Brian Ching (born May 24, 1978 in Haleiwa, Hawaii) is an American soccer player, who currently plays forward for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.
Ching played his college soccer at Gonzaga University, where he scored 34 goals and had 23 assists. In 2001 Ching was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy as the 16th pick in the MLS SuperDraft. That year for the Galaxy, he appeared in 8 games and scored one goal. In 2002, Brian was released by the Galaxy and signed by the Seattle Sounders of the A-League for whom he had played several games with in 2001, on loan from Los Angeles. Playing for the Sounders, he was ranked second in the A-League in scoring and was selected as a member of the A-League All-League team.
In February of 2003, Brian was acquired by the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2003 MLS Supplemental Draft. When Dwayne DeRosario suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2003 preseason, Brian was thrust into the starting forward role. Ching played solidly until August of 2003 when he ruptured his right Achilles' tendon causing him to miss the rest of the Earthquake's 2003 Championship season. In 2004, he re-gained a starting job and co-lead the league (with Eddie Johnson) in goals with 12. Brian was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year and to the league MLS Best XI for his efforts. In three years in MLS, Ching has scored 19 goals and added seven assists in league play.
Ching earned his first cap on May 26, 2003 against Wales and since he has been used by Bruce Arena in several US World Cup qualifiers. Brian is an avid surfer. He is the first (and currently only) Hawaii native to play in MLS or for the United States national team.
See also
Last updated: 06-22-2005 13:58:38
