The foundation for a career highlighted by brilliance, awash with individual accolades and club success was for Brian Ching partially set by the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Of this he is certain.
Before crafting a legacy that required a dozen years to complete, a run that yielded three MLS Cup titles including consecutive championships with the Dynamo, for whom he is their all-time leading scorer, Ching burnished his reputation as an amateur with the Spokane Shadow of the Premier Development League in the U.S. Open Cup. The unique format of a single-elimination tournament open to any side with both the gumption and wherewithal to participate enabled Ching to showcase his skill against professionals simultaneous to his maturation at Gonzaga.