"A lot of the guys in the team are getting their first caps," said Ching, who has 10 goals in 40 international appearances. "But we've come together well and have gelled little-by-little with every game. For a young team, thrown together quickly, that's no easy job." Ching, who took the captain's armband against Panama after Jimmy Conrad's departure, has helped solidify a young team that finished first in its group by coming from behind to win its last two games. "Part of my job is to lead the youngsters by example on and off the field," the Houston Dynamo forward said. "I've been around long enough to know what the coaches want, and I can put a hand on some of the younger guys' shoulders and encourage them when they need it. I can also tell them when they can do things a little better."
Ching was a member of the U.S. team that reached the Gold Cup final last time out in 2007. That team boasted some of the biggest names in U.S. soccer, such as the now absent Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Oguchi Onyewu and Clint Dempsey. "Sure, it's a little weird to look around and see that same shirt but a totally different bunch of guys," he laughed, noting that he's the only returning player from that title-winning team of 2007. "But it's pretty cool too, to see this new generation coming through and bringing this new mentality, this eagerness and enthusiasm."
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