Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear probably didn't have this particular scenario of replacing star striker Brian Ching for MLS Cup in mind when he acquired Nate Jaqua from the Los Angeles Galaxy at midseason.
But knowing Ching might miss some time on duty the U.S. national team, Kinnear dealt Kelly Gray for Jaqua on July 2.
"A lot of our trades were made with the long season in mind," Kinnear said Tuesday. "We knew Brian would be involved with the U.S. in one of those tournaments [the Copa America or the CONCACAF Gold Cup]. You need someone similar to step in and Brian and Nate are very similar players."
Kinnear hopes the similarity between his two target strikers yields Ching-like dividends from Jaqua in Sunday's MLS Cup. Kinnear said Ching is "doubtful" to feature in the contest after picking up a calf injury in Saturday's Western Conference Championship win against Kansas City.
The U.S. international striker is working up to three times per day with Dynamo trainer Bruce Morgan in order to get fit for the final. Kinnear said he would involve Ching in practices during the week before making a final determination on his status with a pre-match fitness check on Sunday morning.
"We'll give him every opportunity to find his fitness," Kinnear said.
If Ching can't go, Jaqua will almost surely line up alongside Joseph Ngwenya as Houston seeks to be the first team to repeat as MLS Cup champions since D.C. United in 1996 and '97.
Jaqua gave a glimpse of his worth by scoring the first goal in Houston's 2-0 victory against Kansas City in the Western Conference final. Jaqua's leaping header over Wizards defender Michael Harrington and 'keeper Kevin Hartman displayed his finest qualities: getting his head on the ball and challenging the backline.
Kinnear asks Jaqua to do that routinely by deploying him as a target man in the Ching mold, though expecting Jaqua to show off his more-than-adequate foot skills for a striker of his size in build-up play.
"They can hold the ball up and they're dangerous in the box," Kinnear said of his target players.
Danger wasn't a word always associated with Jaqua prior to his Dynamo arrival. The former Fire striker averaged one goal in every four or five games in Chicago (92 games, 21 goals) and struggled upon his move to Los Angeles (10 games, 1 goal), quickly falling into midfield and then out of the team.
But Jaqua scored six league goals in 15 games with Houston and added the winner against Kansas City for good measure to repay Kinnear's confidence.
Kinnear feels the tight confines of Robertson Stadium have helped Jaqua game by allowing him to place constant pressure on defenders and admits he didn't put much credence into Jaqua's Galaxy performance when he acquired him.
"I don't look at past history," Kinnear said. "I know he may have had his problems in Los Angeles, but I've found him very valuable to the way we play."
With Jaqua's fine run of form, it's easy to forget last year's playoff scoring sensation. But Kinnear said Paul Dalglish, who scored twice in last year's Western Conference final and started in last year's final, may also have a role to play on Sunday.
The Scottish striker struggled with injuries all season and found it difficult to stake his claim for a place in the team when fit. Dalglish missed out on the Kansas City contest with a left groin strain, but could be fit after training on Tuesday for the first time in two weeks.
"If the game were today, he wouldn't be included," Kinnear said. "He may make a late push to be involved on Sunday."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
