Davis' Discussions: Brian Ching Surfs To World Cup

Brian Ching longs to be out beyond the breakers, but not just yet.

"Hopefully living near a beach, surfing every day," the 31-year-old striker said with a laugh when asked by Goal.com on Thursday afternoon where he sees himself in five years.

First, however, he's attending to some unfinished business. The Hawaii native is currently training with United States Men's National Team before their friendly against El Salvador on February 24. While the Americans want a victory after losing their last three -- "With the results that came in January [a 3-1 loss to Honduras], the focus is definitely on going out there, having a good showing, and winning," Ching said. -- the real prize is one of the 23 World Cup roster spots. The striker, who made the 2006 squad but didn't see any action in Germany, knows he has a good shot.

"I feel like I'm battling for a spot," he said. "I don't feel like I've earned anything or deserve anything. Hopefully I can get to form as quick as possible and use the next couple opportunities to show what I can do. If I had to say what my chances are, I'd say 50-50 right now."

His unlikely journey to soccer stardom is well documented. He began his career on the shores of Hawaii and traveled around the mainland with his Honolulu Bulls club team. Gonzaga head coach Einar Thorarinsson spotted the young forward at a tournament and Ching soon found himself in Spokane, Washington. He blossomed as a Zag and still ranks first all-time in assists and third in points.

After an eight-game stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2001, he caught on to the San Jose Earthquakes full-time in early 2003 and earned his first National Team cap later that year. Seven years and 42 appearances for the Stars and Stripes later, Ching is fighting for a World Cup spot.

The striker started throughout most of qualifying, serving as the target man in Bob Bradley's formation. While he didn't score many goals -- an average of less than one every four games throughout his international career -- the manager credited Ching with helping hold up the ball and distribute smartly. (Fans, however, frequently called for the player's head or, at the very least, a new starter.)

The six-foot, one-inch forward made the 2009 Confederations Cup roster but missed the tournament due to a hamstring injury. The emergence of Charlie Davies and Conor Casey during the U.S.'s unprecedented run to the finals pushed Ching out of the Starting XI and he only figured in two of the Red, White, and Blues' five remaining qualifiers. 

In the world of international soccer, nothing is ever set in stone especially with injuries ravaging the U.S. squad. The New Year brings new opportunity for the Hawaiian and while he skipped the January camp to rejuvenate his body and his mind, Ching entered the pre-friendly camp planning to show the American coaching staff he's worthy of one of the World Cup roster spots.

"For the most part, they know what I can bring," he said. "But they need to know if I'm at that level, ahead of that or behind. For me, it's just a matter of showing them that I'm in good form and that I'm improving."

Looking ahead to the summer, chances are that either Ching or Casey will be on the plane to South Africa. Both are in camp, but the Houston Dynamo striker doesn't feel overly competitive with the player some would consider his direct rival.

"I don't look at it as a rivalry or a competition," he said. "If he's training better or someone else is training better at the time, then I can't be mad at them or hoping that he messes up."

In other words, he wants the U.S. to field the best team they can. Of course, he'd like nothing more than to be part of the top 23.

First stop on the "Brian Ching Goes to South Africa '10" tour: a match in Tampa Bay against El Salvador.

"I'm looking forward to going out there and making a statement," Ching said.

Then he's going surfing.

Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com and will be reporting from South Africa during the World Cup.