Ching hits 'sweetest' shot of season
Forward scores extra-time winner against Seattle to send Houston into West final
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His goal in the 96th minute was a thing of beauty, and maybe even nicer because of Seattle's success against the Dynamo this season. Coming into Sunday's second leg, the Orange were winless in four games in all competitions against Seattle in 2009.
Mike Chabala started it when he sent a cross over toward Brian Mullan. The ball deflected off a Seattle defender and then Mullan, right into a place where Ching one-timed the ball -- out of mid-air -- past Kasey Keller and just inside the left post.
Pandemonium.
"I forget who crossed it (Chabala), but it was a really great play by Mullan to keep that play alive," said Ching. "I just kind of saw the ball fall to me, my eyes lit up and I probably never hit a sweeter shot that that."
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For a couple of teams that left everything they had on two fields separated by more than 2,000 miles, it ended up being the perfect goal for Houston and a spirit-crushing tally for Sounders FC.
The goal sent the Dynamo into next week's Western Conference Championship, where they will take on the survivor of the first playoff SuperClasico between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. But no matter who they play next week, the Orange can relax and know another defensive performance like they put on display Sunday will get them back to the MLS Cup Final, back in Seattle on Nov. 22.
"We are moving on, and we really have to tip our hats to them," said Ching. "They were a great opponent. They made things tough on us. We're just happy that we finished the game out this time around.
"We will enjoy this moment right now, but tomorrow it is back on to get ready for the next round."
Ching's goal -- his 50th in all competitions as a member of the Dynamo -- was memorable, but goalkeeper Pat Onstad's performance in the Western Conference Semifinal Series cannot be overlooked. In the first leg, it was Seattle that carried play, and Onstad needed several big saves to keep the Dynamo alive for the return to Houston.
Then, on Sunday, his calm demeanor kept the Orange from faltering even when the defense did break down. His best save came in the 10th minute of overtime when Freddie Ljungberg worked his away around the defense and floated a shot that appeared destined for the back of the net.
But Onstad timed it perfectly, knocked the ball away, and he will carry a perfect slate into the West final.
"For there to be two zeros on the board after 90 minutes between these two teams, especially with all the chances in both games, it's pretty remarkable," said Onstad. "I think Freddie will tell you that he was looking for the back post, but it was falling right over me. Fortunately, I was able to get up high enough to tip it over."
Down by a goal, Sounders FC had seven in the box, and sometimes more, but the Dynamo kept anything dangerous from getting close to their veteran 'keeper.
Onstad said when teams get desperate and have to push everything forward, sometimes you just have to hope the ball doesn't find an opening.
"It almost became impossible to pick everyone up at that point," said Onstad. "Everyone was attacking the ball well and we were able to hold on."
There was little mention of last year's 3-0 home loss to New York in the conference semifinals. But Onstad said the thought of that series did creep into his mind before Ching converted one last chance for the Dynamo Sunday.
"Last year was very disappointing. And it's kind of funny because last year, we might have created more chances in those games and we lost," Onstad said. "But the guys did fantastic to stick with it, keep us going and lead us to the next round."
Andrew J. Ferraro is a contributor to MLSnet.com
