Ching selected by the Montreal Impact with the first pick in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft
from Houston Dynamo Media Relations department
HOUSTON, TX (Wednesday, November 23, 2011) — Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching was one of 10 players selected by the Montreal Impact with the first pick in today’s MLS Expansion Draft.
Ching, 33, is the Dynamo’s team captain and all-time leading scorer with 63 goals in all competitions and 51 in regular-season play. The 2006 MLS Cup Most Valuable Player was limited to 1,242 minutes in 20 regular-season appearances in 2011 due to injury, the lowest minute total of his Houston career. Despite his injuries, Ching still tied for the team lead with five goals and added a goal and an assist in the playoffs while leading the Dynamo to the Eastern Conference championship. A stalwart of the United States national team, Ching has appeared in 45 games for the Stars and Stripes, netting 11 goals in his international career. Instrumental in the Dynamo’s run to the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup titles, Ching also scored the final Dynamo goal in Robertson Stadium in Houston’s 1-0 playoff win against Philadelphia on November 3.
Welcome to Montreal Brian and family! I hope you come to our wonderful city and help the Impact become the most successful first-year expansion team in MLS history. We have faith in your skills and leadership and if anyone can lead us to success, its you.
Hey Brian!
Don’t close the door to Montreal just yet! It is a GREAT sports city and we love our soccer. I understand your willingness to stay in Houston and I hope this situation will be resolved to everybody’s satisfaction! Whatever happens, WELCOME TO MONTREAL!
Hi there!
I know it must be a tough day for you today Brian, but i just wanted to tell you that we’re really happy to see that you got drafted buy our team
. We’ll hope you’ll give us a chance to show you how good fans we are 
.
Bienvenue à Montréal
Hi Brian,
Welcome to Montréal. Bienvenue!
Some new Montreal fans commenting on here but here’s one from a Houston Ching fan. We are very sad that Ching was chosen but as a fan we are not surprised that he was. He is a very talented player with outstanding leadership skills, with a great heart and loyalty. How could Montreal not want him even if it is for one year to help start off their first year in MLS. How did the decision makers not see that. How do you not protect a team captain? How do u not protect BRIAN CHING? That is our outrage because you cant dangle a diamond and expect for it to get overlooked. Who wouldn’t want Ching even if it is for 1 year. His greatness was underestimated yet again.
There should be a clause that after you have been with a team for so long you are granted immunity from a draft. Let’s call it Ching’s Law.
Brian no matter what happens this fan is with you. You’re the reason i became a big Dynamo fan. I met u on Monday at IAH baggage claim and it was a special moment for me and you signed my Ching scarf i wanted to take my pic with you but was to shy to ask. Afterward I though I’ll see him around here next season. I took that moment for granted and now wish I hadn’t.
You are an incredible person on and off the field . What you have done for Houston will never be forgotten. Don’t hang up them cleats if ur not ready. No matter what color jersey you wear your blood is orange. Your home will always be Houston. U r Dynamo! Praying it all works out and u lead the Dynamo back out onto the new pitch!