Chattanooga FC Academy players are invited to train with US Soccer legends Stuart Holden and Brian Ching this week in Chattanooga.

The session is a fundraiser for the CFC Foundation, which works to make soccer available to more youth in the area.

Since the USMNT will be in town for the friendly against Jamaica it is highly likely other special guests from 2017 US Men's National Team will stop by.

The session is Thursday, February 2 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on the site of our turf partner, Chattanooga Christian School. The $100 cost is more than a typical training session because this not a typical session. Remember it is a fundraiser with proceeds supporting the CFC Foundation.  

In order to keep the training sessions small, only a limited number of spots are available. Players of all abilities aged 10-17, including non-CFCA players, are welcome to register.

"We are so fortunate to have Stuart Holden and Brian Ching help us develop a love of the game here in the Scenic City" said Krue Brock, CFC Foundation chairman.

"These kids are getting an amazing opportunity to learn from some of the best to have played for our country, and I can't wait to see which potential special guests will show up from this year's team," Brock added.

Stuart Holden is a retired American professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. Holden was recruited to play college soccer at Clemson. After one season, he signed to play professionally for Sunderland in the English Premier League. He would later play for the Houston Dynamo in the MLS. Holden represented the United States at under-20, under-23 and senior levels. He made his senior debut in July 2009 against Grenada and scored his first goal during that game. He was part of the United States squad at the 2008 Summer Olympics, 2009 and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since his debut, Holden has gained 25 caps and scored three goals. Following recurring knee problems, Holden announced his retirement in 2016. 

Brian Ching is the managing director of the Houston Dash. An American retired professional soccer player, Ching played for twelve years in Major League Soccer and represented the U.S. national team for eight years. Ching's professional career began when he was the 16th pick overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft after playing college soccer at Gonzaga. He also played for Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes where he won an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield. In 2006, Ching relocated to Houston when the Earthquakes team became the Houston Dynamo. He led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and four MLS finals overall. A six-time MLS All-Star, Ching retired from professional soccer in 2013 as Houston Dynamo's all-time leading scorer. Ching made his international debut May 26, 2003, becoming the first Hawaiian-born player to represent the United States. He became the first Hawaiian to be named to the U.S. roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The Chattanooga FC Foundation's purpose is to promote and develop the game of soccer in the Chattanooga area, as well as leveraging the social and cultural power of soccer to unite people of different cultures. The foundation's goal is to develop facilities, provide equipment and other resources for soccer players of all ages, races and backgrounds.