Dynamo prepares to defend MLS title

WASHINGTON — Brian Ching is exactly where he and the defending Major League Soccer champion Houston Dynamo wanted to be — back in the MLS Cup.

The league's championship showdown today at RFK Stadium is a rematch of last year's meeting between Houston and the New England Revolution.

But Ching, the Dynamo's leading scorer this postseason, is doubtful for the match as he tries to quickly recover from a strained calf muscle in his left leg.

The 29-year-old Ching, a former Gonzaga and Seattle Sounders standout who was the most valuable player in last year's MLS Cup, stretched and strained under the supervision of the team's trainer Friday as the Dynamo's players were put through their paces by coach Dominic Kinnear on a windy and chilly day.

During a physical Western Conference final against the Kansas City Wizards on Nov. 10, Ching heard a pop and fell to the turf in the 60th minute, untouched by the opposition.

"We'll see about Brian; he seems to be making a quick recovery," Kinnear said. "His status is doubtful for the game. It would be tough on him to miss the final.

"He's a big part of our team. Still, the game won't stop for one player."

New England is in the league-championship match for the third straight year, still looking for its first title — though the Revolution did win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last month.

The Revolution is 0-3 in the MLS Cup, and each of those matches went into overtime.

Notes

• World champion Italy qualified for the European Championship and took France along with it by beating Scotland 2-1 on an injury-time goal by Christian Panucci. Spain, Croatia, Poland and the Netherlands also advanced to next year's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Scotland coach Alex McLeish said, "We didn't deserve to lose that game. We battered the Italians in the second half and they were dead men walking at the end."

Israel beat Russia 2-1, putting Croatia into the 16-team tournament and keeping England in realistic contention. England needs at least a draw with Croatia on Wednesday in London. If Russia had won in Tel Aviv, it would have meant virtually certain elimination for England.

• Steve Cherundolo scored in the 27th minute, and the United States beat 2010 World Cup host South Africa 1-0 in Johannesburg in an exhibition match that closed the Americans' first season under coach Bob Bradley.

Bradley is 12-5-1 since he replaced Bruce Arena in December.