

|-

|CB ||2||{{flagicon|USA}} Hunter Freeman || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|LB ||21 ||{{flagicon|USA}} Anthony Arena || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|RM||22||{{flagicon|USA}} Davy Arnaud || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|CM||27 ||{{flagicon|HON}} Oscar Boniek García || || {{suboff}}

|-

|CM||11||{{flagicon|USA}} Colin Clark || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|LM||19||{{flagicon|USA}} Juan Pablo Galavis || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|ST ||14||{{flagicon|USA}} Steve Ralston || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|ST ||3||{{flagicon|USA}} Calen Carr || || {{suboff|}}

|-

|colspan=3|Substitutes:

|-

|MF||7||{{flagicon|SCO}} John Spencer || || {{subon}}

|-

|MF||5||{{flagicon|USA}} Danny O'Rourke || || {{subon}}

|-

|colspan=3|Coaches/Inactive:

|-

|colspan=4|{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Reis

|-

|colspan=4|{{flagicon|USA}} Charlie Davies

|}

|}

{{Rquote|right|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}}

LA Galaxy

• U.S. Open Cup: 2001
• MLS Western Conference Championship: 2001

Seattle Sounders

• A-League Commissioner's Cup: 2002

San Jose Earthquakes

• MLS Cup: 2003
• MLS Supporters Shield: 2005
• MLS Western Conference Championship: 2003

Houston Dynamo

• MLS Cup: 2006, 2007
• MLS Western Conference Championship: 2006, 2007
• MLS Eastern Conference Championship: 2011, 2012

United States

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2007; runner-up: 2009

Individual

• MLS All-Star (6): 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• MLS Best XI (1): 2004
• MLS Comeback Player of the Year (1): 2004
• MLS Golden Boot (1): 2004
• MLS Goal of the Year (1): 2006
• A-League All-League First Team (1): 2002
• USL PDL Rookie of the Year (1): 1998
• MLS Cup MVP (1): 2006
• San Jose Earthquakes MVP (1): 2004
• Houston Dynamo MVP (1): 2008{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/history/awards|title=DYNAMO AWARDS|website=houstondynamo.com|access-date=June 16, 2018|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903165936/https://www.houstondynamo.com/history/awards|url-status=dead}}
• Houston Dynamo Golden Boot (3): 2008, 2009, 2010
• Houston Dynamo Humanitarian of the Year (2): 2010, 2013
• West Coast Conference Hall Of Honor: 2011

Each fall since 2012, Ching and Kroger honored members of the Houston community who were chosen as "Ching's Champions."{{Citation

| url = http://www.brianching.com/champs/

| title = Ching's Champions

| work = BrianChing.com.

| access-date = December 19, 2013

}} 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. In 2013, the five "champions" were able to secure over $9,000 of groceries and merchandise during the 250-second shopping spree.{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/chingschampions

| title = Ching's Champions

| work = Dynamo Charities

|publisher = Houston Dynamo

| access-date = December 19, 2013

}}

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.{{Citation

|url = http://www.houstonhabitat.org/chinghouse

|title = The House That Ching Built

|work = Houston Habitat for Humanity

|access-date = December 19, 2013

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131220044228/http://www.houstonhabitat.org/chinghouse

|archive-date = 2013-12-20

|url-status = dead

}} 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.

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.

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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/housethatchingbuilt

| title = The House That Ching Built

| work = Dynamo Charities

|publisher = Houston Dynamo

| access-date = December 19, 2013

}} 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.

On March 8, 2012, BBVA Compass announced Ching as their social-media ambassador to promote causes important to Ching, his team and the bank.{{Citation

| url = http://newsroom.bbvacompass.com/index.php?s=17606&item=128302

| title = BBVA Compass taps Brian Ching for social media

| work = BBVA Compass

| access-date = December 19, 2013

}} 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.

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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.plex.cc/Plex/testimonials.html

| title = PLEX Testimonials

| work = PLEX, INC.

| access-date = December 19, 2013

}}

PUMA was the official match boots provider for Ching.{{Citation

|url = http://about.puma.com/puma-signs-as-a-founding-partner-and-official-sponsor-of-womens-professional-soccer/?lang=en

|title = PUMA SIGNS AS A FOUNDING PARTNER AND OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER

|work = PUMA.com

|publisher = PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport.

|access-date = December 19, 2013

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131221201323/http://about.puma.com/puma-signs-as-a-founding-partner-and-official-sponsor-of-womens-professional-soccer/?lang=en

|archive-date = 2013-12-21

|url-status = dead

}} 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.{{Citation

| url = http://www.puma.com/football/news/puma-announces-the-winning-project-pink-charity

| title = PUMA announces the winning Project Pink charity!

| work = PUMA.com

| publisher = PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport.

| access-date = December 19, 2013

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131221201343/http://www.puma.com/football/news/puma-announces-the-winning-project-pink-charity

| archive-date = December 21, 2013

| url-status = dead

}}

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."{{Citation

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7Xg2BeLzt4

| title = Kickin it with Brian Ching 5 10 2009

| work = KHOU

| date = 12 September 2010

| publisher = YouTube

| access-date = December 13, 2013

}}{{Citation

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CdvOnRVqCU

| title = Kickin it with Brian Ching 6 20 2009

| work = KHOU

| date = 12 September 2010

| publisher = YouTube

| access-date = December 13, 2013

}}{{Citation

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okW2b79Tv-c

| title =Kickin' it with Brian Ching 11 8 2009

| work = KHOU

| date =12 September 2010

| publisher = YouTube

| access-date = December 13, 2013

}}

• Franchise player
• All-time Houston Dynamo roster

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Brian Ching}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|url=http://www.brianching.com/}}
• {{MLS player|brian-ching}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203033408/http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/mnt/c/brian-ching.aspx Brian Ching profile] at ussoccer.com
• {{FIFA player|199916}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{succession box

|title=Houston Dynamo captain

|before=Wade Barrett|after=Brad Davis

|years = 2010–2012}}

{{s-end}}

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|title= United States squads

|bg= white

|fg= #002868

|bordercolor= #BF0A30

|list1=

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}}

{{Navboxes

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| list1 =

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{{MLS Goal of the Year}}

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}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ching, Brian}}

Category:1978 births

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