Brian Ching to be player-coach for Houston Dynamo

Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching will serve as a player and assistant coach under a new contract announced by the team on Friday. Ching is an original member

Brian Ching battles for the ball with Whitecaps players during a preseason game :: Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images

Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching will serve as a player and assistant coach under a new contract announced by the team on Friday.

Ching is an original member of the Dynamo and the franchise's career leader in goals (69) and plans to retire after this season. The six-time MLS All-Star has also scored 11 goals in 45 caps with the U.S. national team.

Ching scored 11 goals in 2006, the franchise's inaugural season in Houston. He led the Dynamo to their first MLS championship that season and was named the Most Valuable Player in the MLS Cup. Last season, he played in a career-high 30 games and finished with five goals and five assists.

The Dynamo open the 2013 season against D.C. United on Saturday.