Brian Ching

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Brian Ching
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 (age 45)[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
Winner 2007 United States
Runner-up 2009 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

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

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

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 seven years old, 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 six 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

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 three goals and six 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

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 eight 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 eight 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 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.[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

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 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.[25]

San Jose Earthquakes (2003–2005)

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.[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

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 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.[29]

Ching returned from injury in the

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

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

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]

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

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

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

Houston Dynamo.[33]

Ching started opening day on for the Dynamo for the sixth time in seven years and nearly scored 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.

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

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

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
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Los Angeles Galaxy
 2001 8 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 1 — 12 1 2
Total 8 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 12 1 2
Seattle Sounders 2001 (loan) 6 3 1 — — — 6 3 1
2002 25 16 8 2 0 0 2 1 0 — 29 17 8
Total 31 19 9 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 35 20 9
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 15 6 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 18 7 2
2004 25 12 4 2 0 0 3 1 1 2 0 0 32 13 5
2005 16 7 5 2 1 0 0 0 0 — 18 8 5
Total 56 25 11 4 1 0 4 1 1 4 1 0 68 28 12
Houston Dynamo
 2006 21 11 2 4 3 0 1 0 0 — 26 14 2
2007 20 7 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 6 3 2 26 12 5
2008 25 13 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 2 33 14 7
2009 19 8 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 7 1 1 29 10 4
2010 20 7 3 — 0 0 0 3 0 0 20 7 3
2011 20 5 1 4 1 1 0 0 0 — 24 6 2
2012 30 5 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 37 6 5
2013 14 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 19 0 1
Total 169 56 22 20 7 2 3 0 0 32 6 5 224 69 29
Career total 264 101 43 28 8 2 11 2 2 36 7 5 339 118 52

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

  1. ^ Includes Major League Soccer and A-League
  2. ^ Includes MLS Cup Playoffs and A-League Playoffs
  3. U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship
  4. CONCACAF Champions League, and North American SuperLiga

International

National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2003[39] 1 0
2004[40] 4 2
2005[41] 6 0
2006[42] 9 2
2007[43] 5 1
2008[44] 7 4
2009[45] 11 1
2010[46] 2 1
Total 45 11

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
Q 2006 World Cup
02. October 9, 2004 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, USA  El Salvador
1 – 0
2 – 0
Q 2006 World Cup
03. February 19, 2006
Pizza Hut Park, Frisco
, USA 		 Guatemala
2 – 0
4 – 0
Friendly
04. May 26, 2006 Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, USA  Venezuela
1 – 0
2 – 0
Friendly
05. June 9, 2007
Home Depot Center, Carson
, USA 		 Trinidad and Tobago
2 – 0
2 – 0
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
06. June 15, 2008
Home Depot Center, Carson
, USA 		 Barbados
3 – 0
8 – 0
Q 2010 World Cup
07. June 15, 2008
Home Depot Center, Carson
, USA 		 Barbados
8 – 0
8 – 0
Q 2010 World Cup
08. September 10, 2008
Toyota Park, Bridgeview
, USA 		 Trinidad and Tobago
2 – 0
3 – 0
Q 2010 World Cup
09. June 21, 2008 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., USA  Cuba
4 – 1
6 – 1
Q 2010 World Cup
10. July 8, 2009 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., USA  Honduras
2 – 0
2 – 0
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
11. February 24, 2010 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, USA  El Salvador
1 – 1
2 – 1
Friendly

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
P W L D Win %
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 and Ching scored five goals to close the curtain on his career.[53]

7:30 p.m. CST
Orange6-4White
Ching 10', 21', 23', 48' (pen.), 69'
Davis 41'		 Report Carr 8', 57'
Ralston 31'
Galavis 46'
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
Attendance: 6,528
)
Orange
White
GK 18 Canada Pat Onstad downward-facing red arrow
RB 16 United States Craig Waibel downward-facing red arrow
CB 4 United States Ryan Cochrane downward-facing red arrow
CB 7 United States Chris Wondolowski downward-facing red arrow
LB 24 United States Wade Barrett downward-facing red arrow
RM 9 United States Brian Mullan downward-facing red arrow
CM 2 United States Eddie Robinson downward-facing red arrow
CM 11 United States Brad Davis
LM 17 United States Mike Chabala downward-facing red arrow
ST 14 Canada Dwayne De Rosario downward-facing red arrow
ST 25 United States Brian Ching downward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutes:
GK 24 United States Tyler Deric upward-facing green arrow
MF 6 United States Kelly Gray upward-facing green arrow
FW 8 Scotland Paul Dalglish upward-facing green arrow
FW 33 United States Dominic Kinnear Yellow card 20' upward-facing green arrow
FW 21 United States Nate Jaqua upward-facing green arrow
Coaches/Inactive:
United States Stuart Holden
United States Corey Ashe
United States Ricardo Clark
GK 20 United States Landon Donovan
RB 12 United States Jimmy Conrad Yellow card 47' downward-facing red arrow
CB 32 United States Bobby Boswell downward-facing red arrow
CB 2 United States Hunter Freeman downward-facing red arrow
LB 21 United States Anthony Arena downward-facing red arrow
RM 22 United States Davy Arnaud downward-facing red arrow
CM 27
Oscar Boniek García
 downward-facing red arrow
CM 11 United States Colin Clark downward-facing red arrow
LM 19 United States Juan Pablo Galavis downward-facing red arrow
ST 14 United States Steve Ralston downward-facing red arrow
ST 3 United States Calen Carr downward-facing red arrow
Substitutes:
MF 7 Scotland John Spencer upward-facing green arrow
MF 5 United States Danny O'Rourke upward-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

  • 2002

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]

Chicago Fire.[62]

Television

Ching hosted his own sports segment on

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. ^
    Houston Dynamo
    . Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "Brian Ching Bio, News, Stats". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u 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. United Soccer Leagues, 2013, p. 152, archived from the original
    (PDF) on December 7, 2013, retrieved December 15, 2013
  10. ^ a b c "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. Houston Dynamo on YouTube
    (Interview). Interviewed by Sebastian Salazar. Houston, Texas. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "MLS SuperDraft Tracker 2001". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  14. Los Angeles Galaxy. Archived from the original
    on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  15. Los Angeles Galaxy. Archived from the original
    on January 22, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  16. ^
    Los Angeles Galaxy, archived from the original
    on August 17, 2002, retrieved December 14, 2013
  17. 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.
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brian Ching.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Brian Ching.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Houston Dynamo
captain
2010–2012 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brian_Ching&oldid=1216149828"