Former Gonzaga University soccer star Ching glad to be back in Houston

CARSON, Calif. – The drama involving a former Gonzaga University soccer standout was best summarized last month by his once and current teammates.

“Ching-sanity,” proclaimed members of the Houston Dynamo when forward Brian Ching – the club’s captain and all-time leading scorer – returned from the Montreal Impact, which selected him from Houston in Major League Soccer’s expansion draft in November before trading him back.

Ching’s appearance as a starter in last Sunday’s season opener against Chivas USA culminated three months of negotiation, maneuvering and emotional upheaval preceding that trade.

   “To be back with the guys is pretty special,” said Ching, one of two players remaining from Houston’s first squad in 2006. “It’s where I’ve always wanted to end my career, so I’m extremely happy to have the opportunity to do that.”

    Ching almost retired in November, when the Impact made him its first choice in the expansion draft. Before the draft, Ching said he would retire rather than leave Houston.

That pronouncement – combined with Ching’s age (33), salary ($412,500 in 2011) and recent history of injuries – motivated the Dynamo to make Ching available in the draft.

“We did take a gamble, and that was my decision,” Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. “We did not want to lose him. The first thing we talked about was trying to find a way to bring Brian back.”

Meanwhile, Impact coach Jesse Marsch persuaded Ching not to retire. Ching reported in January and accompanied the Impact for preseason training in Mexico and California.

Ching’s only game action came against the Dynamo in a preseason match Feb. 8. By then, Ching was coming to terms with the idea of playing in Montreal.

“It grew on me,” he said. “I loved the guys on the team. The staff was great. The city was great. The fans were fantastic.”

Yet, in many ways, Ching’s heart remained in Houston.

“I was pretty sure the Dynamo were working to get me back,” he said. “Not knowing anything weighs on you.”

Ching knew Feb. 12 when Marsch told him in a private meeting that both teams were close to a trade. Ching left for Houston that night, though the trade had yet to be concluded.

“I couldn’t train with Houston, because the deal wasn’t done yet,” Ching said. “I wanted to train, so I asked if I could go back to Houston to train with my buddy at his gym.”

As Ching trained, the Dynamo received permission from the Impact, the league office and the players’ union to restructure his contract to fit under the team’s salary cap.

Ching agreed to reduce his salary by nearly 50 percent, so Montreal sent him back Feb. 16 for a conditional draft pick.

“We tried to make it work,” Marsch said. “Brian’s desire to be back in Houston was still very strong, even considering that I think he really enjoyed being here.”

When Ching returned Feb. 17, nearly two dozen camera operators recorded his first practice with the Dynamo.

“When he stepped into the locker room, nobody really missed a beat,” said midfielder Brad Davis, nominated for MLS’s most valuable player award last year. “It never really felt like he was gone, to be totally honest.”

In the ensuing weeks, Ching participated in radio and television interviews, and even served as a fashion model for a local magazine.

“Brian has given a lot to this organization, to this community,” Dynamo President Chris Canetti said. “He’s beloved by the fans and he’s an important part of our history.”

 For Ching, the response felt overwhelming.

 ”It was pretty emotional, to be honest, the outpouring of support and the welcome back from friends, the community and fans,” he said. “It means a lot to know that you mean so much to an organization.”