Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear declared the team’s season over after a 2-1 home loss to Toronto FC on September 18. The team was eliminated from postseason contention soon afterward, but that may have also proven eerily prophetic for Dynamo forward Brian Ching.
Ching said Tuesday he could miss the remainder of Houston's campaign after suffering either a fracture to his kneecap, a meniscus tear, or both against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday when he collided kneecaps with an opponent. The striker was set to meet with a doctor on Tuesday to review Monday’s MRI results, but he fears that his season is over.
“We did an MRI [on Monday], and the radiologist looked at it,” Ching told MLSsoccer.com. “He said I might have a fracture in my kneecap [or a] potential meniscus tear, but the doctor has to look at it, and we’ll see what he has to say. If it’s a fracture, it’s a four to six-week injury, so I am crossing my fingers, but there’s been swelling the last few days.”
On Tuesday's injury report, Ching's injury was listed as "knee swelling," and it is possible he could return for the final two games based on the outcome of the MRI results. If he is diagnosed with a fractured kneecap or a meniscus tear, the team would likely shut the forward down for the rest of the year. With the team having only pride to play for, there would be no reason to run an injured Ching out to play.
“It’s disappointing, as you never want to be injured,” Ching said. “I knew it was sore, but it wasn’t like it was holding me back [against the Union]. I was looking forward to finishing out the season, and now we just have to wait to see what the doctor says.”
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
