Ching rolls out welcome wagon for Dynamo rookies Ching welcomes additions with open arms

Dynamo great aims to be more of a leader in 2011

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By the time rookies Kofi Sarkodie, Will Bruin, Alex Dixon and Josue Soto were introduced to the media Wednesday afternoon, Brian Ching was already heading out of the Dynamo’s offices. The All-Star forward wasn’t part of the proceedings, but he definitely had made his mark on the Dynamo’s newest players an hour earlier.

Ching, the Dynamo’s all-time scoring leader, took time out of his schedule to go meet the team’s top two draft picks — Sarkodie and Bruin. He also drove up to congratulate Soto and Dixon, the two former Dynamo Academy products who signed developmental contracts with the club Wednesday.

With nine weeks remaining before the Dynamo open the regular season, Ching didn’t want to wait until Monday’s start of preseason camp to offer assistance and leadership to the team’s youngest players.

“I don’t think I did a good enough job last year being a leader,” Ching said. “I want these guys to feel as comfortable as possible, because I think you do better when you’re comfortable. I wanted them to know that if they have any questions, I’ll help them out.”

Dixon, an Atascocita High graduate who began playing soccer as a child with the Texas HeatWave, practiced numerous times over the past three summers with the Dynamo first team between semesters at the University of North Carolina. Soto did the same during his four seasons at SMU, so neither of the Dynamo’s two homegrown players needed an introduction with Ching.

Sarkodie, a speedy right back, heard from Ching soon after he was picked out of Akron seventh overall in last week’s MLS SuperDraft.

“It says a lot,” Sarkodie said of Ching’s visit. “That tells you … two very important things — A) he cares about you as an individual, and B) he’s a great leader. All the championship teams have to have great leadership.”

Dynamo coach Dom Kinnear, left, may have found his right back of the future in first-round draft pick Kofi Sarkodie. Dynamo coach Dom Kinnear, left, may have found his right back of the future in first-round draft pick Kofi Sarkodie. Photo: Ned Dishman, Getty Images Photo: Ned Dishman, Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Ching rolls out welcome wagon for Dynamo rookies 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Bruin, a target forward out of Indiana University, might eventually inherit Ching’s role in the Dynamo’s starting lineup.

For now, Bruin is just eager to learn from the MLS veteran and former U.S. national team member.

“He’s one of the all-time greats in United States soccer … and it just kind of had me speechless a little bit,” Bruin said of meeting Ching. “I’m thinking, ‘I’m just a young guy coming in here, and he’s welcoming me.’ It’s like a dream come true.

“That just shows me that he’s stepping up and taking the leadership. That tells me that it’s his team coming in, and that’s a great leader right there.”

jesus.ortiz@chron.com