[ SOCCER ]
Kai prepares for
tryout to play on U.S.
Nordic Cup teamThe Hawaii junior will try to earn
a spot on the squad that will play
in Iceland this July
Natasha Kai has one more training camp with the United States Under-21 Women's soccer team before coach Chris Petrucelli makes the final decision on his 18-player team roster that will defend its Nordic Cup title in Iceland, July 19-30.
That camp is June 21-30 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
"The pressure is always on. New players come in and you don't want them to take your spot," said Kai, who will be a junior with the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine this fall.
"All you can do is go in with confidence in yourself and put out the best you can. Two international trips don't mean anything. Everyone wants to go to Iceland as much as I do, so I just have to play hard."
Kai scored a goal in three of the four matches the U-21s played in Brazil. The only time she was blanked was a 0-0 tie in the first match with Brazil's Women's National Team that will participate in the 2004 Olympics in Greece.
"The Brazilians played a much faster game (than the Chinese). They are quicker with the ball," Kai said. "We picked up on it pretty quick. You have to see the speed of the game early on and make the necessary changes. Their transition was faster on both offense to defense and defense to offense. Their play-making and touches on the ball were unbelievable."
Kai was in her striker position for all four matches, scoring the opening goal in the first match and the game winner in a 3-2 victory in the second match. She had the lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Brazilian WNT in the final match.
"Natasha continues to score quality goals. We're still looking for more from her because her potential is unlimited, but she continues to score against good teams," said Petrucelli, who also compared the opponents on his team's two international trips.
"The Brazilians were athletically really good. They put a lot of pressure on you. China was more technically correct, but they don't have the athletic players like Brazil."
The 2-1-1 record in Brazil was an improvement over the 2003 Brazil trip when the U-21s won just once in four matches. Their 2004 record is 7-2-2.
Kai feels she has improved with each training camp and trip. She follows a workout schedule while here and is getting help with her running program from Michele Nagamine, her club coach with Leahi.
"I came back from each camp knowing there were things I had to work on and I've done that," said Kai who is enjoying her national team experience.
"We are very comfortable with each other, not so comfortable that we're laying back, but comfortable in that we have a lot of confidence in each other's play."
Petrucelli's job is complicated due to his player pool fluctuating with player movement back and forth from the U.S. Women's Olympic team while coach April Heinrichs searches for the right combination of players.
"April will probably name her roster sometime in July. It has been a little difficult for us, but we will have a very talented team going to Iceland once April picks the Olympic roster," said Petrucelli.
He is allowed to have four over-age players on his Nordic Cup roster and with the Women's United Soccer Association not operating this summer, he has a greater number of players from which to choose.
Notes: Kai celebrated her 21st birthday May 22, a day after arriving in Brazil. It was a pretty normal day for the team. "We had practice and went swimming at the hotel pool. The players made me a cute birthday card. It's an original," said Kai. ... The other U-21 loss was to the U.S. National Women's Team.