Donovan, Ching highlight West final
Forwards lead respective clubs against each other Friday night
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The Galaxy's Landon Donovan, arguably having the finest season of his professional career, scored the game-winning goal in last Sunday's 1-0 victory against Chivas USA that put the Galaxy one step from the MLS Cup championship game on Nov. 22 in Seattle. Houston's Brian Ching won his game for the Dynamo in extra time last weekend in the second leg of their semifinal series with Seattle Sounders FC.
This will mark the third time the teams have met in 2009, with the Galaxy holding a 1-0-1 advantage, but the spotlight clearly will be on Ching and Donovan, long-time teammates with the U.S. men's national squad. The Galaxy's Bruce Arena, who has coached both of them, admires Ching for the physical dimension he brings.
"He's very dominant in the air," Arena said. "He's unique among big target players because he has soft feet. He can beat you with his head, his feet, he can score with his left foot and right foot. He's a complete forward who requires complete concentration from the back line.
"He's a proven goalscorer who scores in big games."
Donovan, who tied for third among MLS goalscorers this season with 12, also is a big member of the Ching fan club.
"First and foremost Brian is competitive," he said. "When he plays cards he's competitive. But what's overlooked is Brian reads the game very well, he understands the game and he knows where he should be.
"He's a handful."
Ching, in turn, praised Donovan for his ability to make a difference.
"He's always been a confident guy," Ching said, "but I think this year he realizes he can change the game and he goes out there with that mentality. In the past his confidence took a hit here and there, but he's come to play every single game and he's getting results.
"He's probably the guy that is the most dangerous in MLS as far as stepping up when it matters. We'll be cognizant of wherever he is on the field."
Ching, who led the Dynamo during the regular season with 8 goals (and 3 assists), isn't the only player the Galaxy must watch closely on Friday. There also are Stuart Holden (6 goals and 4 assists), Brad Davis (5 goals and 12 assists, which tied Colorado's Omar Cummings for the league lead) and Cam Weaver, who scored 4 goals after arriving from San Jose.
Arena said has been impressed with the Dynamo for a long time.
"They're arguably the best team in MLS," he said, "and probably has been over a number of years. They're balanced all over the field."
The anchor of the defense is goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who led MLS with 13 victories and had a 0.97 goals-against average. Arena also called Geoff Cameron "possibly the best defender in the league."
"It's a fabulous challenge for our team," Arena said.
Donovan did not play in the Galaxy's 1-0 victory on June 28 and played only one half of a 0-0 tie in a rematch in mid-October -- both absences were because of national team duty -- and has been impressed with the Dynamo, too.
"Defensively they're as good as any team in the league," he said. "It likely will come down to one or two plays to decide it."
Ching said Los Angeles "has gotten the better of us" this season, mostly because of a stunning turnaround in the defense. The Galaxy, who allowed a league-high 62 goals, cut that total in half in 2009.
"They made a tremendous turnaround being the worst defense to one of the best in the league," he said. "Anytime Landon Donovan is in the playoffs, whatever team he's on, we know they're going to be a dangerous opponent. They're playing well right now."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com
