Dynamo's Ching tabbed Player of Week

Houston striker plays key role in his team's three goals

Major League Soccer Communications

Brian Ching helped lead Houston to a clutch win over Toronto with two goals and an assist. (Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK -- Houston Dynamo Forward Brian Ching was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 11 of the 2008 season. Ching played a part in all three of his team's goals, scoring two and providing an assist, in Houston's 3-1 victory over Toronto FC on Sunday. The win propelled Houston into a tie with the Los Angeles Galaxy for first place in the Western Conference.

After controlling the play for most of the first half, the Dynamo broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Ching began the play winning a loose ball in the midfield, which he was able to flick with his head behind the defense to an on running Dwayne De Rosario. As Toronto goalkeeper Greg Sutton dove for the ball, De Rosario chipped it over him and into the back of the net.

Houston began to pull away early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Houston defender Patrick Ianni stole the ball and dribbled down the left sideline. He slotted a ball behind the defense to De Rosario who was making a run into the box. De Rosario sent a ball across the penalty area, where Ching settled it and fired into the top right corner of the goal.

Houston went up 3-0 in the 69th minute when Stuart Holden sent in a cross from the right corner of the field to Ching, who nodded it down past the goalkeeper for his second goal of the game and fifth of the season. Toronto forward Jeff Cunningham sent a left-footed blast into the top left corner of the goal in the 71st minute, but Toronto could not pull any closer.

This is the third Player of the Week award for Ching, who won previously in Week 1 of the 2006 season and Week 16 of the 2004 season while playing for the San Jose Earthquakes. Houston is back in action on Thursday, June 12, at 9 p.m. ET, on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes when they host the New England Revolution.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.

2008 Player of the Week Winners

Week 1: Terry Cooke (Colorado Rapids)
Week 2: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 3: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Week 4: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 5: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 6: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Week 7: Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)
Week 8: Edson Buddle (Los Angles Galaxy)
Week 9: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire)
Week 10: Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
Week 11: Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)