Unbelievable atmosphere, poor result

WELL things don't always go as planned. Tonight was one of those nights where we made a couple of mistakes and got punished. Give them (the Czech Republic) credit. They were a very good team, but going a goal down in the first 5 minutes really put us on our heels.

I really feel that we were shocked and took some time to recover. Once you are behind a good team, it is always difficult to get back into the game because they are going to stay compact defensively and then look to counter. That's all that I really want to say about the game as far as tactics go. I am still really disappointed in the result.

The atmosphere was amazing. To walk out onto the field for warm-ups and have half the people already in their seats was something else. Then to have the U.S. fans chanting, "USA, USA" got my heart beating. There was so much excitement in the air, you could feel it.

What was also nice was my little section of fans. Yes, I have a few, my wife and her family, my mother and brother, and some college friends. There were Hawaiian flags and Aloha signs halfway around the world; you have to love that.

This was my first World Cup game as either a fan or a player and it was the best sporting event that I have ever been to. I told Landon (Donovan) that I am going to go to a World Cup as a fan when I am done playing because I feel that you can do and see so much more. He agreed with me and told me that he is probably going to do the same.

Well I had better get to bed tonight, we are going to have training tomorrow morning for the guys who did not play. We did a little running after the game but tomorrow will be difficult, due to the fact that we need to keep our fitness up. The guys who played close to 90 minutes will do a pool workout so they can start regenerating for Saturday.

Most players have their rituals the night before a game. For me, I like to get a hamstring massage from the trainers. This helps my legs feel fresh and energized for the game. Another part of my routine is taking an ice bath. I totally submerge myself from the waist down in 50- to 60-degree water. Sounds crazy, but a lot of the guys swear by it. I don't know the real science behind it, but I feel like it helps to flush my legs.

On game day, I like to go for a walk in the morning or to ride the stationary bike for 15 to 20 minutes. After a real light sweat, I stretch for 20 minutes before going up to my room and taking a nap. A team meal always occurs 4 hours before kickoff and then I listen to my pregame music on the bus ride to the game.

At the stadium, while we get ready I visualize goals I have scored and what I want to accomplish in the game. This puts me into the right mood and gives me the right attitude for each and every game.

Before our game Monday night, we practiced at the Shalke Stadium for an hour to familiarize ourselves with the venue. The facilities were absolutely amazing. The roof and field are both retractable, the surface is perfectly smooth, and the grass is short. It seems as it continues to heat up here, the excitement continues to rise as well.

Kamehameha graduate Brian Ching is representing the U.S. in the World Cup