When he talks about Brian Ching, U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley likes to bring up the little things the Houston Dynamo forward does that make him so valuable to the team.
"Brian has qualities on the field," Bradley said. "Putting himself in good position, holding ball, bringing guys into games. He's a player who works hard for the team. Other times he makes players around him better because of the honest dirty work that he does."
On Wednesday night, it was the big things that made Ching invaluable, such as scoring the equalizing goal and helping set up the game-winner in a U.S. 2-1 victory against El Salvador in an international friendly.
After Charlie Davies suffered severe injuries as a passenger in a near-fatal car accident in October, several potential candidates emerged to replace him. While Davies says he will return for the World Cup, he is considered a long shot to play in South Africa this June and July.
The leading candidates to replace Davies include four MLS players who performed Wednesday on the rain-soaked Raymond James Stadium field -- starters Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids) and Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), who replaced Findley in the 68th minute, and of course, Ching, who came on for Casey at the half.
Even after such a fine 45-minute performance, Bradley wouldn't say if Ching went a long way in securing a spot on the team.
"It's too early to tell," Bradley said. "It's 45 minutes. It's a good start."
Barring an injury or falling ridiculously out of form, it would be surprising if the 31-year-old Ching doesn't make the 23-man roster.
Making the squad would be a big deal for Ching. He was a member of 2006 U.S. team, but didn't see a minute on the field in Germany.
"It was a big goal of mine ever since four years ago when I didn't get out on the field," he said. "I was extremely disappointed. Anytime you go to a World Cup, you want to be on the field. I wasn't able to the last time. It was a goal of mine as soon as it ended to put myself in a good position to make a team first of all and hopefully get in and play a little. Hopefully I can continue playing well in big games and get a shot at it."
It's human nature to consider one's chances of making the World Cup team and Ching is no exception.
"I thought about it a little bit," he said. "But you know, when I tend to do that, I stress myself out for no reason. I try not to think about it. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't then I'll be disappointed. But I will give it my all."
As it turns out, Ching could be one of only three or four MLS players who makes the team. So, he realized how important it was for the domestic-based players to show what they could do, even against a team such as El Salvador that is not going to the World Cup.
The USA dominated action from start to finish, outshooting the Salvadorans, 18-3.
"It was an opportunity for a lot of guys that aren't in on a normal basis," he said. "Anytime you get in, you want to try to make a case. I think the MLS has helped the American player over the years. You can see a lot of young, talented guys out there. Hopefully, it will continue to push talent."
Ching is just happy to be around and kicking with the national side. He was bothered by a knee injury late last season. The perfect tonic was to recuperate and not play soccer for two months. Ching wasn't called into the January camp, but was fresher for February.
Ching said his knee was "fine. 100 percent.
"I spent most of January getting physically ready for this season, getting a little bit stronger, hopefully, a little bit faster," he said. "I felt good out there. I think the two months away from the game really helped rejuvenate me mentally and prepare for this year."
That dirty work that Bradley alluded to included getting kicked in the face by defender Marvin Gonzalez in the 71st minute.
Ching got the best revenge by retaliating four minutes later, heading home a perfect left-wing cross from Heath Pearce past goalkeeper Miguel Montes after Rudis Corrales scored against the run of play for the visitors in the 59th minute.
"This game is not a big deal in the scheme of things, but every game you play in front of Bob is a big opportunity," Ching said. "I think a lot of guys went out there today and took advantage of that opportunity."
One of those players Ching was talking about was midfielder Sacha Kljestan, who connected for the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time. Kljestan stripped defender Marvin Gonzalez of the ball and then playing a quick give-and-go with Ching. Kljestan (Chivas USA) had two first-half attempts denied by Montes.
"They were playing out the ball in the back a lot," Kljestan said. "I felt the guy had his head down. He didn't see me coming from his blind side."
After his disappointing play for Chivas USA last season, Kljestan fell off the U.S. chart during crunch time in the latter stages of World Cup qualifying.
"He did great," Ching said. "He started out last year really well, kind of struggled. Every young player goes through a period where they struggle. But he came back from that. Hopefully he learned from that."
During the post-match press conference, Kljestan reiterated what Bradley said about Ching.
"Brian's a guy who makes guys around him better," he said. "It's always easy to play with Ching because he shows up in the tough spots. He puts his body on the line. He holds the ball well and he brings other guys into the play. So when he came on tonight, he obviously had a positive impact. It's always easy playing with him. He does the tough things."
Something Kljestan and his teammates should remember when they step onto the field.
Michael Lewis
covers soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of
BigAppleSoccer.com. He can be reached at SoccerWriter516@aol.com. Views
and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not
necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
