Action Can’T Stop Ching Shadow Midfielder Provides Spark In 2-0 Victory On Road

They call Brian Ching “the Human Highlight Film.” The Spokane Shadow midfielder was unreel again Friday night.

Ching turned two 1-on-3 situations against the Abbotsford Action into goals, sparking the Shadow to a 2-0 USISL Premier League Northwest Division soccer victory at Rotary Stadium.

The Shadow (8-2 league, 10-4 overall), who had manhandled the provisional Action (0-4) 7-0 in a May meeting in Spokane, had its work cut out this time. Ching and goalie Josh Fouts were the difference.

Thirty-five seconds after Chad Brown just missed breaking a scoreless tie, Ching took a quick pass from Joe Mack, outmaneuvered three Abbotsford players and drilled a shot under goalie Phillip Amos at the 63-minute mark. It was the 11th goal in league play for Ching, the division scoring leader, and 14th overall.

Ching set up Spokane’s second goal 13 minutes later. He held the ball, drew three defenders to him, then threaded the needle to Alika Cosner. Cosner drew Amos out of the net, dribbled past him and chipped in a shot over an Abbotsford defender for his third goal.

The Shadow, who visit the Vancouver 86ers tonight (the game won’t be on radio), continued to pressure the Action while protecting Fouts’ fourth shutout.

Shadow 2, Action 0

First half - No scoring. Second half - 1, Spokane, Ching (Marks), 63:00. 2, Spokane, Cosner (Ching), 76:00.

Shots on goal: Spokane 8, Abbotsford 7. Saves: Spokane, Fouts, 5; Abbotsford, Amos 5.