Brian Ching named to all-star roster

rhino17 · Jul 18, 2010

Dynamo's Ching added to MLS All-Star roster

As a tribute to Brian Ching's strong season and brilliant career, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has picked the Dynamo icon as one of his two exclusive picks for the 2010 AT&T All-Star Game against Manchester United.
A day before the rest of the MLS All-Stars are announced, Garber revealed that Ching will be one of this year's two Commissioner's pick for the July 28 match at Reliant Stadium.
"It's so well deserved," Garber said in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle. "As part of our agreement with the union, I have two picks. Boy, it took me about five seconds to come to the decision that Brian Ching would be the first one.
"He's such a terrific guy, a great MLS player. He's been a terrific asset to both the league and also the sport of soccer in this country. It's not just for all the great things he's done on the field, but he's a real terrific representative of what is so wonderful about the sport off the field. It's just a real honor to have him join his teammates in the MLS All-Star Game."
Reached on his cell phone early Sunday morning while he spent time with his mother, Ching was honored by Garber's decision as he prepares to play in his fourth MLS All-Star Game.
"I guess to me it just feels good to be appreciated by the league and the commissioner for all the hard work I've put in over the years," Ching said. "I'm extremely happy to be selected to the All-Star team. I think it's going to be a great experience, a good time for the fans of Houston. With the excitement of the World Cup, I think this All-Star game is icing on the cake for a great summer of soccer."
A key member of the U.S. national team during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Ching's playing time has been limited this year because of a right hamstring strain he suffered against Real Salt Lake on April 1 in the second game of the season.
He recovered in time from that injury to earn an invitation for the final World Cup training session, but his fitness after rehab was a major reason U.S. coach Bob Bradley gave for cutting him.
A surprise omission from the U.S. national team headed to South Africa, Ching's already strong reputation grew further in the U.S. soccer community with the dignity and class he showed while candidly discussing his disappointment at being one of the last players cut. Although near tears while discussing Bradley's decision, Ching remained steadfast in his support of his national team members.
"I've met him so many times and have spoken to him so many times over the years, whether it's been at other all-Star games or the great game that he had against Chelsea, or certainly when I've run into him at national team games," Garber said. "I attend so many U.S. games and I've spoken to Brian quite a bit over the years, and I find him to be a really terrific young guy."
In the same way Roger Clemens embraced the role of Houston ambassador in July 2004 during Major League Baseball's All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park and the festivities surrounding the Midsummer Classic, Ching is leading the charge to promote MLS and the All-Star Game in his adopted hometown.
Whether committing to make an appearance next Sunday at Houston's first Soccer Film Festival at Angelika Film Center, serving as a referee at the Celebrity 7 v. 7 match at Discovery Green on July 27, playing in the Game on July 28 or hosting a fundraising postgame party the House of Blues, Ching will be busy during the All-Star Festivities.
"I just feel like I'm in a position to give back, and I enjoy giving back," Ching said. "It makes me feel good. It allows me to give back to people, to the fans who have given me so much over the years as far as support on the field, well wishes and things like that. I think that was one of the things that I enjoy about being a professional athlete is that relationship between the players and the fans."
At Ching's postgame party at The House of Blues downtown, the veteran forward hopes to raise $10,000 for the House That Ching Built, his season-long quest to raise enough money to build a home in Houston through Habitat for Humanity.
"We hope to raise $10,000 for the House that Ching Built, and in the process I'm getting close to getting done," he said. "After the party, we should pretty much have the funds to build a home for Houston's Habitat for Humanity for a family that's in need."
Ching, who scored eight goals last season to become the Dynamo's leading scorer for the third consecutive year, is the Dynamo's all-time leading scorer. He also was the MVP of the 2006 MLS Cup while leading the Dynamo to the league title in their first season in Houston.
He also led the attack in 2007 as the Dynamo repeated as MLS Cup champs. Although he has been limited to nine games (seven starts) over the first 16 games this regular season because of the right hamstring injury that he suffered April 1, he is tied with Brad Davis for the team lead in goals with three.
National team sensation Landon Donovan highlighted the MLS All-Star First XI that was announced last week, and the rest of the MLS All-Star team will be announced this Monday.
More than 45,000 tickets have been sold for the July 28 event, assuring a record crowd for an MLS All-Star Game that wasn't part of a doubleheader.
"I don't know that when we made the arrangement with Manchester United we ever thought that it would be a sellout, but certainly we're hoping for a big crowd, well over 40,000 people, which would be the largest stand-alone All-Star Game in our history," Garber said. "I'm not going to make any predictions on the size, but I know now we'll certainly be over 40,000, which will certainly set a record."
The Dynamo and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment are hoping for a sellout, and Ching is definitely doing his part to sell the matchup against the legendary Manchester United Red Devils.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/7113572.html

in other all-star news, notable Man U players who will not be making the trip include: Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Vidic, and Valencia among some others.

rhino17 · Jul 19, 2010

Brad Davis has also been added

REEKO_HTOWN · Jul 19, 2010

thanks for the bone MLS.

H-TOWNSFINEST · Jul 23, 2010

Only if Brian Ching could've made the World Cup roster . Ill be thinking what if, for the next 4 years.

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Brian Ching named to all-star roster

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REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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