Revs Healthy Heading into Final

Houston's Ching Listed as Doubtful

November 14, 2007

By Nick Williams

According to their coach, the biggest difference between the Revolution heading into Sunday’s MLS Cup against Houston and the Revolution that represented the Eastern Conference in the past two finals can be found in the training room.

“The biggest difference we have is we’re healthy,” said Revs’ headman Steve Nicol in a conference call with the media Tuesday. “In previous finals we’ve gone in with players carrying injuries. Two years ago, Shalrie was limping. Last year, Clint Dempsey, we could only bring off the bench. The biggest thing for us really is we’re in good shape and we’re healthy.”

brian Ching

Brian Ching, shown here with Team USA, is listed as doubtful for Sunday's MLS Cup final.

The Revolution come into their third straight MLS Cup and fourth overall sporting nothing more than the normal bumps and bruises that accompany a grueling 6-1/2 month season. In fact, the only difference between Sunday’s lineup and Nicol’s lineup in an April 29 tilt against FC Dallas is that Wells Thompson will start in place of Andy Dorman – a decision based on play, not injury.

The only Revs listed on the injury report for Sunday are Pat Nooonan, who is still listed as probable with a quadriceps strain despite starting 10 straight matches, and Joe Franchino, who was never much a part of this team to begin with, making three second-half substitution appearances before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery July 2.

The Dynamo, on the other hand, could be without Brian Ching, the MVP of last year’s MLS Cup who strained his left calf in the second half of the Dynamo's 2-0 victory over Kansas City in Saturday's Western Conference final.

And although Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said Ching was “doubtful” Tuesday, he wouldn’t make a final decision on his striker’s availability.

“We’re gonna give him every opportunity to prove his fitness to be available Sunday,” Kinnear said.

Ching killed the Revs in last year’s championship game, scoring the tying goal in overtime and making the clinching penalty kick in Houston’s 4-3 shootout victory, so you can excuse Nicol if he’s not losing any sleep over the striker’s injury.

“If Ching doesn’t play, we won’t be too unhappy,” the coach cracked. “But at the same time [Nate Jaqua] and [Joseph Ngwenya] are capable of hotness.”

This year, Ching tied for the team lead with seven goals in the regular season and scored twice in the Dynamo’s first-round playoff series win over FC Dallas. If Ching can’t go, Kinnear will most likely move Ngwenya to forward to play next to Jaqua.

Jaqua scored six goals in the regular season and added another in the playoffs. Ngwenya tied Ching with seven goals in the regular season and has chipped in with two assists in the postseason.

No matter Ching’s status, Nicol said his team will still have its hands full.

“If Ching doesn’t play, obviously that’s one less guy we need to worry about,” Nicol said. “He’s a great player. But on the other hand, Ngwenya is capable of doing a lot of things with the ball.”

Return from Revs Healthy Heading into Final to New England Revolution

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