Today marks the curtain call for Brian Ching of Dominic Kinnear’s Houston Dynamo for his contributions to the game of soccer and his club. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex. The list of accomplishments for Ching as a member of the Men in Orange is, to put in more succinct terms…extensive.
May 8, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Will Bruin (12) celebrates with forward Brian Ching (25) after scoring against D.C. United during the second half at RFK Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports
- 3x MLS Cup Champion (2003, 2006, 2007)
- 2005 Supporters’ Shield
- 2006 MLS Cup MVP
- 2004 MLS Golden Boot winner
- 6x MLS All-Star
- 82 MLS Regular Season goals (T-11th all-time in MLS)
- 69 Dynamo goals in all competitions (all-time leader)
- U.S. international (45 caps, 11 goals)
- Top 5 all-time in games played, games started, goals and assists in all competitions for Houston
- 12 year MLS career with LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo
From SB Nation, these are the two teams that will be taking part. * = denotes goalkeeper
| Orange Team | White Team |
| Brian Ching | Anthony Arena |
| Wade Barrett | Davy Arnaud |
| Michael Chabala | Bobby Boswell |
| Paul Dalglish | Calen Carr |
| Brad Davis | Colin Clark |
| Dwayne De Rosario | Jimmy Conrad |
| Kelly Gray | Charlie Davies |
| Nate Jaqua | Tyler Deric* |
| Brian Mullan | Landon Donovan* |
| Pat Onstad* | Hunter Freeman |
| Eddie Robinson | Juan Pablo Galavis |
| Craig Waibel | Danny O’Rourke |
| Chris Wondolowski | Steve Ralston |
| John Spencer |
Meanwhile, back on the first team, Brad Davis will be looking to make the USA Men’s National Team after appearing in five matched for the Nats in World Cup qualifying play. This season, Davis earned nine assists in 26 league matches for Houston.
Nov 9, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis (11) warms up before the MLS Eastern Conference Championship soccer game against the Sporting KC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“Trying to balance the national team with the Dynamo, for not having to do it before, people don’t realize how difficult it is,” Davis told MLSsoccer.com’s Darrell Lovell. “I didn’t even. I knew about the national team, but I didn’t know how difficult, how taxing it was.
“I go back and look at it each year, but for what I personally went through this year I don’t think it’s bad. Do I think I could’ve been better this year? Yeah, every year I think I could’ve been better. Overall, I think it was a positive year. I think it was balanced pretty well.
“I want to make sure that when I get in this January camp I want to be fit and ready to go. I think [Jurgen Klinsmann]’s got his idea of the group he wants to bring into the World Cup preparation camp. Once I knew I was back into the national team scene, this could be my last go-around with it, so I’m going to do everything in my power to go.”
Finally, the Dynamo announced that they have a National Women’s Soccer League affiliate, the Houston Dash. The Dash begin play next season. The NWSL is backed by the U.S. Soccer Federation, the Canadian Soccer Associaion and the Mexican Football Federation (FEMEXFUT). Other teams include Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.
“We are thrilled to have our very own NWSL franchise here in Houston,” said Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti to reporters. “It is an important addition to our sports landscape and will bring added value to our community.”
The Dash will be playing a 24-game schedule that includes 12 matches at BBVA Compass Stadium. The roster will be constructed through the allocation of players from the U.S., Canada and Mexico national teams; an expansion draft; the NWSL College Draft, set for Jan. 17; and Discovery signings (domestic and international).
“You look at the excitement that’s been generated here over the last few weeks around the discussion of this team is proof this can help grow the game,” Canetti told Lovell. “The response from the community has been fantastic. That is going to make soccer stronger and that’s great for the Dynamo and for MLS.
“We’ve got a couple of people that have stepped forward and put their name in the hat for this opportunity and some of them are real credible names in the landscape of United States soccer. We’re really early in the stage and in the next few days we’ll elevate those conversations and the goal is to have a coach named by Christmas.”
“Obviously, we will be putting some mechanisms in place with an expansion draft and a college draft, we’re working on details for those to have a proposal to allow them to put a roster together,” NWSL executive director Cheryl Bailey added. “In the next week or so, you’ll see we have a process we’ll lay out for how they can put their team together.”