Ching suffers
season-ending injury
Brian Ching, experiencing a breakout season in Major League Soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes, suffered a season-ending ruptured right Achilles' tendon in a match against the New England Revolution last Saturday.
Ching, a Kamehameha and Gonzaga graduate, was injured in the 10th minute of the match.
"I guess I kind of misstepped. I was stepping back, was going to spring forward to sprint and it just popped on me," said Ching, who had surgery Monday.
The 6-foot-1 striker was third on the team with 14 points on six goals and two assists. In his second MLS season, he was a vital part of the San Jose offense, helping the Earthquakes build a solid lead in the West Division.
"I was having a great year, starting every game, playing well and got a shot at the national team," said Ching. "Everything was falling into place for me. I'm on a great team. The guys have been calling me left and right. Even the guys I played with in L.A. have called. Everyone has been very supportive."
He was originally picked by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS Super Draft, played for the Seattle Sounders in the A-League a year ago and was selected by San Jose with the first overall pick in the Supplemental Draft this year.
The 25-year-old earned his first national team cap in May when he played for the USA against Wales.
Ching expects to be ready for the 2004 season.
"Basically, I have to stay off it for three to four weeks. I'm in a cast and eventually I'll have a boot. Then I'll be able to start putting weight on it and begin rehab," said Ching. "They want me to take my time and be fully recovered when I come back next year. I should be out four to five months."
"This is a devastating injury for Brian and for the team," said Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. "He was having a tremendous season and I think that he was putting himself back in the picture for the national team."
