CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Kahuku and Hawaii alumna Natasha Kai is working with young soccer players at clinics in Hawaii this weekend.

Kai brings national team to Hawaii

Natasha Kai's soccer journey from Kahuku High School standout to Hawaii's all-time leading scorer to the United States National Women's Team is a dream come true for the 23-year-old striker.

At a press conference last week, Kai mentioned how she told her parents at age 5 that some day she would be in the Olympics.

Would the FIFA Women's World Cup in China this September be just as good as the Olympics? Absolutely.

Kai and 14 other members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Player's Association finish two days of clinics for Hawaii's youth players today at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park.

This contingent of America's top players is emphasizing physical fitness, the setting of goals and the dedication needed to achieve those goals.

Kai revealed she wasn't really sure she wanted to attend college but her accomplishments during four years with the Rainbow Wahine earned her a tryout with the U.S. Under 21 women's team. That led to an invitation to train with the national team in January 2006.

She made her debut with the WNT at the Algarve Cup on March 11, 2006, against Denmark and scored 3 minutes after entering the match in the 73rd minute. That event determined whether Kai would be offered a contact.

Now a professional, Kai has 20 matches worth of experience with the WNT, has scored seven goals and recorded two assists.

The biggest challenge for Kai a year ago, according to WNT coach Greg Ryan, was for her to learn to play with her new teammates. Ryan also pointed out that Kai's teammates would have to learn her strengths and how to play with her.

"We have been playing together for a year and we are finally connecting," Kai said. "I think we are comfortable playing with each other."

When Ryan plays three strikers, Kai is on the right when Abby Wambach is in the middle. When Wambach is not in the lineup, Kai moves to the center.

Kai's biggest improvement is her defensive play.

"I've learned how to play defense when we play three strikers. I wasn't used to that kind of playing in Hawaii," Kai said. "Defense wasn't as important as we thought, but it really is important. If we pressure good enough, the other team has fewer chances to score.

"I kind of stumbled with defense in the beginning. It wasn't my strength, but we practice it every day and it is getting better."

Despite being on a journey that could have a long run at the highest level, Kai said, "It's still soccer. It's still fun. I love the game."

Ask about a highlight during the past year and she doesn't talk about a goal or a win.

"It's just getting the opportunity to step on the field and represent my state and my country," Kai said.

"Every game is really meaningful. We get upset when we tie. It feels like a loss."

Since Ryan became coach in 2005, the WNT has compiled a 31-0-7 record. The team recently returned to the No. 1 spot in the latest FIFA rankings.

Kai returns to Carson, Calif., on April 1 for the start of Residency Training Camp at the Home Depot Center the following day.

Ryan usually has 24 to 30 players in camp at one time from the national pool that includes a healthy mix of veterans and young players.

When the WNT went to the Four Nations Tournament in China in January, Ryan's 20-player roster included 14 players under the age of 24, the youngest team ever to represent the U.S. in a major international tournament.

"This is a very special team. We're all here to do a job and that's to win," said midfielder Shannon Boxx, who has 59 WNT appearances. "We have bonding sessions, but we all love the game and that is a bond in itself."

The WNT has several exhibition matches scheduled in the coming months.

It is expected that Ryan will name his 21-player roster for the World Cup toward the end of July.