Brian Ching Article

Great article on Brian Ching in the Honolulu Advertiser.

Marquee Man

Although leave it to people at Bigsoccer to overreact and see the article as some huge dig against soccer. Good on Brian Ching for being a great representitive for both soccer and Hawaii.

Ching Scores

Hawaii's Own, with another amazing goal, this time to defeat Supporter's Shield winners DC to move within sight of a playoff spot. To see the amazing goal just follow the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuECatf6qaw

The Midweek

Brian Ching
Finally getting a chance to see some action. The local boy came on as a sub against LA Galaxy in Houston's 2-1 win at the Home Depot Center. The announcers made a special point of mentioning that Ching is MLS's only Hawaiian. Interesting. I guess no one counts Duke Hashimoto (although yes, true enough he hasn't appeared in a pro game yet...)

Natasha Kai
Hopefuly playing today verses Mexico. Considering the great pace and accurate shooting shje has displayed against some, occasionally less than adequate opposition, it would be great to see her in action against the Southern Devil.

While I am sure she wants to carve outr her place on the international scence, I am also sure that she can't wait to continue her new career coaching girls high school soccer for the Kahuku Red Raiders.

Hawaiian Soccer Factory
While talking about Brian Ching and in recent news articles about Natasha Kai, reporters have been mentioning Hawaii as an untapped source of raw soccer talent. While none of them seem to have any insight, they have all heard rumors and of course wondered who will be the state's next big export. So far the state's only national caps have come from strikers.

Other news to be added later... the game is on....

Ching Out

Hawaii's top men's soccer player will be out for a month after undergoing knee surgery, despite playing in two more games for his MLS side, Ching believes that he injured himself against Chelsea FC of England during the MLS All-Star game.

"It's a little disappointing, frustrating," Ching said in Monday's editions of the Houston Chronicle. "I feel a little unlucky."

Ching currently has ten goals this season, putting him in fourth for the Budweiser Golden Boot award, despite the fact that he has missed much of the season while on National team duty at the world cup.

Natasha Kai Update

Quoted from: Women's Soccer USA

"A group of senior US WNT players are lobbying coach Greg Ryan to start Natasha Kai (5 goals in 8 games) ahead of Christie Welsh in the upcoming friendlies vs. China and Mexico. (Various)"

Could be a big break for the Hawaii Alum.

For more on here you can check out an earlier post about the amazing pace she has been on.

Natasha Kai, Super Woman

Seven games, five goals, including a goal in each of her first two international appearances, a feat which has only been matched by four other US women internationals. Some might think Natasha Kai is on track to become Hawaii's best International Soccer player, and I would count myself one of them. Of course the list of Hawaiian Internationals is pretty short, but one that has grown quickly lately with Hawaiian son Brian Ching's own international call ups. And with the blistering pace Natasha Kai has been setting on the international level the future of the USWNT does look bright indeed.

There is some comparison to the rapid rise of Eddie Johnson during the men's qualifying, but I doubt the lure of fame and fortune will lead to the same attitude problems that have been reported with EJ. Even with no major domestic league in the US, it still seems a gamble at this point to try playing overseas. And I can only assume that the pay in the W-League or WPSL is a rough equivalent to what is offered in Europe at this time.

So with any luck Natasha will make the USWNT for the World Cup in China. Her success in qualifying and friendlies aside, the talent pool for the USWNT has grown exponentially in depth and quality. So here's to the rise of the Striken Hawaiian or is it the Flyin Hawaiian? Or how bout just Super Woman.