HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear declared the team’s season over after a 2-1 home loss to Toronto FC on Sept. 18. The team was eliminated from postseason contention soon afterward, but that has also proven eerily prophetic for Dynamo forward Brian Ching.
Ching is likely out for the remainder of Houston's campaign after suffering either a fracture to his kneecap, a meniscus tear, or both against the 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,” Ching continued. “So I am crossing my fingers, but there’s been swelling the last few days.”
Ching admitted that he would likely be unavailable for the New England match regardless of the outcome of his MRI findings. 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.
