It was my freshman year up on Kamehameha’s Kapalama Campus in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. I was a 5’2”, 86-pound weakling practicing on one end of a soccer field with the Junior Varsity team. On the other side of the field was the Varsity team and Hale‘iwa native, 8’6” and 350-pound Brian Ching* (at least he appeared to be that size in my mind at the time).

“I heard he runs sub five minute miles,” a bunch of us 14-year-olds whispered as we watched him kick lasers from 25 yards out, looking half-myth and half-man. Fast forward a decade and things have changed. I quit soccer after that year to focus on surfing and chasing girls. Brian went on to play for soccer powerhouse Gonzaga University, where he left as the third leading scorer and all-time leader in assists.

After college he played in a couple different leagues for such teams as the Spokane Shadow, Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes (which are the present day Houston Dynamos). The most telling statistic about Brian and his die hard work ethic is winning the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2004 while co-leading the MLS in goals that season– just one year after rupturing his Achilles tendon in 2003. He’s a beast!

In 2006, Brain was chosen to represent the United States in the FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately he didn’t see any playing time, andContrast thinks that may be the reason the U.S. only scored two goals in tournament play. We caught up with Brian in between workouts to discuss growing up on the North Shore and how he’s been kicking ass for the U.S. in the 2010 World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

*Brian is listed as 6’1” 195 lbs on the Houston Dynamos website.


Contrast: You went to Gonzaga University, played professionally in Seattle, San Jose and Houston. Do you still get homesick for the North Shore?
Brian Ching: The thing that I miss most about the North Shore is the ocean. I grew up spending every day in the water. If I wasn’t surfing, I’d be fishing, diving, snorkeling or playing on the beach. Nothing compares to the beaches of the North Shore. Another thing that I miss is the pace at which we move in Hawai‘i. It is a laid back lifestyle that I haven’t found anywhere else.

You’ve had a great performance so far in the 2010 World Cup Qualifying Tournament, scoring four goals in nine matches. What are you looking forward to in the Cup?
I’m looking forward to making the World Cup team and actually playing in a game. I made the last World Cup team in 2006 but didn’t get to play. That left a sour taste in my mouth and gives me great motivation to play hard in this upcoming tournament.

One piece of advice you could give to young soccer players aspiring to get to the next level?
I would tell kids that through hard work you’ll get further than someone who has talent, but doesn’t work as hard. Coming out of Hawai‘i I was a good player, but far from World Cup level. Growing up, I learned a great work ethic watching my mother and was pushed along the way by some good coaches.

You are the first Native Hawaiian to be drafted into professional soccer. If not for that opportunity, what do you think you'd be doing now?
I got an accounting degree in college, but soon found out that that was not what I really wanted to do. There are a couple things that really interest me now: strength and conditioning and the stock market [laughs]. I guess I really don’t know. I would love to say that I would be a beach bum but I’d have to win the lottery first.

Yeah, I’m still waiting for that call too. Do you feel like people treat you differently when they find out you’re from Hawai‘i?
People seem to love people from Hawai‘i. I think that is because of the Aloha mentality that we have and share. People have such a great impression of visiting Hawai‘i that it brings up good memories for them when they find out that I am from there. I am constantly hearing stories of how people can’t wait to go back and how much they loved it there. We are pretty lucky to have grown up in paradise.

What’s your favorite surf spot on the North Shore?
My favorite surf spot in Hawai‘i would have to be Walls in front of my mom’s house in Hale‘iwa Town. It’s walking distance for me, right out in front of Kiaka Park.

Yikes, that place is sharky. What’s your favorite place to grind (eat) in Hale‘iwa?
There are a few places that I like: Hale Wai Drive Inn, Matsumoto’s Shave Ice and Hale‘iwa Joes.

Nice! Those are all walking distance from mom’s house. [Laughs]