Conspicuous absences mark Dynamo camp

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For the first time since their inaugural 2006 season, the Dynamo opened preseason camp Monday without forward Brian Ching and defender Eddie Robinson on the roster.

Robinson retired. Ching, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, is a member of the expansion Montreal Impact.

Even without Robinson, the Dynamo's defense is stacked with depth. But there's no denying the need for offense.

The 2011 Eastern Conference champion Dynamo began adjusting to life without Ching as they prepare to open the season March 11.

"It's different not coming in and at least seeing (Ching) play," said All-Star midfielder Brad Davis, who is not completely recovered from the right quadriceps injury he suffered during the Eastern Conference final. "I played with him for seven years. In the other end is Eddie (and) not seeing Eddie's face.

Steady Robinson

"Everybody talks about Ching, but (Robinson is) another guy who has been here for an awful long time and done some pretty good stuff for this organization. Not having those two faces out here, it is a little bit different. But as we talk about it, that's the nature of the sport."

Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching (25) is upended on a challenge by New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) less Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching (25) is upended on a challenge by New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. ... more Photo: Elise Amendola, STF Photo: Elise Amendola, STF Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Conspicuous absences mark Dynamo camp 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Ching, who captained the team since 2010, is a major reason the Dynamo appeared in three MLS Cup finals and won two over the franchise's six seasons. Robinson didn't play much last year, but he was a key defender on the teams that won titles in 2006 and 2007.

Davis is the last remaining player from the original 2006 team that made the move from San Jose after the 2005 season.

"It feels odd," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "I think two years ago, it felt odd without Stuart (Holden) and Ricardo (Clark) being out here. …There's been guys that had been here for a while who aren't here anymore, and they've all been very influential. It's weird at first, but once the ball gets going, it's like when you make a trade in the middle of the season."

New captain

Davis served as captain while Ching was injured or unavailable to start last year, and he's likely to wear the captain's band this season.

The Impact picked Ching in the expansion draft in November, and the Dynamo have made multiple trade offers for him.

The Dynamo also have tried to sign veteran forwards as designated players. Scottish forward Kris Boyd, who once starred for Glasgow Rangers, spurned an offer.

Boyd attended a Rockets game last week with Kinnear and Dynamo president Chris Canetti on a three-day recruiting trip.

But after mulling an offer over the weekend, he decided against signing.

"We tried our best to bring (Boyd) here," Kinnear said.

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