Earthquakes forward Brian Ching continues to earn accolades for his impressive 2004 season. The Earthquakes Budweiser Scoring Champion and Honda Most Valuable Player was named a finalist today for the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award. The other nominees for the award are D.C. United's Jaime Moreno and the Dallas Burn's Ronnie O'Brien. The winner of the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award will be announced in the week leading up to MLS Cup 2004, which is set for Sunday, November 14 at The Home Depot Center.
Ching, 26, enjoyed a true breakout season in 2004, picking up right where he left off after his 2003 season was cut short by a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Ching recovered from the devastating injury and exploded for a league-leading 12 goals and four assists to become the Quakes Budweiser Scoring Champion. Ching earned MLS Player of the Week honors for his two-goal effort on July 17 vs. Colorado.
Ching was rewarded with his first selection to the MLS All-Star game, where he scored a goal, and also played in his first World Cup Qualifying matches with the United States National Team. Ching impressed at the international level as well, scoring two goals in his first two World Qualifying appearances for the U.S.
