The Brian Ching goal that brought Houston Dynamo back from the brink of defeat in last year's MLS Cup might be 12 months old, but it's certainly not forgotten.
When New England and Houston play a championship sequel on Sunday at RFK Stadium, both squads will be fueled by different types of inspiration linked to that ultra-dramatic Ching header. The Revolution, which had gone ahead 1-0 on a goal by Taylor Twellman with the finish line in sight, went into premature celebration mode and watched with anguish as Ching answered with a tying goal just 71 seconds later. Houston went on to claim the Cup on penalty kicks.
New England is intent on never experiencing such a scenario again. After getting so tantalizingly close to a title, the Revolution had the big prize snatched away. A redemption victory would go a long way toward erasing the bitter memory of last year's Ching heroics.
But Houston used that defining play in 2006 to help build its own brand of inspiration leading up to this year's Cup final. That tying goal last year in true boomerang fashion cemented Houston's image as a never-say-die team.
"We had guys who were out of position and still celebrating," recalled New England defender Jay Heaps. "The referee blew the whistle and guys were still kind of gathering themselves. That can't happen, but we let it happen. We have to live with that. It's going to be important, if we do score first, that we don't do it again."
The Ching header came off a long cross from Brian Mullan that first deflected off New England's Avery John.
"It was just a little bit of a letdown and you combine that with an unfortunate bounce, really," said Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst. "If the cross doesn't hit Avery, it doesn't get over my head. It was unlucky."
The Revolution are now forced to take a fourth shot at an MLS Cup, meeting Dynamo again in what is the first rematch of two teams for MLS Cup in consecutive years. Had New England held onto that late one-goal lead last year at Pizza Hut Park, nobody would now be comparing them to the Buffalo Bills, who took four shots at a Super Bowl title without success.
"I don't think we really fell asleep," Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston said. "It was just one of those goals where a guy takes a cross, it deflects off somebody and lands right in stride on Ching's head from eight yards out.
"It was pretty brutal, because we were so high emotionally and feeling we were going to win the thing. And then, to have it taken away a few seconds later was pretty hard."
Ralston would love to be in the same situation again on Sunday. Give New England a late one-goal lead and Ralston is sure the Revolution will do what's necessary to close it.
"If we score first, we'll be ready," Ralston said. "I promise you that. We have to be aware that you are vulnerable at a time like that. We have to be better prepared for that situation if it comes on Sunday."
The Ching header last year showed Dynamo that they can overcome great adversity. If things don't go well at various stages of the game on Sunday, Houston can draw on that history of resiliency.
"In the span of just over a minute, you go from devastation to wondering if a miracle can happen," Houston defender Craig Waibel said. "If we do give up the first goal on Sunday, I don't think it will be a panic situation.
"The way we came back at them in the Cup last year kind of typifies our team. It's a great example of who we are. We don't stop when people think we should stop."
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear agrees that the Ching tying goal in last year's Cup typifies Dynamo's resolve.
"That's our team," Kinnear said. "When we've really been tested, we just have the attitude that there's work to do, but we believe this group can do it. When you've done something hard before, there's an inner strength and confidence you can do it again."
Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
